Author:
Bobbie Johnson
Date Of Creation:
3 April 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
In modern cabriolet cars, glass windows in soft folding roofs are often not sewn, but glued to fabric, vinyl or other soft materials with molded plastic tape. Due to the drying out of the fabric due to oversight or for other reasons, the glass can come off and then it is very difficult to reattach it. It can be attached using double-sided adhesive tape made of 3M VHB polyurethane foam (which the author used, although others will also work), but in order to avoid constant stretching and as a result of rupture, it must be applied in a special way.
Steps
1 Attach the soft roof material (“fabric”) to the glass when only part of the fabric is removed so that the glass is not re-centered in the opening in the fabric. If it really needs to be re-centered, then this must be done by measuring the distances of the rear window heating grille and taking them for guides, but in any case, temporarily holding the glass in place with adhesive tape on a fabric base or another type of adhesive tape 
2 Open the top a little so that there is no tension. Support the front edge of the roof and the top edge of the windshield frame with something like a small empty box to keep the roof slightly open. 
3 Identify a loose seal such as the bottom edge of the outer fabric layer. If the pocket has accumulated dirt as a result of weather conditions, we recommend vacuuming it to remove large particles. 
4 Don't worry if only a small part comes off. If a large part is detached, we recommend that you completely detach it and reattach it. 
5 Clean the mating surfaces with rubbing alcohol.
6 Close the roof completely to see where the slightly stretched surface of the fabric hits the glass as far as it will slide, but not stretch too much. In the case of a tarpaulin, it will not be as far on the glass as originally (or as a permanently attached inner layer) because it will be compressed during production. 
7 Open the roof slightly again and support it again.
8 Use a strip of double-sided polyurethane foam such as 3M VHB ("very good bond") (suitable for any irregularities) predominantly black in color, as UV radiation will not quickly destroy the outer joint adjacent to the glass with an edge that fits on top to the point you defined earlier.
9 Bring the middle of the enclosing area (such as the middle, left to the bottom right of the outer fabric) to the edge of the tape. It should sag a little, then it should be stretched, mostly smooth, but not taut with the roof closed. A little slack with the roof closed is much better than tension, which can cause the tape to peel off. 
10 Glue the fabric to the tape, working from the outside. The reason for working outside of the center point is that excess material will not accumulate on one side. 
11 Wipe the fabric dry at the tape attachment point and heat with a hair dryer (not strong with hot air) for maximum durability.- The retractable roof must be locked.
Tips
- It might be better to secure the roof using someone else's error-prone method, for example the dealer will take responsibility. But this is an alternative for replacing the roof.
What do you need
- Black 3M VHB polyurethane foam adhesive tape
