Soft top frame rubbing on soft top cover

[Jkalplus1]

I checked very carefully:  The soft top frame does not touch the soft top cover when the top is up.  And yet, when I drive with the top up, I get rub marks against the "U" shaped groove in the soft top cover once I take the top down.  Is it caused by body flex and cannot be avoided, or is it caused by the soft top frame flexing, I am not sure.

I will fix the paint chips and try to stick rubber bumpers under the frame where it sould rub, but I just don't understand how it happens, in order to know exactly what to do to prevent it in the future.  I'd rather not go through 3 sets of paint touch ups before I sort that one out, if someone can point me in the right direction, thanks.

Unrelated:  Is there a way to prevent the chrome to wear from friction on the escutcheon (rear lock of the soft top frame) in the soft top frame cover when you click the frame in place?  I assume is it unavoidable just like the sides of the trunk and door handle barrels wear from friction, unless someone knows a trick?

Thanks,
Jerome

[rmmchl]

Almost every car at the PUB 2011 had rub marks here. I have photos documenting this. I sent our fellow member( 66 AND BLUE) Alfred, copies of the photos I took, to share my findings with him.  I would like to submit my findings at the next PUB event. I have taken precautions with my new paint job that I can share with other members. I place body masking tape and foam here when raising the soft top. I also adjusted my soft top frame forward to allow more clearance to minimize the frame touching the notch on the soft top lid. You are not alone with this problem. You will also find most cars  have curled soft tops at the edges. In my opinion, it's the thickness of the stitching in this area of most all aftermarket tops.  A very controversial topic, but it is factual that most of the cars I saw, have these problems.

[Jkalplus1]

So...an unsatisfactory condition that almost everyone experiences.
Foam and masking tape...OK.  I will do that.

The 100% solution I can think of:  A "driving" soft top cover and moldings, and a "show" soft top cover and moldings...

Thanks for that. I also have the soft top corner curling up problem you describe. 

Jerome

[49er]

 I noticed the marks right away near the "U" shaped opening right away when the car was new. Since the damage was done, I never bothered to touch up the scratch. Still there today but just part of the car's charm . My soft top also had the dog ears from day 1. I just rub the corners down a few times to soften them up before pushing the top down into the rear latch.

John

[ctm14]

Hi,

   This thread was the only one I found discussing the soft top cover and the damage that occurs in the "U" shaped cut outs from the soft top frame. Some have described these as scratches or rubbings but mine are gouges through the paint and into the aluminum. This happened under  the previous owners care so I don't know for sure how it happened but I don't see how the frame is making contact with soft top lid. I don't want to have this repaired until I understand what adjustments or procedures can be implemented to avoid future damage.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Chris

[IXLR8]

Patina....