Top repair

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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spiderman1
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:47 am
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat Spider
Location: Greensboro, NC

Top repair

Post by spiderman1 »

I have a 1/4 inch tear in my top about the thickness of a razor blade-What is the best way to seal this?
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mattyd7
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:39 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Location: Nashua, NH

Re: Top repair

Post by mattyd7 »

Vinyl or canvas?

If vinyl, they sell those repair kits that you can color to match, then you finish with the tool to give the right surface texture to the repair.

If canvas, I don't know much about it, but it can be done. Probably would need to take it to an upholstery shop or maybe look into marine canvas repair.
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Top repair

Post by DieselSpider »

For a patch to last until you can replace the top you can use TearAid just choose the vinyl or canvas version.

For a longer lasting repair you can use a hi temp contact cement to apply a canvas patch to the underside of the top and then apply the Permatex Vinyl/Leather repair to the surface using the supplied heating tool and grain pattern papers. The black worked well on my boot which was torn up but still pliable so I gave it a shot. The sheen will probably be a bit different than the surrounding area and when you apply the heat tool you will need something to hold under the area being heated to keep in flat and free of dimples.
spiderman1
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:47 am
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat Spider
Location: Greensboro, NC

Re: Top repair

Post by spiderman1 »

where do I get that product? I am 90% sure my top is vinyl not cloth what is the best way to tell the difference? Where is the best place to find a used boot for sale?
DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Top repair

Post by DieselSpider »

Tear Aid is available at Dicks Sporting Goods, Walmarts, Amazon, West Marine, Camping Goods Stores, Swimming Pool Supply Stores, etc.

http://tear-aid.com/

http://tear-aid.com/Tear-AidStoreLocator.htm
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