MTFCA Forum

I plan to be replacing the existing top on my ‘26 Touring soon and had intended to fill all of the old tack holes with toothpicks dipped in glue. However, the rear seat is still fine and I don’t want to mess with it. That seat-back is tacked into the same wood strip that I was going to use the toothpicks on. How have you guys dealt with this issue of the seat fabric concealing the wood strip and filling the old tack holes?

It might be heresy, but since that area will be covered by welting, why not glue the toothpicks in right through the seat back material? I promise I won't tell anybody...

Can't you see the holes in the upholstery without tacks in them and just put the toothpicks there?
Norm

Why not remove the tacks holding the material? Fill the holes under it. You have lots of working room & dont risk damaging the upholstery.
Fix the wood & re-attach the upholstery. Tighten a little. This is how I recently did my roadster pickup top instal.

Well, I haven’t removed the old top yet. My “fear” is that pushing the toothpicks through the holes in the existing fabric of the seat back will just wipe the glue off of the toothpick and none if it will make it to the wood strip. Am I wrong in this assumption?

Also, if I un-tack the seat back, is it possible to get it back in place again?

Regarding wiping off the glue, why not get a syringe and inject the glue into the holes before inserting the toothpicks?

Dave Young wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 26, 2023 5:28 pm

Also, if I un-tack the seat back, is it possible to get it back in place again?

It might be a bit difficult, since the upholstery material has likely been trimmed closely, making it hard to grip in order to restretch it. I don't think it would be a problem to insert your glued toothpickes through the old tack holes, which are already in the upholstery anyway, so it's not like you're punching new holes in the material. Just be sure the upholstery material is not pushing the glue off the toothpick as you insert it. (Ha! I see that's already been addressed as I was typing this!)

Save the old top for someone preserving a barn fresh/patina car. Used fabric is scarcer than hens teeth.

Allan from down under.

I like the syringe idea! Thanks Cuda Man. I will save the old top, too.