The Ford Barn

Automotive Stud · 06-02-2023, 05:24 AM

Over the winter I put a new top insert in my coupe. It fit nice when I did it in April, but now that it's gotten warmer it's loose in the middle. My friends told me vinyl will shrink, leave it in the sun, ect, but leaving it in the sun almost makes it worse. I chased it around with a heat gun, it seems like that just moved the looseness to the edge. I'm thinking of unstapling the edge and tucking it tighter but I don't want to ruin the new edging material. Is there something else I can do to make it fit better?

ronn · 06-02-2023, 05:49 AM

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what you suggest makes the most sense. You may have to replace the edge trim, if you cant free it intact.

I have seen similar results when shops install convertible tops. They loosen up, wrinkle and dont look so good. Imperative to get it tight from the beginning. also may have to do with the pad used in the top. Should be cotton and not a variation of plastic, that will decay over time.

06-02-2023, 05:24 AM	#1
Automotive Stud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 832	New vinyl top insert fits loose Over the winter I put a new top insert in my coupe. It fit nice when I did it in April, but now that it's gotten warmer it's loose in the middle. My friends told me vinyl will shrink, leave it in the sun, ect, but leaving it in the sun almost makes it worse. I chased it around with a heat gun, it seems like that just moved the looseness to the edge. I'm thinking of unstapling the edge and tucking it tighter but I don't want to ruin the new edging material. Is there something else I can do to make it fit better?

06-02-2023, 05:49 AM	#2
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: New vinyl top insert fits loose Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) what you suggest makes the most sense. You may have to replace the edge trim, if you cant free it intact. I have seen similar results when shops install convertible tops. They loosen up, wrinkle and dont look so good. Imperative to get it tight from the beginning. also may have to do with the pad used in the top. Should be cotton and not a variation of plastic, that will decay over time.