Repairing Miata Hardtop (Fiberglass)?

[Goodspeed]

The other day I came across somewhat of a find in my sorta-kinda search for a Miata hardtop - a barely used, 10AE Sapphire Blue hardtop off of a car with 7k miles.

The catch is that the hardtop has some sort of damage to it, and the guy pondering selling it doesn't know what to make of it. I have no fiberglass/hardtop experience, but maybe someone here does. Here's the gist and pics:

There are cracks on the interior of my hardtop above both the driver and passenger windows. The driver side (pictures) is more severe. The outer shell is not showing any cracks yet.

1) Is this a) an integral piece of the top or b) a separate applied trim piece?
2) If it's integral I suppose if not repaired it will grow and eventually appear on the outer shell?
3) Can this can be successfully repaired?
4) Seems like the way to go is with an epoxy resin?
5) Any particular specific product recommendations? And a source?
6) I assume this should be reinforced with some fiberglass fabric?

Somebody he spoke with suggested the side latches were too tight (?). Any ideas?

[Scott]

It will be fine.

[JustinG]

do it, but tell him its gonna cost you alot to repair and lowball the hell out of him.

[Goodspeed]

do it, but tell him its gonna cost you alot to repair and lowball the hell out of him.

LoL. I'll see what I can do :lol:

It will be fine.

Do you have any idea what caused it/seen it before? Is it even a structural crack? It does look minor to me too but I wouldn't want it to spread - I guess my main question for those who have hardtops is whether or not thats an important piece/area or just an extra trim piece as he calls it.

[Scott]

I think it is just trim (all my hard tops are in storage currently), but I would use it to low ball him. Most likely happened while it was being stored and was dropped.