[Carpe Diem]

I noticed that the edge of the fabric top of my GXP Roadster, that little bead or hem or whatever it's called around the edge over the side windows, was showing some wear, and before long, it was beginning to fray. I found that it was caused by chafing on the gray felt liner on the inside of the trunk, both sides. That liner sticks in a little ways from the trunk side panel and can be pushed back a bit to give clearance to the place on the top where the chafing occurs. The fix I came up with is pretty easy and quick. I just wish I'd have noticed earlier. I got some plastic whatchamacallits, push fasteners I guess, from Mike's Auto Tops in Mission Viejo (sorry for the shameless plug for the upholstery shop that made my custom tonneau cover.) I just drilled 1/4" holes and hammered in the fasteners. Works like a charm. The whole installation didn't take even 10 minutes.

I hope this may help someone else with the same problem.

Suggestion: Check our your top for the same wear before is starts to fray like mine did. With the top-down stored position in the trunk, check the clearance between where the fabric of the top folds and the sides of your trunk. If it doesn't have adequate clearance, then you can do something to avoid the problem before it happens rather than having to fix the problem. Just sayin'.

 

[TomatoSoup]

Beat you! Mod: Simple 'No-roof-wear-from-trunk-liner' fix.

Was on this forum too, but so old that the links are bad and photo reposts got deleted (http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f62/mod-simple-no-roof-wear-trunk-liner-fix-63560/)

 

[chickenwire]

Don't sweat it, Carpe. Soup just likes to point out when he beats someone else. He usually just beats himself.

 

[TomatoSoup]

[...] He usually just beats himself.

Talk about chafing...!

 

[rob the elder]

Beats himself? He is too old for that!

Nicely done CD. Thanks for bringing up to date a long term issue that many of the newer owners may not be aware exists.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Yeah, I thought Soups fix was to cure the top not fitting into the trunk easily problem and I wasn;t sure where the wear was. some may be more concerned with that so I'm going to move that mod from the back burner to the front now.

Thank You Both.

 

[Carpe Diem]

Beat you! Mod: Simple 'No-roof-wear-from-trunk-liner' fix.

Was on this forum too, but so old that the links are bad and photo reposts got deleted (http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f62/mod-simple-no-roof-wear-trunk-liner-fix-63560/)

OK. You win. (But I didn't know we were racing.):lol:

Having read the posts on the two solutions, maybe someone can avoid the problem before their top gets damaged like mine.

 

[rob the elder]

I have the kappa blanket solution.:thumbs:

 

[TomatoSoup]

I have the kappa blanket solution.:thumbs:

Yeah, but that's for top wear, not side/edge wear.

 

[rob the elder]

Yeah, but that's for top wear, not side/edge wear.

I am not here as a proponent of any one solution. But, actually mine does not contact the bottom of the liner and the blanket does wrap around the ends of the top to prevent wear against the side of the trunk.

I am thinking about putting in the TS solution as a way to get more room on the sides. :thumbs:

 

[TX08manualGXP]

My youngest son went on his first airplane ride a couple weeks ago and didn't know he was supposed to leave the blankets on the plane. I have 2 and they are the perfect size to fit in the trunk and cover the entire top. I still want to do the push pin mod or Robs drain cover mod too though but for now, I'm covered.

 

[rob the elder]

My youngest son went on his first airplane ride a couple weeks ago and didn't know he was supposed to leave the blankets on the plane. I have 2 and they are the perfect size to fit in the trunk and cover the entire top. I still want to do the push pin mod or Robs drain cover mod too though but for now, I'm covered.

LOL

Literally......:devil:

 

[chickenwire]

So . . . tx . . . using the boy as a "mule" to haul stuff off the airplane, huh?

(Genius!)

 

[fastscot]

Just identified the same problem. So far little damage to the top. I used heavy duty reinforced packaging tape to line the area giving the top a good slippery place to rest against.

 

[BellaVerde]

Just identified the same problem. So far little damage to the top. I used heavy duty reinforced packaging tape to line the area giving the top a good slippery place to rest against.

Really interesting how these problems cycle through at the same time! Working on Bella yesterday I noticed a darkening spot on my Lightside top edge. So, some inspection and I found the color rubbing off the foam trunk edge liner, BELOW the clear tape protection. Just added some clear packing tape below that to solve the problem. Just waiting for that fix to wear out to get some heavy duty clear tape that will last longer.

 

[24222]

Just finished doing this preventative mod as posted at the beginning and in doing so I have noticed another area that needed. At the front right corner of the top when its down in the trunk it too was also rubbing against the liner so I drilled a hole and zip tied it to the drain hose just beside it.

As well as a question about two other spots on the trunk floor where the striker pins sit ( I think they're called that ) ,I think in time they are going to wear right thru the trunk pan. Has anyone done anything here to help stop it from proceeding any further.

 

[TomatoSoup]

The part with the red arrow, is a rubber mat attached to the liner. Even it it were to wear through, the trunk base is still below that. I wouldn't worry.

 

[24222]

No its not !.....fibreglass ! at least in this one