Soft Top Repair

[CAVU2 267]

I have searched and have found many conflicting recommendations for repairing the soft top for a Jeep on the net. I have a very small hole about the size of the smiley icon on this forum. What options would you recommend or have used? I don't care about looks, rather, mostly keeping it from getting worse. I put the top up and down often and the hole is over the articulating "sunrider" portions, passenger side in the channel.

 

 

Thanks in advance for your advice,

 

Picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kefein/18442191811/in/dateposted-public/

[ob1jeeper 849]

While you didn't post any pictures of the issue and the mechanism's, it sounds like it is either getting pinched in the mechanism during folding/unfolding, or perhaps there is repeated contact with a sharp edge of the mechanism.

 

Once you figure out where the contact is coming from, it would be a good idea to have a small repair patch added to the inside of the area, to act as protection for the top material.

 

I'm not current with upholstery repair facilities in your part of the valley, but I can vouch for Apache Awning (3440 E Van Buren St

Phoenix, AZ 602-273-0254), as I've been using them for a variety of uphoslstery and material projects (boat bimini's & mooring covers, tents repaired, car seat covers, awnings made, etc., etc.), for over 35 years, and have never bee disappointed with the quality of work, materials, or price…

 

Ask for Iner. (pronounced "eye-ner") He is the 2nd generation owner of the business, and a peach to work with.

[charlietaylor 0]

I had a similar issue with a small tear in the soft top of my Wrangler, right over the folding joint area. What worked best for me was using a flexible vinyl repair kit and reinforcing it from the inside with a patch of marine-grade fabric. This keeps it watertight and prevents further tearing, even with frequent folding.

 

If the hole is near a hinge or fold line, make sure the underlying metal isn’t catching the material each time it moves. Sometimes a small realignment of the frame or an added protective strip can make a big difference in preventing new damage.

 

For a more lasting fix, you could have an upholstery or automotive repair specialist take a look. Torrance Motors has handled convertible top and fabric repairs for off-road and utility vehicles around the South Bay area, and they’re known for quality workmanship without overcharging. A professional touch-up there could seal the tear properly while checking for any stress points that might cause new holes later on.