Weather stripping separating from soft top! What to do!

Harrison256 · 04-13-2017, 11:44 PM

It's only separated on the ends of the U. Just about 3-4 inches on each corner. I definitely don't want to replace the whole top because the rest of it is in good condition... Have the top out of the car because I'm replacing the hydraulic unit but I'd like to maybe RTV this or something so that the split doesn't spread and that it seals up more properly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to the forums and to BMW! Off to a rough start though!

Photos at link below. Had to post on imgur bc of image size limitations

View post on imgur.com

Harrison256 · 04-14-2017, 05:49 PM

Heres a few closer photos to get a better idea of where it's splitting

http://imgur.com/a/0XNtI

Harrison256 · 04-15-2017, 02:41 AM

Nobody has any experience with this? I guess I'll just attach it back with Permatex contact cement and then go over it with a bead of RTV black to make sure it stays weatherproof. It's not going to be in a visible area so shouldn't matter but I'll still try to make it look stockish

gas-can · 04-15-2017, 11:44 AM

Hi Harrison,

First time I've seen someone complain with that.

Can you see how BMW attached it together? Was it stitched? Glued? Crimped? Though it failed in your case, following their method might not be a bad idea.

Personally, I would probably glue it back together. I think the important thing would be to clean the rubber and fabric (extremely well) and then use the right glue with some clamps.

I think most important thing is to prevent the strip from separating any further (which it may want to do every time you move the roof).

-gc

dc_wright · 04-15-2017, 04:21 PM

My top had done that on the driver side. After trying bicycle inner tube glued in place (only held up for a couple weeks), I wound up finding that a strip of Gorilla Tape on each side held it together quite well. Lasted 2 years and was still holding when I replaced the top.

Harrison256 · 04-15-2017, 09:04 PM

Why did you end up replacing your top in the end? I'm glad to know I have gorilla tape as a good fallback. I hadn't really considered that. I'm going to give it a shot with glue first no intertube bc I think I can attach the ends together with the existing material

04-13-2017, 11:44 PM	#1
Harrison256 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Weather stripping separating from soft top! What to do! It's only separated on the ends of the U. Just about 3-4 inches on each corner. I definitely don't want to replace the whole top because the rest of it is in good condition... Have the top out of the car because I'm replacing the hydraulic unit but I'd like to maybe RTV this or something so that the split doesn't spread and that it seals up more properly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to the forums and to BMW! Off to a rough start though! Photos at link below. Had to post on imgur bc of image size limitations View post on imgur.com
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04-14-2017, 05:49 PM	#2
Harrison256 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Heres a few closer photos to get a better idea of where it's splitting http://imgur.com/a/0XNtI
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04-15-2017, 02:41 AM	#3
Harrison256 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Nobody has any experience with this? I guess I'll just attach it back with Permatex contact cement and then go over it with a bead of RTV black to make sure it stays weatherproof. It's not going to be in a visible area so shouldn't matter but I'll still try to make it look stockish
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04-15-2017, 11:44 AM	#4
gas-can Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 204 Posts Drives: 2006 3.0i Roadster Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Hi Harrison, First time I've seen someone complain with that. Can you see how BMW attached it together? Was it stitched? Glued? Crimped? Though it failed in your case, following their method might not be a bad idea. Personally, I would probably glue it back together. I think the important thing would be to clean the rubber and fabric (extremely well) and then use the right glue with some clamps. I think most important thing is to prevent the strip from separating any further (which it may want to do every time you move the roof). -gc
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04-15-2017, 04:21 PM	#5
dc_wright Captain 249 Rep 758 Posts Drives: 2006 Z43.0si Roadster Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	My top had done that on the driver side. After trying bicycle inner tube glued in place (only held up for a couple weeks), I wound up finding that a strip of Gorilla Tape on each side held it together quite well. Lasted 2 years and was still holding when I replaced the top. __________________ Top Down 365
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04-15-2017, 09:04 PM	#6
Harrison256 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Why did you end up replacing your top in the end? I'm glad to know I have gorilla tape as a good fallback. I hadn't really considered that. I'm going to give it a shot with glue first no intertube bc I think I can attach the ends together with the existing material
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