Patching Convertible top?

Thanatos340 said

I just bought the wife a 1968 Barracuda Convertible. The car is in really nice condition however the Top has about a 1" tear in one spot and a small pin hole in another. The top is otherwise excellent condition.

This is the first convertible I have ever owned and want to know what the best way to patch this would be? Iron on type patches or adhesive? Anyone done small patches like this before with any success?

Called a local well known trim shop and they said they do not patch tops at all and wanted $2,000+ top replace the top. Insane.

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I would guess the year is from the top,getting pinched when it is being lowered. Before you try and repair it lower the top stopping and checking as it goes down. Look to see if the top is getting caught with the tack bow in that area.

Put a new top on my Dart and it ended up with the tear in the same area aft 6 months and putting the top down very few times

Also check the tack bow to see if it is sharp on the end. It might need to be files to smooth.

Herb Beers started making the wires needed to push the top out away from the tack bow to eliminate the pinching of the top

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Wire I made for my top. There was a TSB back in the day for this very problem.

Yes 2 grand for a top is too much. I had a cloth top put on mine in 04 for $1,100 with all new pads. The top looks great

EZ Top in Greenville SC made the top, and had a local trim guy install it