Well, I decided that I've talked about how I was gonna get my molded fiberglass top covered to look more like a roadster top should. Well after getting two estimates to have it covered I decided to save some money and try it myself. I started out with a Goodwill ten dollar 1934 Percision Deluxe Sewmore sewing machine. Nice heavy duty machine. Then I found some outdoor material used for awnings and umbrellas, $10.00 per yard, bought 3 yards. I cut the center piece first, then laid out the side pieces, sewed the 3 side pieces together and then sewed them to the center piece. It took some trial and error but all and all it came out pretty good. It's even got a few puckers in it just like a real cloth top. I'm all done for under $100.00 and that's about $650.00 less than the cheapest estimate I got. Not perfect but much better than what it was.
Thanks. I used 1/8th quilt batting and doubled it up. I attached the batting to the top with carpet tape every 10 or 12 inches across the width to hold it in place while I laid the sewn top over it. This was on a table, then I flipped it over and stapled and glued it to the inside, where I had glued plywood strips around the edges. The pipeing is 3/16 clear vinyl tubeing inside some of the top material. I shoved the tube inside, I also used some of that for windlace on the doors. I saw an article in Rod&Custom where they did a top by glueing it to the top, but I thought that looked to much like a vinyl top. I wanted it to look like a convertable top.
How much did you pay for the sewing machine? What features does it have that make it a good choice for auto upholstery? Thanks!
What was the finish on the top before you covered it? Nice job,it does really look more like a convert top now!
you could have made the top out of three pieces and the window out of one piece, but you would have purchased some wire-on. but not bad for your first time.
Dang your pictures took a long time to load, anyone else have that problem? Anyway looks great. Have you tried a heat gun on the wrinkles? Usually takes most of them out.
Ten bucks, plus I had to replace the belt and oil it up. I don't know anything about sewing machines except that this one is all steel and very heavy. Even sewing through four layers of material it never slowed down. It came with a bunch of different feet for heavier stuff.
The top is fiberglass and I had sprayed it with some spray on bed liner by Rustoleum, I had to sand that all off in order to get the carpet tape to stick to it.
That was gonna be my next step, I had to do that when I did the interior and it took most of them out, I'm thinking they will shrink down some with some heat. Sorry about the pictures taking so long, I don't know why.
If its canvas a heat gun alone will not remove the wrinkles. You need steam. Try carefully heating with the heat gun then mist it with clean water (spray bottle) or use a clean damp rag to dab at it. Kinda like shrinking a dent. Be careful not to over heat the material as it could scorch or melt it. Otherwise it looks good for your first time.
Your top looks great! The best thing is you did it yourself. Keep that sewing machine you can make some $$$$ with it..........................
That's good information Jim, thanks, I'll do just that. I'm not sure what the material is other than it was labeled "outdoor awning and umbrella" when I tested it for strength I put it in my vice and grabbed it with a vice grips and I couldn't rip it, so I cut it and then pulled on it again, this time I was able to rip it but it was really hard. It's really closley woven thread with what looks like a thin vinyl backing. I appreciate the info from a pro like you. I had a good time doing this project, I not only learned a little but I also found out that the estimates I got were not out of line, it was alot of tedious work for a novice like me, Again, thanks for the reply.
That's the thing with me, I do everything myself. It may take three times as long but I like the satisfaction of being able to say " I did " when someone asks who did this or that. Plus, the next one will be easier.
Before you put a heat gun to it, go practice on a test scrap. You might find it works OK, but you might find the backing shrivels and distorts the cloth or something equally horrid. BTW, did you make the fiberglass top by yourself? It's quite nice looking, even bare.
Schweet FerShure Don, Your talents continue to blossom on that cool Rod. You need to do a complete build picture and details of it. Hope all is going well for you.. Been too long buddy, Cheers..
Thanks Bob. Soon as the weather straightens out I'm gonna take a ride and see what's going on in your garage.
I will test it first, that's good advice. The top was a swap meet find, it was for a 32 roadster the guy wasn't going to use so I bought it for I think $40.00 several years ago. Had to narrow it 2 inches, that was a chore.
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