Hi All,

I have noticed that the top of my car has developed a very small cut in the left rear side.

Took it to a specialist in convertible tops who told me there was nothing he could do as the cut is caused by friction in the material by operating the roof and that the cut comes from outside, as the inside of the top is perfect.

Furthermore, the rest of the top looks like new.

So.... What can I do to help preventing this cut from growing and further cuts to develop? Are there any products to treat your top against wear and tear?

My problem is that I operate the top almost on a daily basis and therefore I believe this will continue to deteriorate.

A new top would mean about 5K so want to delay this as much as possible.

Any help / tips will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

S

 

I do fear the soft top will wear and degrade over time but all I can do it keep it clean, out of the sun when not driving it and not over operate the system. I have worried about wearing out the mechanism for opening/closing also and have debates with myself wether it is worth it for a three mile trip to put the top down.

I know it might sound like a petty thing and only semantics but I would call that damage you have a tear not a cut. I would have no idea how to limit the further tearing if you use the the convertible top. Sorry.

 

I drive it mostly with the top down. Would it be better just to leave it down for several days or is it better to put it up overnight for the top to stretch?

 

Yes we think alike I can see that for sure. I put mine up after every trip. My black top does have a few wrinkle marks about midway from front to back. Since i bought my car used i have no idea how they came to be and if leaving the top down for extended periods of time was involved. Never leave the top down wet for sure.

I hate to say it but I think you should put it up and just understand that putting it back down for the enjoyment of it just costs money. Or never put it down because money savings means more than anything.

I was helping the wife wash the Audi A7 and we both commented on the amount of rock ship damage. I told her if you use it it will show it.

Did your shop specialist recommend any preventative measures?

 

He did not recommend any other thing than keeping it clean.

And in reality... I will keep putting it down every time I want as the only real measure that really matters is how many smiles per miles you can get out of your B.

 

Atta boy! I have some marks and signs of use on my 07 and just need to forget about them and enjoy what i can about the car. There is always something wrong with everything.

 

there is always d something wrong with everything. profound and true. thanks dr d. it helps to put things in perspective

 

Thanks Larry. On a related note another original saying, those who find perfection in life are just more ignorant than most.

 

I could not agree more, and that comes from someone with a serious case of CDO (OCD but with the letters in the right order!).

 

Little cuts/tears on what would be the C pillar of the car, especially towards the point where it goes from a vertical surface to a horizontal surface is likely due to a misalignment in the top mechanism. This can and probably will get worse. It is one of the main things to look for when buying a used CGTC. A Bentley dealer in Miami told me about this issue, while showing me a sample on a used car on his lot.


Brian.

 

"Would it be better just to leave it down for several days or is it better to put it up overnight for the top to stretch?"


If you check your manual, it will say to always raise (put up) the top. I do not, admittedly, but I do more often than not.


Brian.

 

Brian, Many thanks. The odd thing is that when I bought the car about two months ago this problem was not there. 6 years working well and then start tearing just when I buy It? Took it to Bentley Fort Lauderdale and to Marcus Tuerk in Boca and they both told me there is not I can do sooooo....What the hell.... Let's enjoy this beauty and if I need to change the top in 6-12 months, so be it!

 

You sir have the recipe for happiness. G'Day.

 

I just saw this looking for something else. I had extremely good work from:

Milos Auto Upholstery
Auto Upholsterer
3396 NW S River Dr, Miami, FL 33142
(305) 638-8033

I had a problem with the roof liner falling off in a 2006 Rolls Phantom, dealer wanted 15k to replace it, Milo was recommended by my Mercedes Benz dealer store manager of Pembroke Pines, Fl. Milo did perfect work, took all liner off, cleaned it, refurbished the whole fiberglass inner roof, reglued the liner to the roof, and replaced the relined inner roof for 750. I think he has been there for 20 plus years. I saw all of the work he was doing in his shop, various cars in several stages of restoration including a 63 T Bird, and they were all first class jobs. I have no relationship or business interest with this gentleman.

 

thx for the info. may be good for roof liner and leather repair