Download Article

Download Article

Modern soft convertible car tops often have glass windows glued to the cloth, vinyl or other soft material with a melted plastic strip instead of a clear vinyl window sewn to it. If and when the drinking glass comes unstuck -- sometimes due to the canvas shrinking from neglect or otherwise -- information technology can be very difficult to reattach. Double-sided foam record such equally 3M VHB tape (what one author used, others could be OK as well) tin can reattach them, but should be applied in a specific manner to avoid abiding strain that will break its bond.

Steps

  1. 1

    Reattach the soft elevation material ("canvas") to the glass when just function of the canvas has discrete so that the glass does not have to be re-centered within the hole in the canvas. If it does have to exist re-centered one might do that by measuring distances with the defrosting grid equally a guide and, in whatever case, holding the glass temporarily in identify with gaffer's or other sticky record.

  2. 2

    Open up the top slightly so that it is not taut. Prop something such as a small empty box between the forepart edge of the top and the upper edge of the windshield frame so that the top stays open up slightly.

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Discover the seal that was attached merely has become unattached, such as the lower border of the exterior layer of canvas. [1] If dirt has accumulated in the pocket that has been exposed to the weather you may wish to vacuum out any large particles.

  4. 4

    If only a very small office has separated leave it lonely. If a large part is mostly separated you may wish to separate information technology entirely to re-seal it as one continuous piece.[2]

  5. 5

    Clean the mating surfaces with rubbing booze.

  6. six

    Shut the roof completely to see where the canvas falls on the drinking glass when pulled gently flat equally far in on the glass as it will go, only not pulled hard. At to the lowest degree in the case of cotton canvas, this will probably exist not as far up onto the drinking glass as originally (or as on a withal-fastened inside layer) because it will accept shrunk since new.

  7. 7

    Re-open the roof slightly and re-prop information technology.

  8. 8

    Apply a strip of double-sided cream tape such as 3M VHB ("very high bond")--foam and then that it will conform to whatsoever irregularities, preferably blackness so ultraviolet rays will not promptly destroy its exposed edge--to the glass with the edge coming up to the point you lot adamant previously. [3]

  9. 9

    Bring the eye of the area being attached (such as the heart, left-versus-right-wise of the bottom exterior canvas) upward to the edge of the record. Information technology should have just a little slack, since it needs to be pulled basically smoothen simply not taut when the top is closed. Simply a little slack when the meridian is closed is much better than tension, which will unstick the tape.

  10. 10

    Stick the canvas to the tape, working outward. The reason to work outward from a central indicate is so that any "excess" fabric does not build up at one side.[four]

  11. xi

    Rub down the sheet over the tape firmly and employ some oestrus--not a bully painfully hot amount--with a accident dryer for a thorough bond.

    • The convertible top should be fixed.

    12. Advertisement

Add New Question

  • Question

    How much will it toll to supersede the acme with the original window?

    Community Answer

    I have a 2007 Mustang convertible. The window is separating from the textile top. I went to two convertible acme/upholstery shops, and both told me the window is heat sealed and the entire top needed to exist replaced, and both gave me a toll of $1,900.

  • Question

    I have in my garage a Corvette convertible with a canvas top in swell condition. The seal effectually the glass rear window has popped, volition this procedure work?

    Community Answer

    I used 3M window weld on our 2004 Volvo C70 top and it worked great! Make sure y'all get as much of the erstwhile agglutinative off equally possible. Put the 3M primer on starting time and let it dry for nearly x minutes. Put a bead (about 3/xvi) of window weld on information technology. Clamp information technology in place. I used some paint stirrer sticks & C clamps. Let it sit for about 24 hours. Practice non practice this if temperature is below 40 degrees F.

  • Question

    Where can I become 3M VHB foam tape?

    Community Answer

    Amazon has it in a variety of lengths and widths.

  • Question

    Tin can Gorilla mucilage be used to attach glass to a convertible sail tiptop?

    Community Answer

    No. I tried information technology and the oestrus from sitting in the lord's day fabricated it cleft and come autonomously.

  • Question

    How much volition information technology cost to replace a rear window on a convertible Sebring?

    Community Answer

    The shops will tell you a new top is needed. Fortunately, the Sebring window lays on top of the canvas flap rather than hanging from information technology. People swear by Rhino glue for about 20 bucks. I'yard planning to remove the window, make clean the unabridged lip that the window edge contacts, put a bead of rhinoceros on it and lay the window back in. Removing it completely will let me to position it evenly in the hole since the tiptop material has well-nigh likely shrunk over the years merely if yours is but pulling apart in a section you can open up the top part way and glue the lip while tension is off.

  • Question

    Should I glue the within and the outside of the window?

    Brett Gilbert

    Brett Gilbert

    Meridian Answerer

    Aye, if the sail is loose on the inside part of the window, mucilage it too.

  • Question

    Where can I find instructions that are more specific to the type of auto I accept?

    Brett Gilbert

    Brett Gilbert

    Acme Answerer

    You could contact the manufacturer or a mechanic to see what they recommend. Usually, though, they will tell you to replace the entire hood. The gum or tape techniques work well for just about any car.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your e-mail address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertizing

  • It may be amend to get the tiptop fixed in a way for whose possible failure someone else such equally a dealer will take responsibility. But this is a slap-up alternative to replacing the top.

Advertisement

Things You'll Demand

  • 3M VHB foam tape, black

References

About This Article

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 206,464 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Anthony Budd

    Anthony Budd

    Jul 21, 2022

    "Y'all told me how to fix a convertible rear acme when specialty shops said supervene upon the superlative. It'due south a 2002 old Sebring,..." more than

Did this article aid you?