Bought a cheap Acme top for the Miata - it's mostly a track car so light and cheap is better. Started the project by removing the top last fall after Miata season was pretty much done, and left the top sitting until last week. Now we're trying to get the new top on and I'm pretty much at the end of my patience. Several hours of trying to decipher the instructions and watching youtube videos, It just doesn't fit. Do vinyl tops shrink? Anyway, given that I can't get the damn thing on, I'm not sure what to do. Can't imagine that a shop would be happy about installing a cheap customer supplied top, don't really want to ante up for a complete professionally installed top, and not sure that there's any other options. /vent off
Where is it not fitting? The rear part is kind of tricky to do. Since it is vinyl have you warmed it up a bit with a heat gun to get it soft and plyable?
In reply to jwagner (Forum Supporter) :
Lay the top out in the hot sun. For a few hours before you try to fit it.
Here's where we gave up. The top fits over a flange on the B pillar and a retainer bracket fits over it. Fought with the first side for about 20 minutes to get the bracket on.
And there's no way the other side wants to stretch that far. (pic upside down relative to the first one)
The forum replies to my frustrated rant makes me want to go after it again. I'll try heat. Don't have a lot to lose. Wish I know where I bought the thing to request tech support - might have been a phone call.
thanks.
Edit - PS: Found a Miata upgrade book in the garage bookcase by a certain frequent forum contributor. Wasn't a whole lot of help on the issue we're having, but was amusing to page through again.
Heat is the answer here. Leave it out in the bright sun like stated above and the top will comply to you demands.
I will echo Frenchy and Noddaz, as well as adding that you must anchor it in the middle and work your way simultaneously towards both sides to get the best fit.
