chicken wire

Ken Arms

Ken Arms

Well-known member
Hi all, starting the process to replace vinyl top on my 34 tudor, I have no references since the original top has been gone for years. I started with new wood trusses. Yesterday I put the chicken wire on. I assume the wire should stop short of the tack strip correct? I wouldn't think the molding would fit well if the wire was there. Any pics and tips for any part of this process would be VERY welcome. My top kit is Labaron and Bonny. Ken
 
The original wire was heavier than chicken wire, it stopped short of the metal body edges and could be used as an ungrounded antenna. There are a couple of recent post regarding the radio antenna, there is a photo of some of the original wire type on this posting.
 
A galvanized 3X3 or 4X4 mesh (3 or 4 wires per inch respectively) with .032" or .047" wire size is close to the ones that I've seen that have the antenna wire soldered on. The area where it need to be soldered may need to be cleaned to bare metal before soldering on a the antenna wire.

The wire mesh referred to as chicken wire is kind of light duty for a top insert but can have acceptable results as long as something heavy doesn't ever fall on it. Once it is stretched it won't go back to shape very easily. It also should be protected against corrosion. Most of the stuff is galvanized but can be painted.
 
I've always used stucco wire. A lot stiffer and is coated so it does not tarnish or rust. It looks similar to chicken wire.
 
Ford called it "roof netting" when referring to the model A cars but they used several varieties and styles depending on year of manufacture and the different body manufacturer subcontractors when they outsourced to keep up with production. It sort of evolved for the remaining years that the car tops were made this way. The welded hardware wire cloth that is available in this day and age is closer to what they used in the final few years before they started manufactured solid steel roofs. Wire cloth is still readily available from a lot of sources.
 
Thank you all, good info. I'm now getting pics of an original four door with chicken wire still in place from a fellow Barner! Ken
 
It's a Hot Rod thing but I stopped using chicken wire 20 years ago and went to 1/8 inch tempered water proof Masonite screwed to the wood with flathead screws followed by 1/8 inch dense black vinyl top foam and then the topping. Has worked on a half dozen cars for me although not restoration correct.
 
We have replaced several soft roofs with the materials from LeBaron Bonney. They still use "chicken wire". There is enough "give" in it to allow the vinyl to be stretched evenly over the padding. Be sure that the tack holes in the edge of the opening are intact, and the wood below the opening is not rotted so the tacks will be secure.
 
Ken Arms said:
Thank you all, good info. I'm now getting pics of an original four door with chicken wire still in place from a fellow Barner! Ken
Click to expand...

Ken, can you post the pictures of the original four door? I would think a photo of an original would answer a lot of questions. thanks
 
T Scott, no, I'm still waiting for the pics, I will post them depending on how they are sent to me. Ken
 
Chicken wire/poultry mesh is actually 1" x 20 gauge wire.. Stucco mesh wire is 1.5" x 17 gauge. The original wire used on the roofs of the early Fords is very similar to stucco mesh wire. 1"x20 wire is to light for a roof.
Correct Stucco mesh wire can be hard to find, many of the plasters have gone to 2-2-16 welded wire which is commonly referred to as "K-lath".. Not a good product for a roof on an old car..
 
Ok folks, here is a pick of an original 34 fordor from a fellow barner. The wire is fairly light duty as you can see. Just wanted everyone to see what Henry did, I am using a heavier wire on my car. (personal preference). Ken
 

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The soft tops didn't last real well even if kept in a garage so a lot of them may have been replaced several times in their history. A person might find a few original unmolested cars out there but I imagine they are fewer and farther between as time goes by. Many factory originals were photographed for restoration books thank God.
 
ken, could you show us the whole process? i have two to do, and need you to make all the mistakes first!
 
Ken, are you going to retain the chicken-wire/mesh to use as a radio antenna as was done originally?
I'm really impressed with the reception it provides to the ashtray radio in my '34....
 
On my A coupe I put the headliner in before the top. It let light inside the car. I put a liner between the wire and wood bows to prevent rattling from wind. Also marked the existing tack hole locations so I didn't have to drive thru metal.
 

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Ken, I don't know how far you are into this process but I notice you have no fabric between the wood bows and the wire mesh. I feel this is important to prevent squeaking and rattling between the two. See Tony,NY's post.
 
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