996 Cabrio: anyone retrimmed the folding flaps, the bar & lids covering the rollover hoops

[Pete Ansbro]

Because my grey fabric roof (though still watertight) is no longer pristine grey but various shades of what my R12 Organiser Tony Wickins describes as "letting the car down" I am now committed to replace the fabric roof but in black which will look better for longer (I hope).

I'm applying my mind to the grey fabric-trimmed ancillary parts which normally sit inside the car above and just behind the rear seat zone and comprise two folding end flaps, a transverse bar with cutouts to locate the optional hardtop (the thing what lives in the woodshed!) and oval covers which conceal the pop-up roll hoops. I can either buy new or possibly pre-owned in black fabric OR I can get some of the fabric the new roof will be made of and have a go at recovering them myself with massive support and help from the domestic goddess/passenger/fabrics adviser and fashion guru.

M'question is really whether anyone here has already attempted this job and found it (a) a piece of cake or (b) a total nightmare never to be attempted ever again?

 

[Gordon Attar]

As you are going for black why not consider dyeing them with fabric dye, which will not cost a lot. Worst case scenario is you recover it if doesnt work.

 

[Pete Ansbro]

As you are going for black why not consider dyeing them with fabric dye, which will not cost a lot. Worst case scenario is you recover it if doesnt work.

Good question. My answer is that I'd almost certainly have to clean them first to remove any proofing, the odd greasy mark etc, if I am to hope that the grey fabric takes a dye evenly and ends up becoming the same black as the new roof will be. I'd thought about dyeing the roof and concluded that I didn't want to invest the time and effort into something which might not be a great success.