When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just had a new top installed. Looks great but after putting the top down a few timesI noticed something was wrong. The bow that is right behind the side window, was loose from the top. Upon checking it out, I discovered the 2 staples on the passenger side had not been bent over at all, and 1 on the drivers side had been somewhat bent, and the other had not been bent. The shop is going to take care of the problem once the weather breaks. Is this an easy fix, or does the top have to be removed? Also is there a special tool for driving the staples into the bow?
Somewhat difficult to follow your narrative -- perhaps you could add a photo or two?
The top frame's bows are identified as: Header, #1, #2, #3, and Rear. Perhaps you are describing #1 or #2 bow? Here, top fabric material is not stapled to tack strips in these bows. It is the pads -- under the top fabric -- that should be securely stapled to 1 & 2 (and 3, and header). See photos for illustration.
If you are indicating that there are 'pad-to-tack-strip' staples (#1 and/or #2) that were not "set", and these are creeping outward, soon to puncture the top fabric; that would not be a good thing. What does 'bent, somewhat bent' mean in your original post?
I just had a new top installed. Looks great but after putting the top down a few timesI noticed something was wrong. The bow that is right behind the side window, was loose from the top. Upon checking it out, I discovered the 2 staples on the passenger side had not been bent over at all, and 1 on the drivers side had been somewhat bent, and the other had not been bent. The shop is going to take care of the problem once the weather breaks. Is this an easy fix, or does the top have to be removed? Also is there a special tool for driving the staples into the bow?
The only staples on a C2 top are into the bows, and on each side at the header. You can't see any of them with the ragtop installed. Where are you talking about. Post a picture.All of the staples are driven into a tack strip, and don't "bend over". I'm not understanding what you're talking about.
Thanks for the replies. It would be #2 bow. The staples were put thru the pad under the top fabric. I assumed when installed the staples bent over like when 2 pieces of paper are stapled. I see from the response I am wrong. So for the pass. side 2 staples are going thru the pad under the top fabric but are not set into the tac strip. Same on drivers side except these 2 staples the legs were bent and did not secure to tac strip and will need to be replaced. I'll try to add pictures but not to good at this. I think with the top halfway down he may be able to put install new staples. Do you think that is possible?
BP -
It appears that you are saying that at 3 or 4 locations, the staple legs & staple crowns 'squashed' during improper installation at angle sufficient to form a 'point' -- rather than the legs driving properly into tack strip mat'l. And, that sharp point has now protruded through the pad & is endangering the top fabric. If this is the case, then the point has poked through the (1) pad's vinyl surface, (2) it's cloth surfaces, and (3) the foam layer in order to now be right under the top fabric. Refer to the partially stapled #2 bow in upper photo of my previous post & the uninstalled pad components in photo below. No staple crowns on pad outer fabric, as it is folded/glued to secure. Don't see how a proper remedy could be done without getting enough top fabric removed to expose, disassemble and correctly install the pad assembly. I'm no expert & it's difficult to diagnose without photos -- hopefully Larry Woods, others, with tons of top install experience will offer advise. Curious what your installer has opined.
vark wso. Thanks again. What you just said is exactly what happened. I actually discovered the problem because of a sharp protrusion in the top. I was able to remove those 2 staples before any damage occurred. Unfortunately I won't be able to get the car to the shop probably until mid March when the snow is over and the roads are salt free. I have talked to the shop owner and I am confident the problem will be taken care of. The more I look at it I think the top will have to be removed to the point where he can put in new staples. As I said in my post I was just curious if it was an easy fix. I guess the answer is no.
new conv. top problem
