Hi,
I’ve recently noticed a problem with my 05 NC’s black canvas softtop. Essentially, there seemt to be a number or air pockets/bubbles formed on the front part of the soft top (i.e. the hard strip alongside the top of the windscreen frame). I suspect that these are due to mildew. I’ve now bought an array of stuff to tackle the mildew and I’m confident that I can lessen/remove the staining but I have no idea how to tackle these air bubbles. Has anyone got any tips?
Thanks,
Joe
I am somewhat puzzled by this. If there is an air bubble, it must be trapped between two waterproof layers or skins. Would it be possible to post some photographs for a better look at the problem?
Regards Geoff Peace.
Hi,
Many thanks for getting back to me on this. I’m not sure how to post pictures within a forum post (is this possible), but here are two links to two images I took this morning:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/36402192/IMAG0046.jpg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/36402192/IMAG0047.jpg
Thanks,
Joe
The only fix for this would be to strip the hood from the front of the frame and relieve the air from underneath, by either puncturing or removing that strip.
TBH honest if it was my car I would fit a new hood (but that’s what we do!) The OEM hood is not great, made in China to a price
Thanks for getting back to me on this. Unfortunately, hood replacement isn’t much of an option for me since I live in Malta (I used to live in the UK; hence my membership here). The only thing I could replace it with is an original one from Mazda themselves locally but I’d imagine that would cost me an arm and a leg…
G’day Joe
Off topic sorry, but how do you find driving a ‘5 on Malta? I drove my Mk1 down to Gozo from UK in 2006 and swore I wouldn’t do it again, the roads were so dreadful. I wished I’ had been in a Hylux.
Hi Geoff,
Yeah the roads locally leave a lot to be desired. They’re improving gradually and there are now some nice smooth windy roads but most of them are still riddled with potholes. I guess I’m sort of used to them being Maltese myself 
I manage to memorise most of them (believe it or not) and so, so far I haven’t had any major issues. That being said, I’m replacing the shocks soon as they’ve softed considerably now.
Still, the weather then makes up for things - I can drive the car round with the roof down even now.
joe
My goodness that is terrible. I do sympathise, but as already suggested a new hood would seem the solution. I suspect, but this is only a hunch, that somehow water has got in and then the hot Maltese sun has done the rest. It could not happen in England, no sunshine! Having said that there does not seem to be a great deal to lose by bursting one with a needle, see what comes out, probably water. Then try to reproof. A very long shot I know but faced with the alternative! Please post how you solve this.
Regards Geoff Peace
As I said earlier, Release the hood from the frame at the ftont and puncture from underneath, NOT FROM ON TOP. The material is a cloth sandwich arounr a rubber membrane. I believe your problem lies with strip getting water between that and the underside
Thanks all for the tips. Yeah, I suspect the Maltese sun doesn’t help in this case! I’ll try to tackle it from underneath as suggested when I get some time and see what gives. Needless to say, I’ll post the results here
Thanks again and merry xmas to all!
joe
Interesting! What you are saying is that the hood is very similar to the original ‘Mackintosh’ which was rubber between two layers of canvas. If this is the case, when a hood leaks due to the membrane failing in some way, how exactly does reproofing render it waterproof again? Surely it can only be a temporary measure. I ask because my car is now eight years old, the hood looks like new, and the only treatment it has had is washing with plain water and if it has not been used for a while, say in winter, no salt on my hood thankyou very much, I vacuum it. The car is garaged, avoiding sunlight which I think does a great deal of harm, pretty much only gets wet when it is washed, so I have never thought of reproofing. However I read on this forum of members reproofing every six months, surely if a hood needs reproofing twice a year, the car needs a new hood! In my opinion. Am I right, or have I missed something? All opinions/advice welcome.
Regards Geoff Peace
reproofing keeps the algea out of the cloth, it also protects the stitching (which can rot) and stops leaking at the stitching.
I can understand the stitching rotting, mainly due to sunlight I would think, but am I right in saying that if the waterproof membrane has failed in any way, and the hood is allowing water through, obviously I do not mean something like a faulty door seal, reproofing is not going to render it waterproof again. Or does it? I would very much like to know. As said previously I have done nothing to my hood in eight years, except wash with plain water, it does not leak, is this an exception or the general rule? If I were to apply some kind of proofer I may do more harm than good, On the ‘If it aint broke don’t fix it’ principle. All thoughts, ideas etc. most welcome.
Regards Geoff Peace.