Roof Suggestions

[Batlcry]

Well my roof for my '81 Spider 2000 finally died last summer, completely opened up on the seams on both driver and passenger sides where it folds.
So I am in to looking for a new roof for this upcoming summer. Browsing I see that there are 2 materials available, vinyl and cloth, at substantially different prices.
I'm looking for input from anyone who may have purchased and or installed a new roof on this car. Is cloth worth the extra cost? .. How easy or difficult is installation? .. Suggested suppliers?
Pretty much any info would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance..
Lon ✌

[RRoller123]

I had a black vinyl one installed in 2011, still going great. Less expensive than cloth, but cloth seems more supple, a little "classier".

Had a local upholstery specialist install it, as it is not for the faint hearted, although it can be done by the inexperienced. It is just that it may end up fitting and looking like it was done by the inexperienced. Or not. The time standard to do it is quite a few hours, if you know what you are doing.

Worth the money, I think the whole thing was under 500 bucks installed.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I've done 3 convertible top replacements, and they all have been cloth. Yes, more expensive, but as noted above, it looks classier and it folds nicer. I don't have any opinions as to whether cloth or vinyl is better in terms of wind noise or durability. The installation wasn't terribly difficult, although the work did involve some body contortions and working with contact cement which always seems to end up where you don't want it (including your hair....). I'd guess about 6 hours from start to finish, assuming no issues, although there is always the occasional rusted bolt or screw to deal with. If you do it yourself, take pictures or good notes to make sure you know how it all goes back together.

On my last cloth top, I was living in the Los Angeles area and I finagled my way into getting the top at wholesale price, which was about $180. The shop was ticked off when they found out I wasn't a "jobber" or licensed installation shop and they almost refused to sell it to me when I went to pick it up, but they finally relented and I got the top for $180. I guess they figured that since they had already fabricated the cloth top, they might as well sell it to me and move on. But, I doubt any of this would apply to your situation.

So, if price is a factor, go with vinyl. If you want a better top, go with cloth. As for whether you do the work or pay someone, that depends on how experienced you are with this type of work. As I said, not particularly difficult, but it's not a 3 hour job, either.

-Bryan

[geospider]

Did my top myself not that long ago. Robins Vinyl from Topsonline. top down more than up. But the Canvas is classier. Some say harder to keep clean
Have never done one before, but am a failry handy guy. As Bryan said, about 6 hours.
I removed the frame from car, cleaned and repainted; good time to check all bolts, etc.
Follow the instructions: vinyl or canvas. be careful, but not worried. As Bryan said: contact cement: not fun, but across the front bow' I did not allow to dry and get tacky since some movement when sliding it top onto the bow is important. for me; allowing it to "cure" after setting the position helped.
Allow the top to sit in the sun for a while before installation: helps the pliability.
Felt that mine turned out well: tight and secure.
There are many things on mine I had never done before and turned out great IMHO. Top, Upholstery, etc.
If handy, mechanical and can be methodical, then, GO FOR IT.




Geo

[joelittel]

I have the cloth top and installed it myself. Time estimates are accurate, it took the better half of a Saturday.

The cloth top is more difficult to clean than my vinyl one was, but I find using a lint roller works really well and makes short work of it.

If you decide to do the install yourself don’t rush. Once you apply the glue and tighten everything up it’s difficult to go back and adjust, so I recommend a dry run or two first. Getting it perfectly centered on the frame was the hardest part for me. Also spend a little extra time setting the leading edge, where the windshield frame meets the bow. There’s a seam that runs along this edge that looks awful if it isn’t aligned just right.

I highly recommend refurbishing the frame before installing the top. A new top on a sad frame makes no sense.

[spidernut]

I've done several tops too. Vinyl is easier to clean and is less expensive. Cloth looks more expensive but tends to catch fuzz, dust and scuffs show more. (I have both a vinyl top on one car and a cloth top on another). Installation is the same for both tops.

The vinyl top purchased from World Upholstery was installed in 2002...yes, 18 years ago. The back window is just now starting to get rust colored spots on it. It is still clear and the vinyl has held up exceptionally. It is finally time to replace though. One of the other tops was from Germanex (who officially doesn't sell directly to the public). That was an incredibly well made top and fit perfectly.

Installation isn't specifically difficult, but like another said you have to be a contortionist. I found removing the front and rear seats helped immensely. The top is held in place with contact cement on the header bow and intermediate bows. The rear along the trunk is held in with a V channel and a few screws. The tension cables along the sides of the convertible top are held in the back with an anchor and screw. The good news is that you can install the back section first, then dry fit it to the header bow to ensure it is on straight, then glue the header bow first and the intermediate bows afterwards.

Your first time around will take about 6-8 hours. I think it took me under 3 hours to do the last one I installed.

[DieselSpider]

Bottom line is while cloth will look better when new its more work to keep it that way. If you want the car for shows and the extra work fussing to keep the top free of stains, streaks, etc is no issue go for cloth however for a driver where easy to clean and maintain is the goal then go with the vinyl top.