I had my convertible top replaced but they used the OEM headliner. The new tops rear window is lower than the old one so the headliner barely sticks to the window and always falls down. I've put sticky backed Velcro and put fabric glue on it. It's not wanting to hold. Can I sew the Velcro on? Or would that ruin my top and make it leak?

Will the not fix what they screwed up?

2G Josh said:

Will the not fix what they screwed up?

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They didn't really screw anything up it stays up its just when I drive after a day or two it falls down. Plus I had it replaced a while ago and it's just now really starting to bug me.

You should definitely not sew anything to the cover, as any penetration will create a hole in the rubber membrane that lines the canvas and provide a water path.

Is the velcro to attach the headliner on the window and just too low to catch the headliner fully? I would suggest making a bridging strip, wide enough to reach the two surfaces. On one side the velcro to match what is on the top, and on the opposite side the velcro to attach to what is on the headliner. then engaging them all at one should provide attachment but have the flexibility to stay on with top movement. Hope that makes sense.

iceman510 said:

You should definitely not sew anything to the cover, as any penetration will create a hole in the rubber membrane that lines the canvas and provide a water path.

Is the velcro to attach the headliner on the window and just too low to catch the headliner fully? I would suggest making a bridging strip, wide enough to reach the two surfaces. On one side the velcro to match what is on the top, and on the opposite side the velcro to attach to what is on the headliner. then engaging them all at one should provide attachment but have the flexibility to stay on with top movement. Hope that makes sense.

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Kinda. The Velcro I have stays together it's just the adhesive on the Velcro can't hold onto the top. And yes the window Velcro is too low for the headliner.

I think the original velcro or dual lock (can't remember which it was) is attached to the glass on one side, sewed to the headliner on the other. Adhesive will hold to the glass if installed properly. That is why I am suggesting a bridge strip to reach if the glass is lower.

iceman510 said:

I think the original velcro or dual lock (can't remember which it was) is attached to the glass on one side, sewed to the headliner on the other. Adhesive will hold to the glass if installed properly. That is why I am suggesting a bridge strip to reach if the glass is lower.

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So sew a longer one into the headliner?

I had to repair my top when I got my Spyder. Couldn't afford to get it replaced. Leaked really bad and was missing one of the support arms. Anyway, I had to do a but of sewing to patch up a small hole (Mitsu logo patch). Then Sprayed the entire exterior of the top (rear widow covered) with a tent water-proofer. I used 2 cans (probably was 6-10 coats, letting it dry in-between). The once raggedy top no longer leaks, looks good, and can be washed. Good luck with yours dude.
If you find a way to get velcro to stick, let me know cuz my headliner still hangs down a bit in the front.

Just pull it hard enough to stick to the velcro of the stay fast top mine falls all the time so I just do that. Driving the car rattling bumps it's gonna come loose eventually.

bduran1220 said:

Just pull it hard enough to stick to the velcro of the stay fast top mine falls all the time so I just do that. Driving the car rattling bumps it's gonna come loose eventually.

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The problem is, there has to be some slack for movement when the top is opened.

rolltidero said:

So sew a longer one into the headliner?

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I am picturing this (hope to be clear):

A strip of material as long as the velcro horizontally, perhaps two inches wide vertically. On side A we'll call it, facing the rear, attach (sew probably) the opposite velcro surface needed to attach to the window velcro along the lower edge for the full width needed. This should attach to the window.

On side B of the strip (opposite side) facing forward, sew the opposite Velcro surface needed to attach to the headliner along the upper edge for the required width. This should attach to the headliner.

I would be more specific on the velcro, but can't recall which surface (window or headliner) has the hook side, and which has the loop side. The strip may need to be wider (vertically) depending on your actual positioning of the two surfaces, to provide some flexibility to hold when the top is opened/closed.

Hope that helps.

Maybe try using gorilla glue. That stuff is insanely strong. On our '97 original convertible top, the part top around the window in the outside is coming up, so we are going to use gorilla glue to try and fix it. If you haven't found a solution, I can let you know how ours turns out if you'd like.