Miata Top Repair?

[condor888000]

My Miata's zipper is done, won't close anymore no matter what I do. The window is also 15 years old now and as much duct tape as plastic. Does anyone know a shop where I can get the top fixed up?

[terrydale]

Auto-Wa Upholstery + Glass, 1559 Laperriere, 613-7212.

Corny name but they have been around for a milion years. Used to be called Comber's Auto Top way back when and then his son-in-law took it over - again, many years ago. Haven't dealt with them recently but if they still have some of the same guys around, that is Choice #1.

[davet82]

get more duct tape!!

as for the zipper

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... ght=zipper

[sb_600]

or buy this:

sema_08_1333.jpg (185.74 KiB) Viewed 537 times

[condor888000]

Actually not a fan of the fastback on a Miata, prefer the original hardtop if anything.

Dave, thanks! That should work perfectly. Alas, inflation has taken hold. The zipper is now $13.81...

Terry, Auto-wa was actually the first place that was recommended. I'll be sure to give them a call if the zipper doesn't fix it. Glad to see I was on the right track in any case.

[ddroger]

I may be missing some technological development: but how does a new zipper fix a torn, duct-taped, plastic window? Just askin'

Geezer

[condor888000]

Because I really don't care about the torn, ripped up, duct taped plastic window. I just want to be able to zip the damn thing up!

[John Powell]

Back in the BritCar days there were lots of places who repaired/replaced plastic windows, and it wasn't that expensive. Surely there must be someone in Ottawa who could do the job without it costing an arm and a leg?

[terrydale]

Any boat marine facility with a top repair shop. Hurst Marine in Kars for one. That's what they do. They replace yellowed plastic 'windows', repair stitching, all of the stuff that was done back in the Brit Roadster days.

[sb_600]

Actually not a fan of the fastback on a Miata, prefer the original hardtop if anything.

I figured - it was more of a joke than anything

[mphysk]

Boats are expensive, and people are willing to pay mucho $$$ to fix 'em.
A whole new miata top can be had for a few hundred dollars, new window included

[terrydale]

Completely agree. A 15 year old piece of canvas is brittle and dried out. Typically, canvas repair facilities are very hesitant to take an old unit on as they are hard to work with and not worth the money spent repairing them.

Back when I had my restoration shop, brand new soft tops for British cars - MG,s, Triumph's and the like - ran about $250. Probably still competitively priced. Not even close to thinking about repairing them.

[ZOO]

Pat,

I've done two Miata tops now -- Beth's and mine. It isn't particularly difficult. Just time consuming. I'd be happy to help. If you want you can "borrow" my hardtop until you can scratch together the cash to purchase a new roof.

Rob

[condor888000]

Thanks for the offer Rob, I'm in no hurry to replace the top as the vinyl is still nearly perfect, not even thin anywhere. I really don't care if the window's duct tape, it's down about 98% of the time anyway. As long as Dave's tip end up working (and I think it will, the actual zipper is in great shape) I'm good to go.

And if I got your hardtop you might never get it back.

[ZOO]

Thanks for the offer Rob, I'm in no hurry to replace the top as the vinyl is still nearly perfect, not even thin anywhere. I really don't care if the window's duct tape, it's down about 98% of the time anyway. As long as Dave's tip end up working (and I think it will, the actual zipper is in great shape) I'm good to go.

And if I got your hardtop you might never get it back.

I could likely make you a good price on it

[condor888000]

No need, the new zipper worked! Matter of 5 minutes to pull the old one off and put the new on.

Interesting fact, Mazda actually put "MX-5" on the zipper. It was on the one I took off, and the one I put on.



Of course, I put another small crack in the plastic, but that's ok. I'm thinking I'll just take black duct tape instead of the clear and just put it over the entire thing. Not like I can see out of it right now anyway.

[GoesFilled]

See Pat - you CAN fix things.

Come to think of it - my zipper doesn't work either... but at least my window is flexible enough that it just folds!

[B Greenaway]

For the window cracks, I'm going to experiment with some of the 3M clearbra stuff. Should work far better than than the not-so-transparent transparent duck tape.

One thing I read on Miata.net for a cheap and simple window replacement was:

Get hold of some clear plastic sheeting
Make a template with you existing window
Cut out the old window, leaving around 3/4" of the edge in place
Cut the new window from the plastic sheet and template
Glue the new window onto the 3/4" rim you left of the old one

Little chinsy maybe, but it should work ok.