Vinyl Top 4 Tear

[surveytech]

You have to be careful with Marine fabrics, as some are vinyl on both sides. With that type you can’t glue it down, as the glue will release from the vinyl. It’s hard to get any thing to stick to vinyl except bird poo and road grim. But that does not make good glue, just a mess! :R



Chuck

Good point Chuck. I know nothing about this vinyl. Only came across it while searching for stuff for my PT Cruiser.

I would certainly want to talk with them on the phone before ordering and let them know what I wanted to do and then go from there.

Walter

[gassman]

Hey Finn:
Soumalina Pooika!!.... or something like that (O.K. I can say it not spell it !!) I hope I didn't offend; I'm trying to say Finn Boy.

As for the vinyl roof material; Surveytech is correct...go with the bruntuff from Your Auto Trim!! That is what I just ordered for mine.. it is the exact same stuff we were using for cars in the '70's. Seal your wood; use a good adhesive i.e. 3M dual trim; and glue her down. This material has no weave backing (usually done in cotton) to collect and retain moisture from weather changes; just an impregnated grid for glue to adhere...Good product at a reasonable price!

Rick and Tracy

[Creamcracker]

[quote="Chuck Craven"]You have to be careful with Marine fabrics, as some are vinyl on both sides. With that type you can’t glue it down, as the glue will release from the vinyl. It’s hard to get any thing to stick to vinyl except bird poo and road grim. But that does not make good glue, just a mess!

I dont intend to glue mine down, rather I'm going to "float" the vinyl on the surface, suitably stretched, and then secure along the roof/top edge which will then be sealed and trimmed off with alumnium edging. Most marine vinyls that I've looked at have a heavier texture with a diamond shaped pattern on the reverse side.
Philip

[imstriker]

FWIW, I have a marine vinyl top on my TTT. I picked it up from JoAnn's with a 40% off coupon. I have it stretched over with staples holding it in on both sides and ends. Still working on the trim over it. Not sure how well it will hold up, but it does give a nice continous sheet however long you want with no seams. Time will tell I suppose.

[Classic Finn]

Hey Finn:
Soumalina Pooika!!.... or something like that (O.K. I can say it not spell it !!) I hope I didn't offend; I'm trying to say Finn Boy.

As for the vinyl roof material; Surveytech is correct...go with the bruntuff from Your Auto Trim!! That is what I just ordered for mine.. it is the exact same stuff we were using for cars in the '70's. Seal your wood; use a good adhesive i.e. 3M dual trim; and glue her down. This material has no weave backing (usually done in cotton) to collect and retain moisture from weather changes; just an impregnated grid for glue to adhere...Good product at a reasonable price!

Rick and Tracy

Rick and Tracy

Now thats great.. Suomalainen Poika.. No offense at all..
but yes it does mean Finnish Boy.. do you speak Finnish?

You,ll have to take some photos of the material once you receive it ok.. On the photo on this thread the nicely done car and tear..the roof looks puffy or very cushioned.. Id like a look like that if possible..

I,ll have to check and see if that company would send some of that material here to Suomi Poika Land... Most likely much cheaper to get it from your country..

I,ll send them an email and check..
Kiitos Paljon - Thank You Very Much for the Info..

Classic Finn

[Darren]

I used this vinyl.
http://www.yourautotrim.com/rivieraputty.html
It's been marked down to $4.95 a yard and is 54" wide. I went with the float method. I'll let you know how it works next week.

[caseydog]

I made a hard tanneau for a truck once, and put a nice vinyl on it. It was really easy to do. It is put on with contact adhesive, as you do with a laminate, only the material is soft.

I have thought about it for a future TD build. It does look good with wood sides, I think.

Hey, you could do a fake convertible look, and a gold package. Maybe a landau treatment with opera windows. You could call it, "That 70s Teardrop".

[caseydog]

You have to be careful with Marine fabrics, as some are vinyl on both sides. With that type you can’t glue it down, as the glue will release from the vinyl. It’s hard to get any thing to stick to vinyl except bird poo and road grim. But that does not make good glue, just a mess!

I dont intend to glue mine down, rather I'm going to "float" the vinyl on the surface, suitably stretched, and then secure along the roof/top edge which will then be sealed and trimmed off with alumnium edging. Most marine vinyls that I've looked at have a heavier texture with a diamond shaped pattern on the reverse side.
Philip

I'm a bit concerned about "floating" the vinyl. I can see this thing making a giant bubble on your roof at highway speeds. Even with the edges perfectly sealed, if aerodynamics create a low-pressure zone anywhere as wind passes over the roof, the stretchiness of the vinyl could allow it to pull up and look like a 1977 Monte Carlo vinyl top did after a couple of years.

Just some food for thought.

CD

[Darren]

That's my worry also. I didn't really consider it as I was building. It is pulled tight but I bet it will get sucked up by air pressure. Hopefully it's downward pressure.

[Chuck Craven]

That's my worry also. I didn't really consider it as I was building. It is pulled tight but I bet it will get sucked up by air pressure. Hopefully it's downward pressure.

I think if you have it nice and tight you should not have a problem!

The only time I have ever seen vinyl used on vehicles, it is glued down.
But Tonneau covers float and can get damaged from the flapping, if not mounted tight to its frame. I am gong to glass and epoxy the top. Cense I am not very good at fiber glassing I want to glue the vinyl over that. It’s called hiding my handy less work.
I can get fiberglass to stick to everything but it looks as if a big bug got stuck and worked its self off before the stuff hardened. So we will see how this works.
My frame should be completed by this Friday. Then paint it and the woodworking will commence!

Chuck

[Creamcracker]

Floating the vinyl, if properly installed should not cause any flapping/bubbling etc. It's basically the same as a well fitted convertible top stretched over a sheet instead of a frame. I've worked with vinyl tops long enough to not have any worries about such a thing.

[gassman]

Classic Finn:
I'll take some pics after the weekend; gotta do the cancer treatment thing the next couple days. As far as floating the top...hadn't planned on it. I'll glue it up lightly; 3M's stuff acts like a contact adhesive...when stretched properly; no air pockets or bubbling should happen. Hope a few photo's in Forrest Green are OK !!!

Me Finnish ?? Not hardly; pure Irish, just happened to go to school in a predominately Finnish neighborhood. Lots of Tuurri's, Toivola's and Hovi's around...just picked up a few words; that was a long time ago!!!

Rick and Tracy

P.S., Saw Tim and Lori at the Buckeye Tear Jerkers get together over the weekend...thought I'd pass along a little howdy from them.

[HMK]

Hey that gives me an idea.

A Tuck and Roll Hatchback!

[Classic Finn]

Floating the vinyl, if properly installed should not cause any flapping/bubbling etc. It's basically the same as a well fitted convertible top stretched over a sheet instead of a frame. I've worked with vinyl tops long enough to not have any worries about such a thing.

I thought since you have a lot of experience under the belt..So is it ok to use so called Marine Vinyl then? We have a lot of choices available here in Finland since we are known around the world for Cruise Ship Building and Boats.. but I dont have any experience in this at all. and Im sure noone here has used it for a teardrop..

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Classic Finn:
I'll take some pics after the weekend; gotta do the cancer treatment thing the next couple days. As far as floating the top...hadn't planned on it. I'll glue it up lightly; 3M's stuff acts like a contact adhesive...when stretched properly; no air pockets or bubbling should happen. Hope a few photo's in Forrest Green are OK !!!

Me Finnish ?? Not hardly; pure Irish, just happened to go to school in a predominately Finnish neighborhood. Lots of Tuurri's, Toivola's and Hovi's around...just picked up a few words; that was a long time ago!!!

Rick and Tracy

P.S., Saw Tim and Lori at the Buckeye Tear Jerkers get together over the weekend...thought I'd pass along a little howdy from them.

Rick and Tracy
I understand Tim and Lori won a few awards with their nice looking tear there. Correct?

I also hear that Ohio has a comunity of Finns.. Or at least had since the ol timers have passed on..those are for sure Finnish names you mention.

Yes please do post some photos then when you get a chance.

Best regards
Classic Finn

Ps Thank You for the greetings.