Top is tearing HELP

[dfera]

Hi all,
My wife just purchased an 06 NBC and the top is fraying or tearing in a certain are on both sides of the car. The passenger side is much worse, this seems common since all of the NB's we looked at had this issue. Does anyone know of a fix? We are going to see what Carmax will do for us but I'm not holding my breath. Here's a couple pics...

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I'm assuming since you/she just bought the car, it was that way when purchased. Good luck with Carmax on that one. A new top can run into the thousands, Decent used can be bought on eBay for $600 and up. and if you have the talent it can be a DIY. There is at least one "how to" on the Org.

In the mean time, head for a trim shop to see what they can do (maybe an overlay or and underlay) to prolong the life of what you have, it's toast. Sorry.

MORAV

[dfera]

Yeah the tear was just starting. Last weekend when we purchased the car you couldn't see through the tear, now you can. I was thinking of an underlay, but I don't suppose there are any kits for this are there?
Seems to be this one area on both sides of the rear windows anyone else have this issue, is it common?
Any suggestions on what to search for in the phone book; upholstery shops or boat shops since it's a canvas top?

I'm not afraid of the work if I have to replace the top so long as there is a how-to.

Thanks
Dom

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by dfera

Yeah the tear was just starting. Last weekend when we purchased the car you couldn't see through the tear, now you can. I was thinking of an underlay, but I don't suppose there are any kits for this are there?
Seems to be this one area on both sides of the rear windows anyone else have this issue, is it common?
Any suggestions on what to search for in the phone book; upholstery shops or boat shops since it's a canvas top?

I'm not afraid of the work if I have to replace the top so long as there is a how-to.

Thanks
Dom

First choice, old line convertible top shop, if you can find a convertible top shop it's almost for certain it's been around awhile. One that makes tops and can do the old school install with wood bows, etc. Possibly under auto restoration. A few "old timers" have survived the years and the economy. You may have to go outside your local area, all I know is your in NC.

Most trim shops today (boat or auto) are not going to have the experience dealing with cloth/canvas, there are to many new better fabrics for boat application. Canvas hasn't really been used for years. But between them all, I'd lean to the boat trim shops.

I'm sure when you are ready to tackle this we can fix you up with a good DIY and probably "cyber hands on" help from someone who has done this. There was a member who just did this about 4-6 months ago, and he did quite a write up. Just have to find it, or perhaps someone remembers, he was changing color, and had his original for sale also. I see several running on eBay in the $600 - $850 range, as I remember.

M.

[dfera]

So the feedback I got back from Carmax was they took it to a trim shop and they determined there wasn’t really anything that could be done because the tear is in a high stress area on a joint and using a patch would make the patched area stronger than the surrounding area and that wouldn’t work. Also they will not do it because it is only the outside tan material that is torn and not the other weatherproof layer(s). Any assistance on how to rebut them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dom

[stevishlydubbin]

Originally Posted by dfera
http://newbeetle.org/forums/new-beet...tml#post741533

My wife just purchased an 06 NBC and the top is fraying or tearing in a certain are on both sides of the car. The passenger side is much worse, this seems common since all of the NB's we looked at had this issue. Does anyone know of a fix? We are going to see what Carmax will do for us but I'm not holding my breath. Pics are in the link above.

Thanks
Dom



I'm not sure of a fix, but to prevent it try using a boot. I believe riding without a boot helps speed up this process, take care of it with the proper materials and such, and no car washes.

[dfera]

I'm not sure of a fix, but to prevent it try using a boot. I believe riding without a boot helps speed up this process, take care of it with the proper materials and such, and no car washes.

How would a boot prevent this or at least slow it down? Yeah we don't go to car washes I wash the cars by hand.


Thanks
Dom

[stevishlydubbin]

Originally Posted by dfera

How would a boot prevent this or at least slow it down? Yeah we don't go to car washes I wash the cars by hand.


Thanks
Dom

The wind can catch the top when is it down and the friction of the wind and the bends where the top is folded could potentially cause it to fringe. It's probably more for the people who ride with their tops down more often and at higher speeds.

[Palafox]

dfera, sorry about ur top tearing, I hope it's uncommon but seeing this Flint video proves otherwise . My top is same color lemme tell I cringe about these stories.

IMO anyone reading this and thinking about buying a NBC especially a light color top (grey tan red) this is no ordinary car... I equate it to being a hot high maintainence gf the top needs attention 24/7 or it'll look like swiss cheese real quick - tree sap, bird poop, crease marks, tears, stains, putting on the boot, a garage to park under is required if you're care about the appearance

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