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  1. #1

    Default Covertible top repair

    Is there a way to repair these small splits befor they get any worse? Did some searching on line but not finding much other than tape or glue.

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    Any input would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
    Matthew

  2. #2
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default turning into a rag top

    Lots of diy on line, even video.
    A local auto upholstery shop or boat cover will fix it best.
    Would say. as it is fabric, sewing a patch would be strongest.
    Like a pr of jeans, tent, or boat canvas.
    Will show. Black top would be easier to hide.
    Sealer and patch. Find an old umbrella to cut up.
    Top is worn thin, again like old jeans.
    A leaky roof is not good.
    Fix one spot, new one opens up.
    New top time is closing in.

  3. #3
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
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    Default

    Material is probably starting to rot. Sewing a patch is at best a temporary fix. Maybe try a patch for hip waders if you don't have the cloth headliner in the way

  4. #4

    Default

    The big one is smaller that a penny. Car has about 30k on it. I may just go with a new top. I need to find someone in the Charlotte area that has done tops on Fox bodies before and has a good rep. I trust very few people doing work on the car. I do most of the work myself but I know nothing about top replacement so I need somebody. Probably looking @ about $2k?

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    Last edited by 86FOX4EYE; 06-15-2018 at 11:22 AM.

  5. #5
    FEP Power Member
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    Default

    A new top is about $1000 to $1500 installed. You will spent a couple hundred patching. Save your money and put it towards a new top. Be warned, there are bad times to do it. Shops book up in the fall when everyone wants to weatherproof their cars.
    Fox Body/3rd Gen MCA Gold Card Judge
    84 SVO 24K miles, 85 Mclaren Capri Vert. 84 GT Turbo Vert.
    88 Mclaren Mustang Vert 20K miles, 89 Mustang LX Sport Vert,
    03 Mach 1 7900 miles, 74 Mustang II, 69 Mustang, 67 Mustang, 07 GT500,
    14 Mustang CS/GT, 15 F150 FTX Tuscany, 16 F250 Crewcab, 67 Tbird 47K miles

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    Default

    For sure time for a new top. When mine started to rip I used cloth gaffing tape to hold me over till I got a chance to replace the top myself.

    I've never done a top until I did mine myself. Not really that hard to do. I have a DVD I bought that goes step by step on a Fox Mustang and notes from the Chilton manual as well as downloading some vert top replacement guides. Hardest part was getting it to stretch with no wrinkles.
    Simple hand tools, strong 3M glue, staple gun with galvanized staples. I replaced the top, pads, cables, glass window and header weather strip. All those parts were about $600. Took me 6 hours total to do the job.




    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
    68 Coupe Inline-6 3-Speed-Man. Primer
    78 II Hatch 302 3-Speed-Auto Sunroof Black
    81 4-Eye Coupe 4-Banger 4-Speed-Man. White

  7. #7
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default

    Friend Tony did niece's 88 verti while back.
    Worked for ASC and others. Does pro work.
    Asked him hardest part of top install.
    Wrinkles, creases. Think it was the rear 1/4 part.
    Just smiled when pursued question further.
    I know he said seat cover wrinkles are done with heat.

  8. #8
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default

    Laughing to myself about using tire patches inside.
    And color matching house caulk outside.
    Funny how they used to 'balloon' up on the freeway.
    Do they still do that?

    https://www.americanmuscle.com/conve...all-guide.html

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gr79 View Post
    Wrinkles, creases. Think it was the rear 1/4 part.
    Agreed........but after mine sat in the sun for a few days those wrinkles went away.


    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
    68 Coupe Inline-6 3-Speed-Man. Primer
    78 II Hatch 302 3-Speed-Auto Sunroof Black
    81 4-Eye Coupe 4-Banger 4-Speed-Man. White

  10. #10

    Default

    Im just about finished up replacing my top. I’m very happy with the results. It is doable at home as long as you buy a $30 stapler and a $10 staple puller. The hardest part is keeping wrinkles out of the quarters next to the back glass.

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    84 LX Vert. 5.0 5speed canyon red on white
    99 cobra, electric green on medium parchment, vortech s-trim

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