Replacement Roof Kit

A replacement roof kit is a set of fabric panels to replace the fabric part of your convertible roof. Should the roof become damaged, you might consider taking it to a trimmer, upholsterer or company that specializes in cabriolet roofs. If it were possible to repair the fabric, they would still need to remove the fabric part of the roof from the frame, which is a large part of the labour cost. This is because you can put a fabric roof on a sewing machine, but you can't put a sewing machine on a roof.

And so, the sensible thing to do, as the roof has to come off anyway, is replace it with a new pre-made kit.

These kits are available online, and they are relatively inexpensive, however, this is not something you can really do yourself and is best left to an experienced trimmer as they still need to be properly stretched over the frame and securely attached in place. This is a skilled job and best left to a professional with plenty of experience.

What it means

A replacement roof kit is a bundle of parts used to renew a convertible’s soft top. Instead of buying a complete roof already fitted to a frame, you buy the new hood material and related components as a kit. Depending on the car, this may include the outer fabric or vinyl skin cut to pattern, a new rear window (glass or plastic), listings and pockets for the frame, tensioning cables and sometimes basic seals or fitting hardware. The trimmer or specialist then removes the old hood from the existing frame and fits the new kit, tensioning and adjusting it so the roof sits correctly and seals as it should.

Why it matters

• Parts only, not the job: A replacement roof kit is the material - the labour to strip, fit, tension and set up the roof is extra and can easily exceed the cost of the kit itself.
• Quality and fit vary: Genuine or high quality kits tend to fit better, look more original and seal more reliably than very cheap pattern kits, which may need extra trimming or compromise.
• Affects leak and noise performance: The way a kit is designed and fitted has a big impact on how well the roof seals, how taut it sits and how much wind noise you get at speed.
• Important for quotes and expectations: When an estimate mentions supply and fit replacement roof kit, it normally refers to replacing the hood skin and related parts, not the whole mechanism, frame or seals across the entire car.

Where you’ll see it

You will see replacement roof kit mentioned in quotes from trimmers, soft top specialists and parts suppliers. Common phrases include supply and fit replacement roof kit, customer supplied budget roof kit or genuine replacement roof kit available. It appears in restoration descriptions for older cabriolets and in discussions comparing the cost of patch repairs, local stitching work or dyeing against the cost of fitting a full new kit.

Context

A replacement roof kit sits in the wider picture of convertible roof repair and restoration. At the lighter end, a roof may just need cleaning, proofing or local stitching repairs. At the heavier end, severe wear, tears, shrinkage or failed stitching may make a new hood the sensible option. The kit re-uses the existing frame and mechanism, so it is different from replacing a complete roof assembly with frame, motors and hydraulics. Choosing between an aftermarket pattern kit and an OE-spec or premium kit is a balance between cost, originality and long-term fit and finish. Professional fitting is critical - even the best kit can look poor and leak if it is not tensioned and aligned correctly.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a replacement roof kit includes the labour and set-up, when it is actually parts only and fitting costs are separate.
• Buying the cheapest kit available and expecting original-quality fit, tension and sealing without extra work.
• Thinking a new kit will cure every leak, when some leaks may come from frames, seals, drains or membranes that also need attention.
• Underestimating the skill involved in fitting a kit - DIY attempts can lead to creases, poor alignment, wind noise and premature wear.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 04/12/2025 03:41