Gallon jugs for stretching top material.

[Tacoma Bob]

Hello all. I have searched google and the archives here as well for a photo of a 30 Tudor top installation. The picture shows gallon jugs filled with water and fastened to the edges of the top. If anyone can provide that picture I would appreciate it. I have no intention of using this technique but need it for an example. Thanks TB

 

[Tom Endy]

The way we did it was to construct a 2X4 wooden frame larger than the top of the car and attach the top material to it. We set it out in the sun (July) and every few hours pulled it tighter and re-attached it.


When it was sufficiently stretched we set the frame over the top of the car and attached the material to the car and cut the material attached to the frame.


Tom Endy

 

[jb-ob]

My Father wasn't a car guy but did offer another set of hands helping to install a top on my '29 Delivery. Both the top & memory are still great today.


JB

 

[modela@aol.com]

 

[TerryO]

The way we did it was to construct a 2X4 wooden frame larger than the top of the car and attach the top material to it. We set it out in the sun (July) and every few hours pulled it tighter and re-attached it.


When it was sufficiently stretched we set the frame over the top of the car and attached the material to the car and cut the material attached to the frame.


Tom Endy
Attached Thumbnails

Nice scaffolds

 

[Alaska Mike]

We work with vinyl all the time. The thing you should factor in, is vinyl shrinks as it ages. So all that stretching at installation time may not work to your advantage as time goes by. I have seen it happen on convertible tops on my Mustang, and my MG Midget. Gets to where you can't get the top to close, especially if you don't store them with the top up all the time..