Thin tear in convertible top

[joshelson]

Ugh. Just got home today and some little gremlin (or perhaps unlucky weather?) has put a 1.5 foot thin tear in my 1999 Boxster convertible top. The tear appears to be completely clean, as made with a knife, and is essentially straight.

What are my options for fixing this? I'd really like to avoid having to replace the top (what's the worst case cost on this, just so I can grimace in pain?). Since the cut is clean, I'm wondering if a professional could possibly just stitch up the tear, but I don't know if this is realistic.

Anyone else dealt with this before? Sigh. I guess I'm going to seek some Crown to drown my misery.

Any help/ideas/experiences appreciated!

Josh

[stumpjumper]

Ugh. Just got home today and some little gremlin (or perhaps unlucky weather?) has put a 1.5 foot thin tear in my 1999 Boxster convertible top. The tear appears to be completely clean, as made with a knife, and is essentially straight.

What are my options for fixing this? I'd really like to avoid having to replace the top (what's the worst case cost on this, just so I can grimace in pain?). Since the cut is clean, I'm wondering if a professional could possibly just stitch up the tear, but I don't know if this is realistic.

Anyone else dealt with this before? Sigh. I guess I'm going to seek some Crown to drown my misery.

Any help/ideas/experiences appreciated!

Josh

speaking from experience with marine canvas only, you probably could patch it, but with the tension put on the top you'd probably need a very large patch no matter how clean the tear was, you'd also have to take the top off and put it back on again

if I had to do that, I'd think it were a perfect time to try out one of the glass tops mentioned in this thread http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...03&hl=glass+top

they seem to go between $700 and $900 depending on where you look and what color you want, and should be installable by somebody who's mechanically inclined in an afternoon

there have been reports of the early GAHH tops having problems with the adhesive letting go and the glass and top separating, but the new ones aren't supposed to have that problem though I personally haven't found confirmation of that

whichever way you go, good luck :)

[djantlive]

You should do a few cycles of top down/up to find out what cause the tear before fixing it. Is it perfectly straight? Is this possibly an act of vandalism? If so, perhaps your insurance should cover it (if you have a low deductible). I'd agree to replace the top since stitching or patching will leave a mark and possible compromise waterproofing of top. Go with a GAHH top w back glass. Many are very satisfied with them.