So my question is ~ is there anyway of getting the roof back to the correct shape? Will gently heating it with a hairdryer allow the edge to be pulled back into the correct shape or is it a trip to the recycling centre, once I've removed the screen, catches etc to retain as spares?
Misshapen Hard top
Moderator: Committee Members
Forum rules
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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nigelandjo
- Committee Member & Regional Rep
- Posts: 4914
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: Somerset & Dorset
- Model of Car: TF85th,TF135,Trophy
- Location: Berrow
- Contact:
Misshapen Hard top
Went to fit a hard top to our F which lives outside as the soft top was nice and dry in preparation for winter. The hardtop has been sat in the shed for almost 2 years as we didn't get around to fitting it last year. Discovered that the edge below the window has warped ~ either the weight of the roof sitting on it or perhaps due to the heat in the shed in the summer...
So my question is ~ is there anyway of getting the roof back to the correct shape? Will gently heating it with a hairdryer allow the edge to be pulled back into the correct shape or is it a trip to the recycling centre, once I've removed the screen, catches etc to retain as spares?
So my question is ~ is there anyway of getting the roof back to the correct shape? Will gently heating it with a hairdryer allow the edge to be pulled back into the correct shape or is it a trip to the recycling centre, once I've removed the screen, catches etc to retain as spares?
Nigel May
Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
MGCC Members register here: https://mgfregister.org/?page_id=319
Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
MGCC Members register here: https://mgfregister.org/?page_id=319
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EllsoJo
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:26 pm
- MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
- Model of Car: MGTF135 (2002)
- Location: Rawridge EX14 9PT
Re: Misshapen Hard top
My first thoughts are:
1. It was probably solar heating of the air in the shed + perhaps direct solar heating of that part of the hardtop which allowed distortion like that.
2. Some localised (effectively "upwards" in your picture) loading of that corner must have been present to "Drive" the distortion.
3. A hairdryer is unlikely to pack enough punch (heat output) to heat a large enough part of the hardtop to allow reversal of the slow creeping distortion which has taken place.
Do you know anyone with a large enough oven or temperature cabinet to get the hardtop warm enough?
Remove the biscuit with the headlining BEFORE trying any re-heating, though i am sure you have already realised that!
I have a not-very-good hardtop you would be welcome to borrow for the duration of winter. As you may know, not far from you EX14 9PT.
I will be putting my TF on SORN end of Oct. Busy at present because Father-in-Law died last Sunday, so in Barnstaple area for several days from Tues.
Message me if you want to take-up offer
1. It was probably solar heating of the air in the shed + perhaps direct solar heating of that part of the hardtop which allowed distortion like that.
2. Some localised (effectively "upwards" in your picture) loading of that corner must have been present to "Drive" the distortion.
3. A hairdryer is unlikely to pack enough punch (heat output) to heat a large enough part of the hardtop to allow reversal of the slow creeping distortion which has taken place.
Do you know anyone with a large enough oven or temperature cabinet to get the hardtop warm enough?
Remove the biscuit with the headlining BEFORE trying any re-heating, though i am sure you have already realised that!
I have a not-very-good hardtop you would be welcome to borrow for the duration of winter. As you may know, not far from you EX14 9PT.
I will be putting my TF on SORN end of Oct. Busy at present because Father-in-Law died last Sunday, so in Barnstaple area for several days from Tues.
Message me if you want to take-up offer
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nigelandjo
- Committee Member & Regional Rep
- Posts: 4914
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: Somerset & Dorset
- Model of Car: TF85th,TF135,Trophy
- Location: Berrow
- Contact:
Re: Misshapen Hard top
Thanks for the offer of a hardtop John. We have others we can use. Should have bought a set of brackets to hang it up, but just didn't get around to it.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law.
Nigel & Jo
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law.
Nigel & Jo
Nigel May
Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
MGCC Members register here: https://mgfregister.org/?page_id=319
Somerset & Dorset Regional Rep, Membership Secretary, Registrar & Archivist
Email: somerset.dorset@mgfregister.org members@mgfregister.org
MGCC Members register here: https://mgfregister.org/?page_id=319
Re: Misshapen Hard top
If you know a friendly bodyshop they might put it in their oven, I think they go up to about 60C.
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Misshapen Hard top
Careful use of a hot air gun?