One more question. My 26 touring has a very presentable but very old top that has a few small ( smaller than a nickel) holes. I am concerned that when I get it back on the road that the wind will cause the holes to tear. Any ideas on patches? I was thinking about just cutting pieces of black vinyl fabric and using contact cement to patch them from the inside. Any better ideas?
Thanks again and God Bless,
Joshua A Powers
Patching top?
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colonelpowers
Topic author - Posts: 218
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:04 pm
- First Name: Joshua
- Last Name: Powers
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Center Door Sedan
- Location: Marion, Virginia
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CudaMan
- Posts: 2531
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Patching top?
I wore a small hole in my top from the repeated abrasion from putting it up and down over the years, I did just what you suggested. I cut a patch about the size of a silver dollar, then glued it to the inside over the hole. Then, after the glue dried, I took a needle and black thread and hand sewed it to hold it permanently in place. 
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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JohnM
- Posts: 700
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Michaelree
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring 1927 Tudor
- Location: st louis
- Board Member Since: 2010
Re: Patching top?
If you are not particularly interested in period correct, for under twenty bucks a roll of black Gorilla Tape would be quick and easy. Placed on the underside I would think it would hardly be noticed.
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SurfCityGene
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Torpedo Roadster
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- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Patching top?
I've posted before about the amazing stuff you probably already have in a little tube called ULTRA BLACK or The Right Stuff!!
I bumped the top of my Torpedo trying to get into my trailer before putting the top down. This was a very small tear but a dab of Ultra Black and it's been good for years. Also used it on a leather car seat that was starting to wear and OH I almost forgot the fraying Coach purse handles for the wife's pricey purse made her really happy.
Also good for that pesky freeze crack on the side of the block cause it sticks very well and also flexes unlike JB Weld.
Best of All.... To glue that oil seal to the block on the T crankshaft preventing that oil leak that ends coating the whole underside of the car!!
I bumped the top of my Torpedo trying to get into my trailer before putting the top down. This was a very small tear but a dab of Ultra Black and it's been good for years. Also used it on a leather car seat that was starting to wear and OH I almost forgot the fraying Coach purse handles for the wife's pricey purse made her really happy.
Also good for that pesky freeze crack on the side of the block cause it sticks very well and also flexes unlike JB Weld.
Best of All.... To glue that oil seal to the block on the T crankshaft preventing that oil leak that ends coating the whole underside of the car!!
1912 Torpedo Roadster
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Scott_Conger
- Posts: 6523
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Re: Patching top?
my '19 roadster had a severely back-slanting top and of course it did not mate to the windshield worth a hoot. I removed the back of the top from the body, cemented a 3" wide black vinyl strip across it (with a 1" overlay for bonding) and retacked into place. Then I sealed the edge of the vinyl to the original top with ULTRA BLACK RTV. It has worked very well and is surprisingly unobtrusive
I would not hesitate to spot-patch a small hole like you are considering. I'd do it on the outside and carefully apply a fillet of RTV around it.
the adhesive I used is really second to none (and I've tried several). I have found that this Loctite product is wonderful. After 3 years of the top being TIGHT, the strip across the back/bottom shows no signs of releasing it's 1" wide bond.
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Plastic- ... 2230&psc=1
good luck
I would not hesitate to spot-patch a small hole like you are considering. I'd do it on the outside and carefully apply a fillet of RTV around it.
the adhesive I used is really second to none (and I've tried several). I have found that this Loctite product is wonderful. After 3 years of the top being TIGHT, the strip across the back/bottom shows no signs of releasing it's 1" wide bond.
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Plastic- ... 2230&psc=1
good luck
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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DHort
- Posts: 2826
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Re: Patching top?
It has been recommended to me by Steve Thum in St Louis to use repair patches that are applied to scuba diver gear. Probably can get some at a dive shop. Should come with really good glue or sealant.
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DanTreace
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Re: Patching top?
Since the more recent tops are vinyl, have fixed a small gash with swimming pool toy vinyl cement, works great!
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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MichaelPawelek
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Rich P. Bingham
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Re: Patching top?
Ultra black will make a good repair, you might consider using the urethane RTV used to seal windshields. I once spread it (kinda like peanut butter) over an original closed car top that was basically sound, but prone to "weep" a little in a heavy rain. Got several more years of service out of it before it was replaced with new material.
Get a horse !