Velcro strip for convertible roof coming apart

Hi folks! I don't know how many C4 droptops we've got here on the forums, but I hope someone will know the answer to this question... on the C4 convertible, there is a velcro strip for securing an internal flap of the roof assembly to the convertible frame. The portion of the velcro strip that is on the roof frame itself is coming undone... if the passengers side window is open while driving, you can see it flappin' in the breeze, and is about to let go and fall off... I do not use it anymore to secure that flap, as there is very little holding it on now and I am afraid it's going to come right off real soon here.

My concern is the proper way to re-adhere it to the roof frame. On one hand, using a glue that isn't strong enough will have no positive result, but on the other hand, what if we need to have it replaced or worked on later? My gut is telling me to use a strong epoxy, but I am worried that will result in a bond that can never be undone in the future without replacing the entire roof frame...

Comments, anyone?

Top I have a convertible and I have problems with the side flaps by the windows. They always seem to blow open from not securing well anymore. I was thinking of some new velcro or come up with some type of clip. I'm wondering if the glue on the new velcro is strong enough. I'll check around and see what I can come up with and get back to you.

Thanks dude, yeh, please let me know what you find. There is some pressure on those velcro pads when that flap is secured, so I am sure the standard "glue" that comes on those velcro strips won't even last a minute... we need something a little stickier, I am just trying to figure out exactly what to use so I don't do permanent things that aren't reversible.....

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bagpipingjake

Top I have a convertible and I have problems with the side flaps by the windows. They always seem to blow open from not securing well anymore. I was thinking of some new velcro or come up with some type of clip. I'm wondering if the glue on the new velcro is strong enough. I'll check around and see what I can come up with and get back to you.

By the way, dude, I have found on the drivers side (where the velcro strip is still secured quite well) if I push it on, then wiggle it a tiny amount, it seems to set the velcro "teeth" a little firmer into each other, and that has gotten rid of that particular problem for me. Did that make any sense?

Here are a couple pictures, to help illustrate the issue.....


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Someone I know has suggested "Industrial Strength Velcro"... available at arts and crafts stores apparently... that might be worth a shot, I'll post results later next week, unless someone else has a better idea?

Hey dude I have used the velcro sold buy my local fabric store to hold down a truck bed cover , the glue on that stuf is impresive to say the least . The velcro on my drop top is doing the same as yours , someone has tryed weather strip glue but that didn't hold . I will probably scape the old ones off and get some from the fabric store ,these are wider but you can cut them down to the right size,
(waves like crazy and drives off)
Good day eh!

3M makes an industial strength double sided tape for the marine industry and I would imagine for the auto industry as well. go to any 3M distributer in your area and see if they have it. if they don't they can get it for you. they make several kinds. it's the thin clear tape. it's real strong and will come off later with mineral spirets.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crash

Hey dude I have used the velcro sold buy my local fabric store to hold down a truck bed cover , the glue on that stuf is impresive to say the least . The velcro on my drop top is doing the same as yours , someone has tryed weather strip glue but that didn't hold . I will probably scape the old ones off and get some from the fabric store ,these are wider but you can cut them down to the right size,
(waves like crazy and drives off)
Good day eh!

Good day, Hoser! This is a good idea; I will try to source this stuff out here locally... thanks my friend!!

*waves madly*

quote:

ORIGINAL: blueshark

3M makes an industial strength double sided tape for the marine industry and I would imagine for the auto industry as well. go to any 3M distributer in your area and see if they have it. if they don't they can get it for you. they make several kinds. it's the thin clear tape. it's real strong and will come off later with mineral spirets.

Man, that's a great idea too! We live on a small island over here, so I don't know if we have a 3M distributor close by, but I am gonna look for one! Thanks my friend!!

Oh man, I had a great night last night on this topic!! Too good not to share here... I got a call from a local 'Vette owner/enthusiast who was SO friendly!! He kept saying "you didn't just buy a car, you joined a club, let me help you out." I am overwhelmed with the kindness and fellowship I have found since gettin' our dream car, here at the forums and from a new friend here locally...

So anyways, he's got a 1987 convertible, too, and had the exact same problem. He is bringing over some heavy duty velcro that he used to fix his and is going to help me slap it on there. I insisted on paying him SOMETHING for his kindness and trouble, but he flatly refuses. It's actually a 45 minute drive from where he is to us, and him and his wife are gonna drop the top and come up to our place.

I CANNOT believe how cool this all is! I have made more friends in the last month since we got this car, than I have in the last 20 years. It's a fellowship, indeed!

I'll keep this thread updated as we move along, just in case anyone else has similar problems, they can use this thread as a reference. I'll also post pictures of the fixed results. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!

Top, I'm very interested in what he uses. My top on my 90 roadster is doing the same thing. I hate those things flapping in the breeze. Will he come to Massachusetss next ha ha. Anyways keep me posted. Thanks.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bagpipingjake

Top, I'm very interested in what he uses. My top on my 90 roadster is doing the same thing. I hate those things flapping in the breeze. Will he come to Massachusetss next ha ha. Anyways keep me posted. Thanks.

I'll ask him if he'll come down to see you over the weekend. Please, don't hold your breath though. LOL

No problemo, my friend, will do. Like I said, I'll post a concise story of what went down, and some photos of the after effects. From what I understand, this is definately gonna fix it up, so it should work good for you too.

Top how did you make out with the velcro?

Oh, thanks for the reminder, bro! Yeh, well... it went good and bad.

A new local Vette friend and his wife came over on Sunday afternoon for a visit. REAL nice folks! We have new friends here now...

Anyways, he brought some heavy duty velcro and some goop remover. We had a bear of a time gettin' the old crap off, we both think this repair has been attempted at least once before. Finally got it clean, applied new heavy duty velcro, looks great!

Here's the kicker. The older part on the liner flap that has the old "felt" on it still, will not stick to the newer heavy duty velcro teeth strip on the steel frame! I guess I have to go to an upholstery shop after all... I'll keep this thread updated as we move along, but it will probably be several weeks before I can get to it again.

OK, first run of repair complete, now to leave it for a few days to see how it fares.

Here's what I did.... I went to our local Canadian Tire and picked up a roll of normal Velcro. Here's the chain of events so far:
1) Came home
2) Stripped the old stuff off
3) Cleaned it with Goo-Gone
4) Washed the cleaned area with a little soap and water
5) Waited for it to dry thouroughly
6) Used my old piece as a template to cut a new piece with
7) Carefully placed the new strip on the frame; the box says NOT to move the strip once it's been placed as this will definately affect the stickiness of the glue
8) Took an Exacto-Knife and carefully, carefully cut the excess bit near the top of the frame where it narrows, to ensure there was no overlapping bit that would prematurely wear away from the roof with putting it up and down
9) Let it sit for 12 hours or so; the box said the adhesive would seat fully in 24 hours
10) Went on the highway, with windows down... so far SUCCESS!

I am not sure that the adhesive will stick well over time, but to be honest when I took a real close look at it this morning it seems to be on there pretty darned good to me. Also, now I have many extra feet of this stuff in the ol' garage, so if I need to do this every 6 months or so I really don't mind.

Thanks for all your support guys with this. I wanted to update this thread in case anyone else was experiencing the same. I will post further if I notice anything in the near future with the fix, otherwise I will consider this a viable way to tackle this issue.