Patching the Hood?

[378S2]

Hello folks,

I am a new owner of an S2 (#378). He's generally in excellent condition - thank you to the previous owners for looking after him.

The hood has a couple of very small holes in the usual places which will grow to larger ones where the frame rubs. The outside looks pristine though - am I on to a winner if I go and buy some suitable patches and either iron them on from the inside or use contact adhesive? With the rubs patched and water tight I will get a few more years out of the roof.

Thanks in advance, GS.

[dapinky]

Hello and welcome.

The 'standard' repair is to use a flexible contact adhesive and a patch. I have seen (or used) various things from leather offcuts to a thick fabric - but the 'best' solution seems to be using a piece of seat belt webbing as it is extremely hard wearing.

The holes can be made pretty invisible if you stick on the patch, then spend a little time from the outside pushing and poking all the frayed bits into the 'hole' whilst the glue is still tacky.

[378S2]

Thanks Dave - I saw a long thread on glue choice which I did not get to the end of. Do you know off the top of your mind if some standard contact adhesive on both pieces will be ok? Thanks!

[Rambo]

And for a temporary solution whilst you go in search of an old seat belt, black gaffer tape works well. It stops it getting worse anyway

[Kipperozzy]

I use Stormsure for fishing wader repair, waterproof and flexible. Various types on their website

[CallMeLegend]

Have a couple of thin patches where the frame rubs, attached a couple of mohait patches on the inside using stormsure early this morning, will report back.....

[378S2]

Thanks guys - I will get this sorted then. I’m in Perth WA so we don’t get a lot of rain but when we do it’s pretty spectacular!

[dapinky]

Thanks Dave - I saw a long thread on glue choice which I did not get to the end of. Do you know off the top of your mind if some standard contact adhesive on both pieces will be ok? Thanks!

Lots of opinions on this one - personally, I use Bostik 2402 which is a 2-pack contact adhesive.... mainly because I had some at home as I use it for repairs to my drysuits. If it is good enough for MOD recomendation for naval drysuits, it is good enough for a Lotus roof!

That said, Evostik contact adhesive or similar will probably work - just make sure it sets flexible, otherwise it will simply crack and break away.

[CallMeLegend]

Have a couple of thin patches where the frame rubs, attached a couple of mohair patches on the inside using stormsure early this morning, will report back.....

[Simon_P]

Thanks Dave - I saw a long thread on glue choice which I did not get to the end of. Do you know off the top of your mind if some standard contact adhesive on both pieces will be ok? Thanks!

Use a high temperature contact adhesive as it is going to get hot. Also be aware that the contact adhesive might react with the plasticisers in some vinyls or plastics.