Sealing pinhole in top fabric

[Bill73Ragtop]

Just noticed a microscopic pinhole puncture in the fabric of my brand new convertible top (not my 73, but my 69). Considering it's a new top, I'll be heading back to talk to the installer, but in the meantime the question is if anyone has heard of or used something to seal up something like this. We're talking minuscule drop of sealant if that's the easiest solution.

Some sort of superglue that dries clear and won't be affected by UV (i.e. discolor) ? Top is 'Ford White' which is not so much a bright white as a creamy white.

 

[judge]

Yes, on a white top, I have used gutter sealant. It's usually only available in the metal gutter section of your home depot or Lowes store. It's in a aluminum squeeze tube. Very nasty if you get it on you. I think that it's urethane.

Just noticed a microscopic pinhole puncture in the fabric of my brand new convertible top (not my 73, but my 69). Considering it's a new top, I'll be heading back to talk to the installer, but in the meantime the question is if anyone has heard of or used something to seal up something like this. We're talking minuscule drop of sealant if that's the easiest solution.

Some sort of superglue that dries clear and won't be affected by UV (i.e. discolor) ? Top is 'Ford White' which is not so much a bright white as a creamy white.

 

[imusa76]

My old top had a few pin holes, I put a paintable sealant from the inside, so its not seen from the outside, and then I painted it with a brush a satin black, you couldn't even tell it was patched.

 

[digithead]

Think I would try a tiny dab of white tub sealant caulk, use a Q-tip to dab apply.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi Bill,

I find it rather ironic, timing wise, that you posted your puncture problem with your rag top. Would you believe i just noticed on the weekend, a new very tiny puncture mark on the passengers side just above the chrome trim on the quarter panel up about 6 inches on my own '73 Vert. I am not a happy camper, as like you, my top is fairly new as well , and i have been doing my best to try and look after the top to keep it in great condition.

However, in my case, the spot where this puncture is located, is a pressure imprint mark that has occurred when i drop the top. Obviously the vinyl is coming into contact with something when the top goes down and causing a direct on pressure mark about a 1/4 inch size. The mark has never really gone away, and i learned to live with it. But it would seem my luck has run out, as over a period of time, the vinyl has weakened on that very mark, and gave way to creating this tiny hole.

I don't know if your case is similar to mine as to the cause, but my approach was going to be to get a pro vinyl repair man out to see what can be done to repair this hole. They have special glues and resins for this very problem, and go to the trouble of color matching the repair to end up making the repair invisible. As to going back to my installer, i don't know if i would have a case to go on, as i have left this marking problem go on for way too long, and not tried to do anything to remedy the initial problem. Maybe the installer could help me try and locate where the vinyl is coming into contact with the object that is causing the imprint mark to occur. In my case, my top is black colored.

As to repairing the hole, well i guess there are many different types of glues and sealers you could use, like white Sikaflex sealer, but i think the only way to approach the problem is to put a small, neat patch of vinyl behind the hole and then repair the tiny hole on the out side. At least the backup patch will help give extra life to the repair. As to finding out what or where the vinyl is coming into contact with exactly, well that's going to be a hard one.:chin:

Greg.:-/

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Greg, I especially emphasize with your situation. This new top was installed as a result of the frame pinching the fabric which caused a couple of 1/2" 'anvil cuts' in the fabric.

The installer spent hours dismantling and re-assembling the frame to re-shape a couple of the arms that were bent and were causing the frame to fold incorrectly. I acted as Go-For and did any research with other convertible top companies to see how they addressed similar issues. In the end the original problem was solved, but where this pinhole came from is yet unknown.

If there is a solution (beyond replacing the entire top) I'm willing to consider it within reason. Here is a pic of the puncture.



As you can see, it's almost minor at this stage. I'll share solution when we find it.

 

[Austin Vert]

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Greg, I especially emphasize with your situation. This new top was installed as a result of the frame pinching the fabric which caused a couple of 1/2" 'anvil cuts' in the fabric.

The installer spent hours dismantling and re-assembling the frame to re-shape a couple of the arms that were bent and were causing the frame to fold incorrectly. I acted as Go-For and did any research with other convertible top companies to see how they addressed similar issues. In the end the original problem was solved, but where this pinhole came from is yet unknown.

If there is a solution (beyond replacing the entire top) I'm willing to consider it within reason. Here is a pic of the puncture.

As you can see, it's almost minor at this stage. I'll share solution when we find it.

Thanks for your feedback Bill,

From what you just said, you have suffered from another bad situation with the vinyl getting sliced with the anvil cut and frame problem. I'm sorry to hear that and you have my complete sympathy on that score. I may be mistaken, but i have a feeling we discussed this issue in a previous thread.You may recall i had an issue where my passengers side quarter panel, side leading edge of the vinyl top where it meets the chrome qtr panel trim, was rubbing badly and tearing the edge seam to shreds. That was a frame alignment prob for me as well, and took a lot of time and energy to rectify that prob as well.

So it would seem that your pinhole puncture prob is a separate issue that you're not sure about at this stage as to what might be causing it to occur. I don't think you told us exactly where your puncture hole is located. Would it be in the same or very similar location as mine is. I can take a pic for you if you want.

Greg.:chin:

 

[73pony]

Here is my thoughts on this.

1. That sucks on a brand new top. I'm really sorry.

2. I like Austin Vert's idea of having a specialist do a repair. I have seen these guys do some repairs and they are very good. Being in Buffalo there must be some boat canvas people in your area. I had to have some repairs done to my boat canvas one year after I put it away and it got pinched in the process, you could not even tell when they were done. They even scrubbed the entire set of canvas to make it look new and white again when they were done.

3. Before any repairs I would do some digging as to what may have poked it. Something made that puncture wound in the top.

Best of luck getting it sorted out. I love the look of your car by the way. That blue just pops.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Again,appreciate the feedback. Jason, I will be discussing the problem and solution with the installer who is probably the best in the WNY region at this time. He's going to be pretty upset since he spent more than 30 hrs working on the frame and top. I agree that finding the source of the puncture is top priority as well as potential fix solutions. Thanks for the kudos on my 73 Blue Glow vert.

I should also point out this is an issue on my 69 Restomod, not my 73. The puncture is directly above the driver between the front and No. bow. Greg, My 73 also suffers from beading rubbed raw in the lower quarters due to rubbing against the edge of the hockey sticks and body edges on both sides. Considering the 73 top was installed in 1998, it's a concern, but not a high priority at this time. I've seen too many 71-73 convertibles with the same wear so it's obvious it's a common issue with these years.

I've begun experimenting with some vinyl fabric repair product on some test samples....we'll see.

 

[Austin Vert]

Again,appreciate the feedback. Jason, I will be discussing the problem and solution with the installer who is probably the best in the WNY region at this time. He's going to be pretty upset since he spent more than 30 hrs working on the frame and top. I agree that finding the source of the puncture is top priority as well as potential fix solutions. Thanks for the kudos on my 73 Blue Glow vert.

I should also point out this is an issue on my 69 Restomod, not my 73. The puncture is directly above the driver between the front and No. bow. Greg, My 73 also suffers from beading rubbed raw in the lower quarters due to rubbing against the edge of the hockey sticks and body edges on both sides. Considering the 73 top was installed in 1998, it's a concern, but not a high priority at this time. I've seen too many 71-73 convertibles with the same wear so it's obvious it's a common issue with these years.

I've begun experimenting with some vinyl fabric repair product on some test samples....we'll see.

Thanks again for your feedback Bill. I was out and about today and came across this product locally, and i thought i would buy a tube and give it a try on my Vert roof on the tiny puncture hole. I will let you know how i got on.

https://www.plastidip.net.au/vlp-vinyl---leather-repair

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PERFORMIX-VLP-VINYL-AND-LEATHER-REPAIR-ADHESIVE-TUBE-29-3ML-/281595639133?hash=item419068755d

Thanks,

Greg.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Thanks again for your feedback Bill. I was out and about today and came across this product locally, and i thought i would buy a tube and give it a try on my Vert roof on the tiny puncture hole. I will let you know how i got on.

https://www.plastidip.net.au/vlp-vinyl---leather-repair

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PERFORMIX-VLP-VINYL-AND-LEATHER-REPAIR-ADHESIVE-TUBE-29-3ML-/281595639133?hash=item419068755d

Thanks,

Greg.

I like the way you think! Actually, that is the exact product I am testing with!

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

I wanted to update my progress in repairing the hole. I actually did this a few weeks ago, but have not grabbed the camera to take a pic. I figure I'm 60% there. I used a very small dab of VLP which sealed the puncture. However, since the top fabric is bonded to the black underside fabric, the dark edges of the under-ply are noticeable. I went to a local model shop and picked up a small bottle of 'Ivory' enamel paint. Then I spent some time mixing white and the ivory on a palate to come up with a close match to the 'Ford White' fabric color. Then applied another very small dab of the paint. I'm close, but not completely there. From a 3 ft distance its barely noticeable (to anyone except me of course). I'll continue to work on it it, but very small incremental progress is the key so I don't overdo it.

 

[Austin Vert]

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the feedback. Looking good there. I used the vlp a few weeks ago on my small puncture hole as well, and got a good result.

In my case, i have a mat black Robins brand roof, so i dusted or spray blended, a small amount of mat black lacquer over the wound, and it made the finished job look great. The only drawback in my case was that where the puncture hole appeared, it had a small pressure imprint mark to go with the hole. I can't get rid of that impression mark unfortunately, but it is just barely noticeable.

Greg.