Ok, we know the zipper is a weak point on the 308 trunk cover. I've nursed mine along and crimped down on the slider to make it grab. But, time takes it's toll and the zipper finally gave way completely. It would no longer close. I removed the whole cover and took it down to a local upholstery shop (a guy who also does boat upholstery) and asked him if he could put a new zipper in. He showed me where the original zipper was "melted" in and he could replace it but it would not look the same and it would be about a week. I told him I just wanted it to close.
2 days later he calls me and says its ready. $40 and the only people that can tell it is not original is me and a concours judge. And it is a stronger "marine grade" zipper than the original. I'm very pleased.
2 days later he calls me and says its ready. $40 and the only people that can tell it is not original is me and a concours judge. And it is a stronger "marine grade" zipper than the original. I'm very pleased.
I wonder if the engine heat melted the zipper. That is a great idea that it is marine grade...ie stronger. Is the zipper still black? If so I doubt anyone can notice. Can you post a close up photo of the new zipper?
I guess I didn't word it correctly when I talked about the zipper being melted in. It was not damaged by heat, the zipper was originally installed by "heat fusing" it to the cover in addition to the stitching.
Here's a close up of the new zipper. The teeth are much larger and "beefier" than the original. Plus it is a pleasure to just zip it closed in one smooth swoop rather than having to go back and forth and hope to try and get it to "catch".
Oh, plus I had 2 small tears in the cover (which I did getting the thing out) that he repaired no extra charge.
Gentlemen-
I too had to have my Naugahyde cover/zipper repaired. Try a boot shop or cobbler- very nice job. Also needed leather seat repaired at side stitch or pipping. Boot Guy said " too busy and not his cup of tea" went to a saddle shop and job was great- took me 10 minutes to find seam. No upholstery shop here so maybe useful to others? Bill
Cgt-
It's pretty painless. As you look down at cover, you'll see a rubber weatherstrip all the way around edge. Gently lift weatherstrip off it's seam. Unless someone has re-glued should peel right off. Set weatherstrip aside and you'll find that cover's edges have been held down by the weatherstrip. As you work toward the rear of the car be careful at the two cover latch holes. Mine had 2 rivets each, that I drilled out and replaced with 2 pretty little black screws on re-installation. Replacement is reverse and equally easy. Only problem I can see is if someone had used a glue that might ruin weatherstrip or cover(hopefully not) Good luck, Bill
I didn't use adhesive as 'c' channel fit tightly enough to hold cover. I bought a tube of "permatex super weatherstrip adhesive". Trouble is, if you use adhesive you know that next time you take it apart it's not going to be as easy. Bill
Every rivet I've found so far on my 308 was a very soft aluminum. good sharp drill and minimal pressure. Btw I really like my cobalt drill bits for this kind of stuff-harder than steel so handy when you break a bolt or regular bit. bill
Update to an old thread. In the end I decided to get a new cover manufactured which fitted the same dimensions as original, but was much heavier duty vinyl and should hopefully last for many years. I got this done by a company called Trimline who do a lot of work on old Porsches.
The cover was actually done two months ago but I only got round to fitting it today because I wanted to find the right adhesive and to be honest I also forgot about it. Here is the finished result.
I left mine off. It seems every time I load up my golf clubs the bag will catch on the rounded corners so removing it gives me easier access.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ferrari Life Forum
325.1K posts
28.1K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Ferrari owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, build specs, production numbers, modifications, classifieds, reviews, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!