Avoiding Soft-top Tears

[mbboy]

I see 2, 4-5" wear lines starting to develop on my soft-top at the points above the driver's door that crease when the top is stored. I was wondering if anyone found a way to prevent the lines from wearing further and eventually ripping. Thanks for any advice anyone can give me on this

[rocky raccoon]

I fold a soft blanket between the top folds as I stow it. Helps on a lot of wear points and minimizes window scratches.

[gqmagic]

I believe he's talking about the canvas.

How old is the top? Is the bottom bead fraying?

[Strife]

I think that this is just where it wears out first. Mine did. As far as I could tell the canvas has a layer of rubber between it and the headliner. When this rubber gets old/dries out/rots, that's basically it.

[mbboy]

Originally Posted by gqmagic

How old is the top? Is the bottom bead fraying?

Top is original, and bottom bead is slightly frayed at a few places, particularly where it's supposed to meet the trunk lid. I say "supposed to" because the top has shrunk and the edges have turned up -- of course. I'm just trying to get as much use as I can out of it, before having to replace it.

I'll try putting a blanket in there to see if that'll help, But if it's caused by deterioration of the rubber between the headliner and the canvas, who knows how long I'll get before it rips. I'm hoping for another 2 years.

Thanks for the advice.

[New 450sl Owner]

I have noticed wear too. What I have done is cut two pieces if fomica aprocimately 8" by 11". I place these, shiney side toward the top and dull side towrd tha taneau seal, when raising and lowering the top, the top slides rather than "jumps" over the seal. I store the Formica pieces under the taneau cover so they are available whenever needed. Works Great!