Fitting a convertible Hood

[plg422d]

Has any one any hints and tips on fitting a convertible hood? How easy a job is it? How long does it take - any pit falls tobe aware of?

Thanks

[Willie]

I fitted mine and it is still ok and does not leak after nearly 12 years.
It is not the easiest job in the world but the vital tip is that the
hood material must be WARM as it stretches more easily. If you
fit it during cold weather you will not be able to stretch it enough and
it will flap when you are on the move. I had to remove all of the front
tacks and start again on mine! Mark the centres of the car on the
windscreen and the boot and the hood material so you know where
to line it up, fit the rear edge of the hood(you may have to keep removing
the fittings and re positioning to get the rear window to be creaseless).
When that is ok you can fit the two screws which go through the hood
into the hood frame above the rear window. Then you have to STR E TCH
the material over the front bar. Do not forget to glue a layer of thin
foam on the underneath of the front bar where it meets the top of the windscreen before you cover it with the hood material as this ensures
a water tight joint. It works for me. Do not worry about the amount
of overhang on the sides as the hoods shrink with age anyway.
All of the special fittings are available from the Minor specialists.

[KirstMin]

re: the hood being warm - a good tip is to place one of those small fan heaters (the 1 or 2 KW ones) inside the car when it comes to stretching and fixing - that way the hood (if you are fitting vinyl anyway – that’s the one I did) is much easier to stretch and position.