I'd like to find a description of how to repair/patch a substantial
(foot long) tear in a convertible top (car is a 1995 VW Cabrio).

I don't want to be the one carrying the bad news, but it seems like it
has to be replaced. It will take you more time and money to try and
fix it this size. Moreover, with a 95 model there are still spares -
postpone it and you'll have to spend more money.

However, if you want to try - there are several solutions. First,
there are specilised auto-shops who might do it for you. If you want
to,please tell me where you live and 'll try to find the closest place
shop for you. You may also want to try with leather specialists.
Third, this book : Volkswagen Cabriolet, Scirocco Service Manual 1985,
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Including Scirocco 16V
by Robert Bentley http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0837603625/ltc-political
- it is not about your model but there are several helpful tips that
might help you with your top.

Another solution is to patch the feet-long tear with irons
(lengthwise). I read this tip regarding mustangs and I'm not sure it
will fit your car but you may try. I am copying the tip since the site
about Mustang Convertibles that refers to it is not active anymore:
"...We got some industrial strngth iron-on patches and ironed them on
the top and inside. That was 3 years ago, and it's still working well.
Use a piece of wood to iron on (have someone insdie holding it when
you do the top, then on the top, when you iron on the inside patch. I
also loosely stitched the tear together before ironing the patch. It
was a black top and I used black patches. The top has faded a bit, but
the patch hasn't! It's getting a white top when it gets restored, but
this is fine for now..."

Hope that helped, please contact me for anything else (like shop
names).

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Request for Answer Clarification by zensuki-ga on 25 May 2002 18:57 PDT

I had thought about iron-on patches.

Where would you suggest I find industrial strength ones (my initial
search attempts yielded nothing on this front...)

thanks!

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Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 26 May 2002 02:53 PDT

I am checking that for you - it may take a little time (it's not as
easy but I am contacting wholesalers etc.).

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Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 26 May 2002 05:02 PDT

In the meanwhile, try this one - he sells more or less what you need:
http://www.marknmend.com/ 
In several colours (check the "heat insterted" section). 

I hope that will help, I will check out more for you  :-) 

Good luck with this one. 
politicalguru-ga.

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Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 26 May 2002 05:04 PDT

Duh, 
This is the direct link to his heat-mending patches section:
http://www.marknmend.com/mending.htm

You know how it is, the quicker you are, you forget to add soemthing
:-)

Politicalguru-ga

Did this work?  I have a 20 inch tear put there by a burglar in the
top of my 68 VW bug.  If there are any updates to this advice, please
let me know.
Thanks!