Fixing a convertible top..... any ideas? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pan6467 · 06-13-2006, 10:48 PM

I have a very nice convertible LeBaron but the back sewn strip around the window is coming off. It appears the leather is dry rotted so resewing it won't work...... is there anything else I can do to save the top, before it comes off completely, and starts tearing the top apart?

cj2112 · 06-14-2006, 11:04 AM

I'd try swinging by an upholstery shop and seeing if they can't repair the problem.

Bill O'Rights · 06-14-2006, 11:58 AM

Superglue and roofing tar.

Seriously...I have no idea. I'd echo cj2112's suggestion of your local upholstry shop. If the car's that nice, it'd be worth a couple of bucks to have the job professionally done. If it's to dry rotted to sew though...I'd expect to have to get a completely new top.

Coppertop · 06-14-2006, 12:38 PM

My girlfriend just had the same thing happen to her Chevy Cavalier. We tried using transparent duct tape on the outside and heavy duty piping tape on the inside but it only held up for a day or two before coming apart. If you live where there is an appreciable amount of rain, I'd strongly recommend having it done professionally.

We shopped around for quotes at upholstery shops & convertible specialists. She ended up using a convertible specialist as they had a good price and a quick turnaround. They did a good job, we've had no problems since it was repaired. She paid about $700 to replace the rear window and window skirt. It would have cost approximately $1200 to replace the entire top. They did the job in about 4 hours.

pan6467 · 06-14-2006, 10:18 PM

Cool, I have a '95 Lebaron in decent shape that I am trying to fix up. The back window seaming is dry rotted and doesn't look like it can be sewn.

I've priced tops and they cost about $300..... not bad but I have a feeling the installation is going to be the hard part.

I was just hoping I could find an easier way to fix it than to buy a new top. It's not too bad now but it is on it's way and I have a feeling these tops once they start go fast.

Moonduck · 06-15-2006, 11:02 AM

If you live anywhere that has marinas an boat shops, you can see if you can find a boat top shop. They can frequently cool things and do them semi-cheap.

souzafone · 06-24-2006, 07:34 AM

Find a professional auto upholsterer.

newtx · 06-24-2006, 04:49 PM

I have a friend who owns an upholstery shop and does this repair from time to time. If you don't want to buy a new top (and I don't blame you) find an honest shop that does good work. When you talk to the the folks at the shop, ask for references on a similar repair. I'd keep shopping if they wont give you any references. If you have a friend in the used car business he/she can probably save you a lot of time and money.

06-13-2006, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Fixing a convertible top..... any ideas? I have a very nice convertible LeBaron but the back sewn strip around the window is coming off. It appears the leather is dry rotted so resewing it won't work...... is there anything else I can do to save the top, before it comes off completely, and starts tearing the top apart? __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

06-14-2006, 11:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Superglue and roofing tar. Seriously...I have no idea. I'd echo cj2112's suggestion of your local upholstry shop. If the car's that nice, it'd be worth a couple of bucks to have the job professionally done. If it's to dry rotted to sew though...I'd expect to have to get a completely new top. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

06-14-2006, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	My girlfriend just had the same thing happen to her Chevy Cavalier. We tried using transparent duct tape on the outside and heavy duty piping tape on the inside but it only held up for a day or two before coming apart. If you live where there is an appreciable amount of rain, I'd strongly recommend having it done professionally. We shopped around for quotes at upholstery shops & convertible specialists. She ended up using a convertible specialist as they had a good price and a quick turnaround. They did a good job, we've had no problems since it was repaired. She paid about $700 to replace the rear window and window skirt. It would have cost approximately $1200 to replace the entire top. They did the job in about 4 hours. Last edited by Coppertop; 06-14-2006 at 12:39 PM.. Reason: spelling

06-14-2006, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Cool, I have a '95 Lebaron in decent shape that I am trying to fix up. The back window seaming is dry rotted and doesn't look like it can be sewn. I've priced tops and they cost about $300..... not bad but I have a feeling the installation is going to be the hard part. I was just hoping I could find an easier way to fix it than to buy a new top. It's not too bad now but it is on it's way and I have a feeling these tops once they start go fast. __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

06-14-2006, 11:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	I'd try swinging by an upholstery shop and seeing if they can't repair the problem.

06-15-2006, 11:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	If you live anywhere that has marinas an boat shops, you can see if you can find a boat top shop. They can frequently cool things and do them semi-cheap.

06-24-2006, 07:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
souzafone Insane	Find a professional auto upholsterer.

06-24-2006, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
newtx Addict	I have a friend who owns an upholstery shop and does this repair from time to time. If you don't want to buy a new top (and I don't blame you) find an honest shop that does good work. When you talk to the the folks at the shop, ask for references on a similar repair. I'd keep shopping if they wont give you any references. If you have a friend in the used car business he/she can probably save you a lot of time and money.