vw mk1 convert hood repair any ideas

Anyone had any success repair rips in the convert hood patching ect.. using glue and vinyl
 

vwoldmad1 said

Anyone had any success repair rips in the convert hood patching ect.. using glue and vinyl
 

Well you need to talk to Carl as he's the Guru on them.
chortle

Might help if you explain with pictures and text first what issues you have to save time as Carl is a professional when it comes to convertible tops! 😉 👍🏼

IMHO, and I have seen my fair share of attempts at hood repair, (myself included) all repairs of torn tops are a Placebo, make you feel good, can look good or iffy, and will eventually leak again.

Over the years I have seen my fair share of duct tape jobs.





As well as glued tops using a vinyl glue underneath and silicone to seal it from above.  

The issue becomes repetitive as the top is under tension, that the Tape has issues with, and shrinkage as the silicone or patch can't stretch enough.  I have also seen Iron-on Patches applied to Canvas tops as well.

Patching is a Placebo, all patches will leak eventually if not sooner than later, and if you open the top will let go especially if it is on a fold.  

The only true repair is replacement of the hood itself, and the condition of the headliner and pad is what makes it a full restoration or partial.

Headliner ok, but pad and top shot.
Headliner ok, pad iffy and only the outer skin is shot.

I have had a patch stay water tight for about a year, but that was on my MG Midget whose top was sliced. The MG tops weren't as water tight or taught as the VW's.

Replacing a top isn't a daunting job, but it does require attention to details and you can't skip and hop about.  
There is a specific order to replacing them, and adjustments that have to be made or re-broken and remade anew to insure that you have a leak proof and serviceable top for years.

Is vinyl better than Cloth? no, not really, both if installed correctly will last about the same if taken care of.  

IMHO Mohair or Cloth as I call it looks nicer than Vinyl, but then depends on the original specs, and color.

I only recommend patching as a interim.  As until you can get enough coin for a replacement.

I tried Duck/gaffer tape on a small tear, it's ok for a couple of months then the tape starts to come off, the tape comes off even quicker in the winter as tape does not like the frost.
I've also tried some rubber matting glued underneath the hole and again that did not work very well.

When I tried to repair my roof it was old and I did not take down the roof.

The best bet is fit a new roof, £180 - £200 for a vinyl roof depending on colour if you fit it your self.

You will need to buy, glue, rear tension cable, I made my own side tension cables or buy new, windscreen sealant, stainless steel staples, staple gun or very good hand gun, silicone lube to cover the staples, double sided foam gasket.
Some sort of glue remover is also handy.

I bought most of the stuff last time I changed my roof 8 years ago so I had alot a things already.

Theres a good guide on here and I'm replacing mine this week, the nice thing about doing it yourself is you can do any repairs/treat any surface rust etc while you have the roof off and as long as you have a garage etc to keep it dry.


You can see how bad my roof got with all the tape over it in my thread, I'm changing it again since these pictures!
(Pictures seem to be working for me???)

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fmy-daily-drive-1988-gti&kfs79=180


 

mark1gls said

The best bet is fit a new roof, £180 - £200 for a vinyl roof depending on colour if you fit it your self.


Theres a good guide on here and I'm replacing mine this week, the nice thing about doing it yourself is you can do any repairs/treat any surface rust etc while you have the roof off and as long as you have a Heated garage etc to keep it dry.


You can see how bad my roof got with all the tape over it in my thread, I'm changing it again since these pictures!
(Pictures seem to be working for me???)

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=projects%2Fyour-mk1-golfs_2%2Fmy-daily-drive-1988-gti&kfs79=180


 

Fixed it for you and nope I can't see the picture.

It is best practice for me, and I have replaced a few tops as well,  to have a heated work area.  The top is more subtle and stretchy if it is warm rather than cold.

I have 2 sets of 500 Watt Quartz Halogen Lamps that I use to warm up mu insulated but unheated garage to about 80 degrees when it is cold here as in the 20's or 30's F.  I know that in the summer when I have them on for what nots, it can get over 120 in my garage, so that I have to have a few fans running to keep it cool.

Lucky man to have heated garage.
80 degrees f is a hot summers day in the UK, lucky if we get 60 at this time of year and every one says it hot.    How do you work at 120! Very hot and I’ve never know it that hot in the uk, everyone hides in the shade and gives up working when it gets to 90!

I can under stand why you have air con in your cars etc.

thanks for all the replys
its a old top and I'm selling car soon so don't want to shell out for a new one to be honest
its split on the rear seam where it hooks under the body
bad place to rip lots of tension on that part
I will see how I can repair it just to get it water tight for now

Repair the roof and tell the buyer it's £200 ish for a new roof or £350-£400 ish fitted but you may need to reflect this in the selling price.
The golf roof is still a lot cheaper to replace than many cabriolet out there.

Can you add pics… it's s shame winters on it's way.. but get somewhere dry. Check rear window frame, not rusty…or find replacement,chortle or Mark Carter's both work. Pick a material, mohair is nice, expect 2 weeks lead time, have a set of cables new ..long tension cable and side cables. Check pad (thermal and reduces damage to material from frame, maybe salvaged, check inner liner if ok no need to change.
Roof better fitted in dry and warm conditions to allow stretch. So garage or like mentioned heater lamps. Carl chortle did one of my cabbies in December, was in out of garage due head height, made sure car and roof was heated to get final stretch into the material.

thanks