The softtop in my aged Fiat Barchetta (1997) has got a tear in it, and
in the recent downpours I've had to empty close to 5 litres from the
hood storage area.

I've temporarily put some Duck Tape over the hole which (whilst
aesthetically not perfect) does the job short term. But even in the
few days that its been on it has started to peel away at the edges.

PVC seems to be one of those things that doesn't like being stuck to -
what could I add under the edges of the gaffer tape to create a better
seal and less likelihood of the tape peeling away?

btw, replacement hood is financially out of the question at the
moment!

Matt

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember saying
something like:

PVC seems to be one of those things that doesn't like being stuck to -
what could I add under the edges of the gaffer tape to create a better
seal and less likelihood of the tape peeling away?

If you're sure it's PVC, you could use a PVC adhesive and another patch
of PVC. Done carefully enough the repair wouldn't look pikey at all, oh
no.

In article
,
wrote:
The softtop in my aged Fiat Barchetta (1997) has got a tear in it, and
in the recent downpours I've had to empty close to 5 litres from the
hood storage area.

I've temporarily put some Duck Tape over the hole which (whilst
aesthetically not perfect) does the job short term. But even in the
few days that its been on it has started to peel away at the edges.

PVC seems to be one of those things that doesn't like being stuck to -
what could I add under the edges of the gaffer tape to create a better
seal and less likelihood of the tape peeling away?

If it is PVC you can buy PVC glue that actually dissolves the surface
slightly. A PVC patch applied with that should hold.

I'd give these people a ring - they're a small company and very helpful.

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

--
*A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

wrote:
The softtop in my aged Fiat Barchetta (1997) has got a tear in it, and
in the recent downpours I've had to empty close to 5 litres from the
hood storage area.

I've temporarily put some Duck Tape over the hole which (whilst
aesthetically not perfect) does the job short term. But even in the
few days that its been on it has started to peel away at the edges.

PVC seems to be one of those things that doesn't like being stuck to -
what could I add under the edges of the gaffer tape to create a better
seal and less likelihood of the tape peeling away?

btw, replacement hood is financially out of the question at the
moment!

Matt
Old fashioned solvent based Evostik is the best or possibly hit a camper
supply place for an inflatable mattress repair kit.

However, once it starts to tear, generally its time for a new hood, many
years of Spridgets tell me.

In article
,
writes
The softtop in my aged Fiat Barchetta (1997) has got a tear in it, and
in the recent downpours I've had to empty close to 5 litres from the
hood storage area.

I've temporarily put some Duck Tape over the hole which (whilst
aesthetically not perfect) does the job short term. But even in the
few days that its been on it has started to peel away at the edges.

PVC seems to be one of those things that doesn't like being stuck to -
what could I add under the edges of the gaffer tape to create a better
seal and less likelihood of the tape peeling away?

There are specialist adhesives for this kind of work, the term you are
looking for is 'vinyl repair'. It usually involves putting a reinforcing
patch underneath, gluing that in place and waiting for it to set then
applying the same 'glue' to top side to fill in the cut from the top
side and seal it.

Amateur adhesives used to be available from motor factors and that is
where I got some when I did such a repair many moons ago but googling
for "vinyl repair" +uk should find what you want.

If you don't feel up to that, there are many upholsterers specialising
in car work and if you find the right one they may do a repair for the
right price.

The pro stuff comes in kits with pigments to match colour and can match
grain from missing sections by taking moulds.
--
fred
BBC3, ITV2/3/4, channels going to the DOGs

On 18 May, 11:54, wrote:

I've temporarily put some Duck Tape over the hole which (whilst
aesthetically not perfect) does the job short term. But even in the
few days that its been on it has started to peel away at the edges.

Woolies are good, but also phone Fiat and ask them what it's made of.
If it's PVC, then one of the solvent weld compounds: "Vinylweld" or
even plumber's wastepipe weld from Screwfix will sort it. If it's
polyurethane, then your best choice is "Shoe goo" or one of the PU
cements sold (Wilkos) for sticking soles to shoes. Evo-stik 528 is no
use for either, but would be good if it's an old (or better quality)
hood in duck canvas.

You'll need a patch, for strength. You may even need to scrap a cloth
inner surface off the inside of the plastic, so that you can glue your
patch of matching material onto the inside of the plastic, not through
the headliner fabric.