Convertible Top Fabric Problem - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RedMuscle · 07-30-2018, 12:32 PM

Hello all,

Even though I'm new here, I tried to look on the forum and on the web to see if there is someone experiencing this problem but maybe I'm not doing the right key word search to find the solution.

I attached some photos for the fabric wearing off in that specific line of area on both driver and passenger side, caused by some sort of tension I believe? Is there any sort of treatment I can do to prevent this from growing over-time or is there nothing I can do about it? it is not leaking but I am sure overtime if I continue to put the top down then it will create a hole at some point.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and sorry if this is a duplicate post.

GodWentPunk · 07-31-2018, 01:20 AM

I've not seen anything like that before. Sorry to hear that your top is having problems.

joe...

Deputy347k9 · 07-31-2018, 06:37 AM

I have a 2014 convertible and ZERO problems. Have a few friends that also have Camaro convertibles and no problems. Interesting?

bigtwan25 · 07-31-2018, 08:58 AM

i have that issue my trim guy put felt fabric on the bars that caused the issue

RedMuscle · 08-01-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtwan25

i have that issue my trim guy put felt fabric on the bars that caused the issue

Can you please explain more? Did he have to remove the convertible fabric to cover the bars? Also did you find a way to treat the damaged fabric area to make it fade away a little instead of looking whiteish.

Thanks guys.

theragtopguy · 08-01-2018, 04:03 PM

I don't think that you will be able to repair the fabric other than replacing the entire top. I had a '12 Convertible purchased new that the top rubbed against the back of the well when it was down and finally wore a hole in it, the dealer replaced the top under warranty as it was a known issue. Yours is different but a hole is a hole is a hole as they say.

Good luck!!

SharpOldNo7 · 08-05-2018, 04:02 AM

Is your trunk completely clear of anything which could rub against the top when it is stowed in the trunk? It looks like it has already torn the exterior fabric and created a small hole. I’d try to figure out the problem before I let the top down again and then have an Upholstry shop tighten up the hole using a Sunbrella thread of matching color to help prevent the spot from enlarging.

RedMuscle · 08-06-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

I don't think that you will be able to repair the fabric other than replacing the entire top. I had a '12 Convertible purchased new that the top rubbed against the back of the well when it was down and finally wore a hole in it, the dealer replaced the top under warranty as it was a known issue. Yours is different but a hole is a hole is a hole as they say.

Good luck!!

A known issue? I don’t see any recalls for it. And does the dealership deal with convertible tops? I remember last time I inquired at the dealer they said the Chevrolet dealships don’t deal with convertible tops and that’d have to take it to a third party which doesn’t make sense.

RedMuscle · 08-06-2018, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharpOldNo7

Is your trunk completely clear of anything which could rub against the top when it is stowed in the trunk? It looks like it has already torn the exterior fabric and created a small hole. I’d try to figure out the problem before I let the top down again and then have an Upholstry shop tighten up the hole using a Sunbrella thread of matching color to help prevent the spot from enlarging.

Yes the trunk is clear. The pictures I attached are taken from the front side of the top right on top of the driver and passenger doors in which when the top folds down, it is the part that is exposed and not folded at the bottom of the trunk which is weird because there is nothing on its way. So it’s probably happening during the process of the top going down. I guess I’ll just have to empty my wallet for a new convertible top.

theragtopguy · 08-06-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMuscle

A known issue? I don’t see any recalls for it. And does the dealership deal with convertible tops? I remember last time I inquired at the dealer they said the Chevrolet dealships don’t deal with convertible tops and that’d have to take it to a third party which doesn’t make sense.

I don't think that they actually had a recall for it. However, it certaintly was a known issue for the 2010 thru 2012 models and there was actually a class action lawsuit filed against them for it which they settled. The top was modified in 2013.

My dealer also farmed mine out to get it done, thankfully to a very good experienced shop. Then I traded it in for my Green Flash.

Good luck, no matter what you decide.

samman11 · 08-07-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMuscle

A known issue? I don’t see any recalls for it. And does the dealership deal with convertible tops? I remember last time I inquired at the dealer they said the Chevrolet dealships don’t deal with convertible tops and that’d have to take it to a third party which doesn’t make sense.

Call GM. Let them direct you to a DEALER that DOES have experience with the tops. And if your current dealer tells you they don't deal with tops, tell them you will no longer be DEALING WITH THEM. What a joke. They are supposed to be fully trained in what they sell. Find that dealership that has the experience and take the drive. That way GM can't say "Sorry, our people didn't screw it up, you took it to a third party."

RedMuscle · 08-23-2018, 03:16 PM

Thanks guys. So I found one dealership that could do it but I also made some research on this forum and found out some people actually replaced it themselves so I might dig more into that because the cost of replacement is outrageous. It sucks that I have to replace it for a reason that is caused by how the car was made.

07-30-2018, 12:32 PM	#1
RedMuscle Drives: 2018 Camaro Convertible 1SS Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 13 View My Garage	Convertible Top Fabric Problem Hello all, Even though I'm new here, I tried to look on the forum and on the web to see if there is someone experiencing this problem but maybe I'm not doing the right key word search to find the solution. I attached some photos for the fabric wearing off in that specific line of area on both driver and passenger side, caused by some sort of tension I believe? Is there any sort of treatment I can do to prevent this from growing over-time or is there nothing I can do about it? it is not leaking but I am sure overtime if I continue to put the top down then it will create a hole at some point. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and sorry if this is a duplicate post. Attached Images __________________ Last edited by RedMuscle; 07-31-2018 at 12:38 AM.

07-31-2018, 01:20 AM	#2
GodWentPunk Drives: 2015 2SS White Convertible CE/INDY Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lockport, IL Posts: 780 View My Garage	I've not seen anything like that before. Sorry to hear that your top is having problems. joe... __________________ ARH LTH/HFC/Legato muffler, RDP Custom Tune, K&N Blackhawk CAI, Bigworm Blackout kit, ZL1 Rims, Phantom Grills, VMAX PTB

07-31-2018, 06:37 AM	#3
Deputy347k9 Drives: 2014 Ashen Gray Convertible Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Havelock, NC Posts: 1,329	I have a 2014 convertible and ZERO problems. Have a few friends that also have Camaro convertibles and no problems. Interesting? __________________

08-01-2018, 04:03 PM	#6
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	I don't think that you will be able to repair the fabric other than replacing the entire top. I had a '12 Convertible purchased new that the top rubbed against the back of the well when it was down and finally wore a hole in it, the dealer replaced the top under warranty as it was a known issue. Yours is different but a hole is a hole is a hole as they say. Good luck!! __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

08-23-2018, 03:16 PM	#12
RedMuscle Drives: 2018 Camaro Convertible 1SS Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 13 View My Garage	Thanks guys. So I found one dealership that could do it but I also made some research on this forum and found out some people actually replaced it themselves so I might dig more into that because the cost of replacement is outrageous. It sucks that I have to replace it for a reason that is caused by how the car was made. __________________

07-31-2018, 08:58 AM	#4
bigtwan25 Drives: 2011 SS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MARYLAND Posts: 75	i have that issue my trim guy put felt fabric on the bars that caused the issue

08-05-2018, 04:02 AM	#7
SharpOldNo7 Drives: 2015 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Mississippi Posts: 298	Is your trunk completely clear of anything which could rub against the top when it is stowed in the trunk? It looks like it has already torn the exterior fabric and created a small hole. I’d try to figure out the problem before I let the top down again and then have an Upholstry shop tighten up the hole using a Sunbrella thread of matching color to help prevent the spot from enlarging.