Plans to replace my B's soft top have been put on hold for another year (new kitchen - how the hell do they cost so much?), so I need to do some running repairs on the old one. It doesn't need to be 100% watertight, as I go to ridiculous lengths to avoid using the B in the rain, but I would like to make it look a bit less tatty - and that means finding a way of securing the edge of the fabric around the rear screen under the thin black rubber trim. It came adrift in the two lower corners several years ago, but despite several ineffectual attempts to ease it back under, it's now come adrift around 3/4 of the window.

Any top tips to secure it back under the rubber trim? I'm reluctant to resort to contact adhesive, as if you don't get it right first time it just makes matters 100 times worse.

Sorry Garath, don't know what to suggest, I read somewhere that the panel can be replaced as in unzipped, but don't know if this is correct. I replaced my hood a good few years ago so can't look at mine to advise.

I don't think the late 90s models can be unzipped.
Would stitching+silicone sealant be an option?

gar074 said:

I would like to make it look a bit less tatty - and that means finding a way of securing the edge of the fabric around the rear screen under the thin black rubber trim.

Click to expand...

Fitting the edge of the fabric under the rubber trim that is sewed to the window may be hard or even impossible, as the rubber trim loses its elasticity and shape with time. While trying, I would rather use strong, elastic double side adhesive tape instead of glue or silicone.

You may also secure the edge without fitting it under the trim, by using PVC edge protection (or however the English term may be) that is usually used with sheet metal. It is plastic with metal clips inside, strong, very elastic and self-gripping. It is mounted without any glue and may be removed easily before installing the new window. Use the 1 mm size.

I have tried it at my roof where the original edge trim has teared off. The edge of fabric is no longer attached to the window but it looks fine and works fine too.

Our 2005 'B' had a rear screen that could be unzipped and replaced.

The bigger issue was that the Fiat replacement screen cost about the same, if not more, that a full replacement after market Mohair hood. As our original vinyl hood was also showing its age then a new full non Fiat hood made sense.

is this any help

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Barc...hash=item56856e8fa3:m:ma6CmkVgoil12dGPhT7aW1A

The screen itself is OK - I've seen a lot worse - it's getting the hood to seal around the edge of it that's the problem.