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How to Repair Your Convertible Top | TopsOnline Blog

You’ve searched the internet high and low on "how to repair a convertible top" and you’re looking for answers because your convertible top has a hole, a tear, or a rip, and you want to fix that problem. Cheaply and easily. We understand. At TopsOnline, we are passionate about two things: helping our customers solve their automotive upholstery problems the right way and giving our customers the real, honest information they need to make a wise decision. The same holds true when our customers ask us how to repair a convertible top.

So, although we’re in the business of selling replacement convertible tops (and other automotive upholstery products), we really do want to help you. And the only way we can do that is to take a different approach from what you’ll normally find, which are articles about how easy it is to repair a convertible top or videos that make it look like hand-stitching, patches, and adhesive will do the job. But we can’t in good conscience do the same thing and here’s why:

 

Repairing a convertible top is not as easy as stitches and patches.

 

For those searching for how to fix a convertible top, it’s important to understand that repairs often require removing the top from the frame. We get a lot of calls from convertible owners that have tried the repair route and are now ready to replace their convertible top. If you can take the time to learn from our customers’ experience, then you have our blessing to go forth and make the decision that’s best for you.  

 

First things first, there are no conventional adhesives which will hold patches on vinyl or clothing convertible top materials. So that’s one of the reasons you see convertible tops with duct tape instead of patches -- there just isn’t an adhesive that does the job well. So you’ll need to use something to seal your tear and hold the patch and that’s why people use stitching. Stitching, of course, presents issues with waterproofing, so any stitches done will need to be sealed, so you don’t get water through the repair.

 

When it comes to your convertible soft top repair, you’ll most likely need to remove the top from the frame for machine stitching. Machine stitching gives your patch the best chance to hold up, especially in high-stress areas. Hand stitching is generally only suitable for small tears at the binding. However, most tears occur in other locations, meaning the entire top has to come off the frame. This process can weaken the material further, especially if the top has already endured years of wear and tear.

For customers who insist on how to fix a convertible top without replacing it, we always recommend visiting a professional upholstery trim shop. Professionals have the experience to minimize risks like tearing the top further during removal or reinstallation. Still, the cost of repair jobs—including removal, stitching, sealing, and reinstallation—can sometimes rival the cost of a brand-new convertible top. Moreover, repair jobs are rarely guaranteed, whereas new convertible tops often come with warranties that provide peace of mind.

At the end of the day,a "convertible soft top repair" may save you money upfront, but the long-term benefits of a new top are often worth the additional cost. If you’re ready to replace your convertible top instead of navigating the challenges of your convertible tops repair, TopsOnline offers high-quality replacement tops with warranties to ensure your satisfaction.