The Mohair roof thread

Tewje · March 31, 2017, 10:50

Hi guys!

I bought used mohair roof few days ago. Mounted it withe the frame so it was an easy job. I can easly put it up (much easier than vinyl one) but I have problems with putting it down. Everytime I need to get out of the car (putting it down while sitting in car is impossible) and help metal moulding (ROOF DRIP SIDE FINISH) to hide inside the mohair (it automaticly goes outside the mohair and blocks the roof).
Do you have the same situation? Can you open the roof while sitting in car?

jvanzyl · March 31, 2017, 11:18

Hey man,
I'm not sure about everyone else - but because of what the Mohair fabric is made of, it's not like a "brand new" vinyl one that could simply fold down by itself. As far as I know, everyone needs to get out the car and carefully make sure the edges are free of the rubber bits on the sides and gently push the whole thing down till it clicks in.

The general advantage that I can see of having the mohair is that you don't have to warm it up to put it down (if it was old like mine).

GraemeL · May 20, 2017, 10:11

My original vinyl hood is in A1 condition. If I had £300 burning a hole in my pocket what advantages does the mohair bring. Is it better insulated for cold/noise. Or is it only worth it when vinyl is toast or just for color change. TIA.

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Topdownman · May 20, 2017, 10:44

Raymonds roofs are fabric rather than mohair.

They should be better to put down in cold weather than the vinyl and may look better to some eyes.

If your roof is good though I would probably wait. If you go to a club meet you may be lucky and see one of the Swansea roofs for yourself and can then judge for yourself if it is worth it. Bear in mind with fuel/food accom the £300 is likely to become £400.

I had mine changed because the red vinyl looked patchy and Raymond asked me why I was changing because my roof worked fine!

Kathar · October 1, 2017, 18:23

Sorry for raising this thread from the depths! I've had a tear in my vinyl roof for a while now, had a go at patching it up but not had much luck, so just looking to replace it now. Mohair/fabric seems to be the way to go, and these roofs of Raymond's sound really appealing but just not sure if I can justify the 8~ hour round trip right now unfortunately. Does anyone know of any companies that would deliver a mohair or fabric roof, or maybe are just a bit more local to south coast? Thanks!

1979scotte · October 1, 2017, 18:34

Quote from: "Kathar"Sorry for raising this thread from the depths! I've had a tear in my vinyl roof for a while now, had a go at patching it up but not had much luck, so just looking to replace it now. Mohair/fabric seems to be the way to go, and these roofs of Raymond's sound really appealing but just not sure if I can justify the 8~ hour round trip right now unfortunately. Does anyone know of any companies that would deliver a mohair or fabric roof, or maybe are just a bit more local to south coast? Thanks!

Lots of places local to you will supply and fit a new roof but it's the cost.
£600+ it will be better quality but twice the price minimum.

Kathar · October 1, 2017, 21:44

Quote from: "1979scotte"
Quote from: "Kathar"Sorry for raising this thread from the depths! I've had a tear in my vinyl roof for a while now, had a go at patching it up but not had much luck, so just looking to replace it now. Mohair/fabric seems to be the way to go, and these roofs of Raymond's sound really appealing but just not sure if I can justify the 8~ hour round trip right now unfortunately. Does anyone know of any companies that would deliver a mohair or fabric roof, or maybe are just a bit more local to south coast? Thanks!

Lots of places local to you will supply and fit a new roof but it's the cost.
£600+ it will be better quality but twice the price minimum.

Yeah that's unfortunately what I've been finding too, local's convenient but all a bit too dear for me. Might just have to bite the bullet and have a little trundle down to Swansea at some point in the future! Appreciate your help though, thanks mate!

Enjay · April 17, 2018, 19:44

Thought that I might as well add my £0.02 to this thread. I got my roof done in Swansea a couple of weeks ago. It was a major trek distance-wise from Aberdeenshire (indeed, it could only really have been longer if we'd had to go to Cornwall instead) but we made a holiday out of it and took in quite a bit of Wales, as well as other parts of the UK.

The garage itself is just a small lockup on a Swansea back street. When we arrived at 9 a.m., everything was ready to go and they set about the car, taking things apart very quickly: they are obviously very familiar with the 2. We chewed the fat for about an hour then went for a wander round Swansea. We'd only been in a museum for about 10 minutes when we got a call to say that things were ready. Total time for the job, around 3 hours (including getting the drain pockets changed - though that's a reasonably quick task once everything is taken apart).

I wanted the roof changed because the old (original) one was looking shabby, had a minor tear and the cables were snapped. This cured all of those problems. An unexpected side benefit is that the car now smells better. The drains weren't particularly cruddy (I keep them clean) but the combination of old vinyl and stuff in the drains must have been contributing to some of the "old car smell" I could detect in my 2. Smells much better now.

The new roof is still quite tight to put up but I understand that will loosen off a bit. If not, I haven't touched the adjustment on the clamps yet, so I can still do that.

Obligatory photos:

[edit] Oh, just thought it was worth mentioning: the car has sat out in some fairly heavy rain in the last week and I have also washed the car. At the weekend I needed to take out the luggage compartment trays. There was no water under them (common place for leaks to accumulate) and nothing else seemed wet either so [touch wood] it seems nice and watertight. [/edit]

MR TWO · April 17, 2018, 20:54

Quote from: jvanzyl on March 31, 2017, 11:18
Hey man,
I'm not sure about everyone else - but because of what the Mohair fabric is made of, it's not like a "brand new" vinyl one that could simply fold down by itself. As far as I know, everyone needs to get out the car and carefully make sure the edges are free of the rubber bits on the sides and gently push the whole thing down till it clicks in.

The general advantage that I can see of having the mohair is that you don't have to warm it up to put it down (if it was old like mine).

Not mine! I unclip it and sling it back - just like the vynil one, except it goes down easier and faster regardless of the temp.

BahnStormer · May 10, 2018, 17:40

Quote from: MR TWO on April 17, 2018, 20:54
Quote from: jvanzyl on March 31, 2017, 11:18
Hey man,
I'm not sure about everyone else - but because of what the Mohair fabric is made of, it's not like a "brand new" vinyl one that could simply fold down by itself. As far as I know, everyone needs to get out the car and carefully make sure the edges are free of the rubber bits on the sides and gently push the whole thing down till it clicks in.

The general advantage that I can see of having the mohair is that you don't have to warm it up to put it down (if it was old like mine).

Not mine! I unclip it and sling it back - just like the vynil one, except it goes down easier and faster regardless of the temp.

Same here - regardless of the temp, on the vinyl, mine was never a guaranteed "unclip and sling it back" - sometimes you'd have to get out and sort it out (so not usable when stopped in traffic).... now it going back and drops into the storage area smoothly every time - sometimes needs an extra nudge or two to latch down though.

The higher end Robbins ones have less pronounced seams, the rear "flat panel" is less obvious and the glass has no seams/ridge around it at all.

Only glitch with mine is that I need to guide the beading in with my hand on the driver's side, otherwise it hangs out of the rubber... I think this is more due to the old rubbers than anything else.

Silverbell · November 20, 2018, 20:49

Probably a very stupid question but is the fabric any quieter that vinyl? I did a round trip of 150 miles on Sunday and was almost deaf from the wind noise.Put the roof down for the last 50 miles and it was much quieter.

Topdownman · November 21, 2018, 06:46

I doubt it is quieter.

Have you tried pulling down on the roof handle at speed to see if it goes quieter? If it does then it is probably wind noise from the leading edge of the roof sticking up above the windscreen surround.

You can try tightening up the roof clamps to see if that helps pull the edge down.

Silverbell · November 28, 2018, 12:12

Ive tried tightening the clamps but that hasnt made a difference, I'll either have slow down or keep he roof down when driving

Bernie · November 28, 2018, 12:56

Are the sides when you put it up inside the guides I have to push them in

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Treboeth · November 28, 2018, 13:11

Quote from: Silverbell on November 28, 2018, 12:12
Ive tried tightening the clamps but that hasnt made a difference, I'll either have slow down or keep he roof down when driving

Many would see that as a plus point

Turbotrucker · December 14, 2018, 21:26

I got mine done on my driveway, by softtopshop. At an eye watering cost of £980.
I think it worth it though

benjamino · December 22, 2018, 05:05

I saw that tiff needel review of the green MK2 and in that video he flicks the hood down and it goes all the way down and even sounds like it actually clicks itself in just under its own weight. From the comments it doesn't sound like these Swansea ones do that though. I'm not saying a new vinyl one is what I'd want because I don't want them going stiff in the cold either, but that one handed flick and drop and it's in is very cool!

Bernie · December 22, 2018, 07:05

Quote from: benjamino on December 22, 2018, 05:05
I saw that tiff needel review of the green MK2 and in that video he flicks the hood down and it goes all the way down and even sounds like it actually clicks itself in just under its own weight. From the comments it doesn't sound like these Swansea ones do that though. I'm not saying a new vinyl one is what I'd want because I don't want them going stiff in the cold either, but that one handed flick and drop and it's in is very cool!

The OEM roof in the summer if everything is in good nick will do that, the mohair ones, even the expensive versions, won't as the material is completely different

Call the midlife! · December 22, 2018, 07:07

Quote from: benjamino on December 22, 2018, 05:05
I saw that tiff needel review of the green MK2 and in that video he flicks the hood down and it goes all the way down and even sounds like it actually clicks itself in just under its own weight. From the comments it doesn't sound like these Swansea ones do that though. I'm not saying a new vinyl one is what I'd want because I don't want them going stiff in the cold either, but that one handed flick and drop and it's in is very cool!

What you have to bear in mind is that clip was filmed on Majorca on an obviously hot and sunny day with a brand new car.
Mine is 18 years old and on a nice, hot day will do the same as long as the catch plays ball. But I seldom risk it as it has to be very hot.
I've been on many drives with people with "mohair" tops who stay in their seats and just fling them down at traffic lights etc.

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Superluminal · January 20, 2019, 22:04

I need to visit Swansea in mid-Feb, so obviously I though I'd look at getting the roof replaced at the same time. Mine's tatty with 6 inch rips along the seams on either side - never have a problem with it leaking though, straight in straight out I assume. Anyway, booking now made; price has gone up to £330. Trying to decided between blue and black for my blue car....

Topdownman · January 20, 2019, 22:07

The black material is better quality than the coloured ones he uses (he will tell you that!).

shnazzle · January 21, 2019, 10:55

Quote from: Superluminal on January 20, 2019, 22:04
I need to visit Swansea in mid-Feb, so obviously I though I'd look at getting the roof replaced at the same time. Mine's tatty with 6 inch rips along the seams on either side - never have a problem with it leaking though, straight in straight out I assume. Anyway, booking now made; price has gone up to £330. Trying to decided between blue and black for my blue car....

Hmm.. 330+fuel+stay = 500ish. Getting close to the fancy mohair more local

Call the midlife! · January 21, 2019, 14:19

Quote from: shnazzle on January 21, 2019, 10:55
Quote from: Superluminal on January 20, 2019, 22:04
I need to visit Swansea in mid-Feb, so obviously I though I'd look at getting the roof replaced at the same time. Mine's tatty with 6 inch rips along the seams on either side - never have a problem with it leaking though, straight in straight out I assume. Anyway, booking now made; price has gone up to £330. Trying to decided between blue and black for my blue car....
Hmm.. 330+fuel+stay = 500ish. Getting close to the fancy mohair more local

Same reason I'm considering getting the Hartz one by mail order and fitting it to the spare frame I've got then swapping it onto the car.
It's a £500 overnight venture for me too unless I do it all in a day.

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Carolyn · January 21, 2019, 14:52

It's only gone up by thirty quid!

So it was going to be £470 spend before the price hike.

I'd be very surprised if a beginner achieved the same quality fit.

I just considered the overnight as a bit of a 'weekend break'.

Call the midlife! · January 21, 2019, 14:55

Quote from: Carolyn on January 21, 2019, 14:52
It's only gone up by thirty quid!

So it was going to be £470 spend before the price hike.

I'd be very surprised if a beginner achieved the same quality fit.

I just considered the overnight as a bit of a 'weekend break'.

The £30 hasn't made any difference personally, I was always thinking about doing it myself, I've watched a tutorial video on it and it looks easier than degreeing camshafts [emoji23]

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