Can a Mohair soft top be patched?

Technical Area Routine Servicing
2

Hi,

Just have just removed the hard top from my Mk2.5, now that spring is well and truely here (yup, it’s gonna rain from now on and you can blame me :-D). When the soft top was put back up, I noticed a pin prick of light coming from the roof. It’s no bigger that 1mm diameter, however, it is a hole not the less and that bothers me and so I’m looking to get it sorted before it gets any bigger.

I don’t think it justifies a brand new hood (at least I’m really hoping not!) and was wonder if it could be patched in anyway, to prevent the hole from increasing in size? Like a puncher repair kit for bike maybe?

The hood is mohair rather than pvc and searching these forums seems to return ziltch, but that could be me.

Any advice would be welcomed with open arms!

 

Cheers

Al

3

Is it Mohair or Moleskin?

I have seen this stuff used before, I think its for wet suits.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STORMSURE-5g-repair-adhesive-fixes-holes-rips-tears-/350447009909?pt=UK_Crafts_Cardmaking_Scrapbooking_Glue_Tape_EH&hash=item5198450075&clk_rvr_id=456380634686

It can be put on the inside if you have access from inside and then pushed through the pin prick, then carefully trim excess.

4

 Mohair, like all hoods, is a laminate construction, with a rubber layer. Sounds like the rubber has started to rot, so don’t be surprised if other piuholes start to appear.

5

I have edited this post as I have been a pleb, it is indeed Mohair, just completely forgot lol

6

Hi AT, cheers for being the barer of bad news. However, my question is still valid if I want/need to put off paying £300+ for a complete new hood and want to stop the water running in through it when I next wash it…

 

I shall order some of the StormSure stuff and see if that plugs the hole in the intermediate term.

 

Anyone one else got any other suggestions?

7

You may have been subjected to the attach of the Kitty sunbathers, this may be the reason for the hole

See attached link to another forum discussion.

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/57003.aspx

8

Hi I used one of these kits from eBay and found it great for small holes in a mohair roof, eBay item 261177358071

9

I’ve used one of those kits on a damaged wetsuit (three big circular tears - 3 inch diameter) and it has lasted very well over the last 3 years with lots of bending, stretching, dunking in brine, getting very cold and being left in direct sunlight. A bit like a mohair hod in some respects!

 

Good luck.

10

Hi.

 

Well I bit the bullet and bought one of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350729909326

All I have to do now, is to wait for the MX5 to defrost and dry after the change in weather since we took the hard top off :-S

Once patched up, I’ll keep an eye out for any further holes or signs of wear and tear. However, I’ll also be keeping an eye out for those pesky kitties, as last summer the bonnet was forever being covered with paw prints. So the theory of a cat puncturing the roof is a viable theory.

 

Cheers Guys

Al