| EvolveCustomAutomotiveRestoration | -- 09-04-2019 @ 9:09 AM |
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I'm seeking guidance on how to stretch the vinyl fabric over the corners, to avoid having a seam at the corner. It seems the correct "cobra" grain vinyl that's 66 inches wide has no stretch at all, since it has a fabric backing. I've tried heating the vinyl, scathing the backing, slicing the backing - nothing that gave any usable results. Has anyone out there accomplished the corners without a seam?
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| 42wagon | -- 09-04-2019 @ 1:39 PM |
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Don't know if there are different grades of vinyl but I believe they all have some sort of backing. It has been suggested by others that you have the car out on the sun so the roof material is warm. It would be helpful to have several people available to work and tack the material. I used 66" brown cobra grain vinyl that I got from Labaron Bonney. I did the work inside my garage in warm weather without help and had no problems in fitting the corners without resorting to seaming.
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 09-04-2019 @ 4:21 PM |
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My top kit was also from LeBaron Bonney. I waited for the hottest day and worked outside. It was about 90 degrees and I let the material "cook" for a couple of hours. It's basically a tack and pull situation. I have read about people placing small clamps about every foot and attaching gallon jugs, filled with water to pull it down. I've searched for the LeBaron instructions, but I probably threw them out. Perhaps someone has a set and can post them for you. If I recall, it's been about 15 years, I started in the middle and worked front and back equally.
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| 42wagon | -- 09-04-2019 @ 5:15 PM |
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Woodiewagon 46 set me to thinking. I do have the Lebaron Bonney guide to fabric top replacement. You don't mention it but there is supposed to be a layer of denim sheeting installed first. LB says to pull it tight across the car and tack it in place, then go to the ends of the roof and again pull the denim tight and tack it in place. Then do the four corners by pulling the denim out snug on a forty five degree angle and tack in place. Then pull the remaining denim tight and tack in place. The procedure for installing the top material is the same as the installation of the denim, except the back corners. You may need to use some heat or steam to help the material stretch over the corners. Do not get it too hot. The top material should be just warm to the touch. LB doesn't say it because it is probably obvious but you will have to work the wrinkles out by working from the center of the roof toward the corners. You probably will have to pull out on the corners again to get the wrinkles out that have moved from the centers. With a lot of patience, sweat, and tears you will end up with a nice smooth roof and no seams.
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 09-04-2019 @ 6:06 PM |
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I was afraid to use a heat gun because if you melt, it or even distort it, it's over. I just let the sun do it's job.
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| 42wagon | -- 09-05-2019 @ 3:39 AM |
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Woodie Yupp, the words about using heat or steam are LBs. As you may note they warn about getting it hotter than warm to the touch. I wouldn't go near a heat gun as that may be hard to control how hot it gets locally. Don't know how LB thought steam would be applied. Too bad LB is gone and all the experts on the subject. 42
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| TomO | -- 09-05-2019 @ 9:03 AM |
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A hair dryer on the low temp setting could be used to apply heat, most heat guns are too aggressive to use. There are steamers that upholsterers use that can direct the steam to small or larger areas. I don't know how effective they would be in this situation. Installing a vinyl covering is just like installing a convertible top, not an easy job for an amateur. I would look for a shop that has done a lot of work similar to installing the SW top. Tom
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| kubes40 | -- 09-05-2019 @ 3:22 PM |
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I have used a heat gun. You need to be careful obviously but hey, that's why ya get the big bucks. Allowing the sun to soak it helps but not enough to pull the corners as well as I expect. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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