top padding on huckster

jglad

jglad

Junior Member
I am to the point on my huckster build where I am about to put the top material on. Should I use padding on top of the wooden slats or should I fasten the top material directly on the slats?
 
I think you should use a thin layer of cotton batting. It can be purchased from most Ford parts houses you patronize. Use a cloth ticking under the batting and over the slats.
 
I installed top material directly over slats since material is exposed to weather.

Ted Karis
 
I'm curious ==won't installing the top on the wood will cause "rub" spots from the wind hitting and buffeting the material? It seems that when you put the batting over the slats, it softens and keeps the top material from chaffing and makes a smoother top.
 
jglad said:
I am to the point on my huckster build where I am about to put the top material on. Should I use padding on top of the wooden slats or should I fasten the top material directly on the slats?
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I bought a top kit from Tam's which included denim, padding and long grain top, and installed according to directions. The denim which is visible through the slats appears to be the color of blue jeans, but it is actually light gray. I don't know how necessary the three layers are, but I follow instructions until and unless I know better. Pics show the top being stretched in the hot sun
 

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when using batting, use cotton. the plastic goes bad in time.

you definitely want batting, to put tension on the topping. It works the same as carpeting. without padding, the carpet will have no tension and lay unevenly.
 
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When I built a canopy for my CCPU I used black indoor/outdoor carpet I bought by the foot at Home Depot. I installed it carpet side down followed by long grain top material. Turned out very great. Nice and flat and smooth.
 
Topping with no cotton duck canvas or padding underlayment does have a tendency to flap or flutter when the top material loosens up after setting in the sun. This has a tendency to wear the underside of the top material. I think it just looks better with padding. The wood slats were used in the model T time frame on some closed cab bodies. They are better than the poultry netting used on a lot of other model A bodies. Both work OK. The netting is lighter weight and was used on the bodies that had metal on the top sides of the roof. The all wood station wagon didn't use any metals on the roof so slats were more appropriate.
 
fabric stores sell quilt batting. it may not be cotton i don't know but i used some years ago and it is still good. might be worth a look but if your wife is a quilter sneak off with her roll.
 
I bought the top kit from Snyders and installed it using their padding. It came out looking good. Thanks for all the advice.
 
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