Material for soft top windows

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
Lets pretend you were making a soft top :lol: and need material for the sides/windows.
You can get good ol' vinyl in clear sheets. Does anybody know what the thickness is of the stuff typicall used for Jeeps etc? Hancock's has it in .012 but it still feels kinda thin to me.

Or better yet, is there another/better material?
 
I don't have the jeep here, but that stuff has to be about 1/16th (.0625") thick.
 
Is it just vinyl, or some kind of plastic?
I'm torn between something very thick, stiff and strong, verses something that can be easilyy rolled up as opposed to having to be removed in a panel.
But then - is the rear window as thick as the sides? That rolls ok.
 
if it's thick, it could also crack easier when it gets cold and you roll it up?
 
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/index.asp

The same material used for boating stuff seems about right. Doing the seams seems to be the biggest pita, bestop/others used a silicone material between the layers that gets "sandwiched" when sewn together, to keep it from leaking.

Industrial strength sewing machine is also needed, I know YAGER was looking into at one point...

Kayline used to make them for just about every topless 4x4, blazers, scouts, broncos, etc. Someone bought them and they are still making stuff..

If someone got started in this "biz" I imagine there would be a "buggy" market? That is why I have considered investing in the machines and fabric etc to start making them as side biz.

Sam
 
Fortuantely, in my case I don't really have any "seams" - just 3 seperate peices of material, top and 2 sides. only potential seems would be the edges if I wanted to fold it back to avoid possible frays; however, teh fabric for the top is a PVC based material, and if the sides are just solid vinyl/plastic then this isn't an issue.
I have sewn industrial velro onto PVC-backed vinyl fabric before, it's not easy but doable. You mostly need a big-ass needle designed for denim or other heavy material. Our Singer took it in stride just fine.
Instead of sewing a clear window into a fabric panel (like Jeeps etc), I'll just use a solid peice of clear vinyl (or whatever) etc. Won't look as cool but easier.
 
I have a heavy duty Industrial Singer Sewing Machine with the walking feet and other misc. attachments that I made a top for my Bronco back before I knew what I was doing. It's been sitting for years but just needs an oil change and a quick once over service. If someone was up to helping me service it, I'd gladly let someone use it. It's too heavy for me to lug by myself.
The major mistake I learnt the first go-around was to pre-shring the material first. If not, first rain and it's like tight underwear. Take it off and it will never go back on. If you use lindseed oil it won't shrink, but it will be very stiff. The clear vinyl is best bought from any awning shop. It's very thick stuff! And also get you a spool of some suv protective thread off ebay.
Oh yea, I even have a ruffler attachment for anyone that wanted to get kinky with their top. LOL Maybe an option for the women wheelers.
 
wasn't yager making his own top? there was also another write-up on pirate a few weeks ago about making your own soft top...

i don't have the patience, but props to you guys who do..
 
bigassedredjeep said:
i don't have the patience, but props to you guys who do..
Click to expand...

Well when you have an old 4Runner, if you want one, and don't feel like sacrificing an arm and leg, the options are pretty limited....
 
SHINTON said:
Kayline used to make them for just about every topless 4x4, blazers, scouts, broncos, etc. Someone bought them and they are still making stuff..
Click to expand...

STC bought out the Kayline stuff......they closed up shop in the last couple of months.


Matt
 
I have been making my own... more like modifying one, I was fortunate enough (as I see now) to get it from STC(Kayline/whoever) Its a CJ8 top that ive pieced in a section to make a more/less half cab that fits my roll bars.

I really like the top and the price was fair, im not sure why they went under/sold out etc.. I think there is a growing market for custom tops, you just need a good way to get spec/dimensions from people properly etc..

anyway im using an old kenmore early 80s vintage.. its working ok, it gets bogged down with 4 or more layers of canvas. I havn't tried the vinyl stuff yet, but it seems like it would sew the same..

and back to the original ? its just vinyl. Boat place have similer stuff. I was actually going to make my back window take plexy/plastic inserts so i could swap them out down the road, I HATE doing being able to see out the back window as the side mirrors are never in the same spot :)

Honestly its hard work to make a full top, there are a lot of complicated seems and joints. But there are many ways you can do a simple top, if your not looking for drip edges and all that stuff..
 
6BangBronk said:
I have a heavy duty Industrial Singer Sewing Machine with the walking feet and other misc. attachments that I made a top for my Bronco back before I knew what I was doing. It's been sitting for years but just needs an oil change and a quick once over service. If someone was up to helping me service it, I'd gladly let someone use it. It's too heavy for me to lug by myself.
The major mistake I learnt the first go-around was to pre-shring the material first. If not, first rain and it's like tight underwear. Take it off and it will never go back on. If you use lindseed oil it won't shrink, but it will be very stiff. The clear vinyl is best bought from any awning shop. It's very thick stuff! And also get you a spool of some suv protective thread off ebay.
Oh yea, I even have a ruffler attachment for anyone that wanted to get kinky with their top. LOL Maybe an option for the women wheelers.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.
How would you suggest pre-shrinking it? Maybe a run through a washer? Or just hose off, and set outside?
The material I have for the top is not just vinyl, it's some kind of think PVC material with weaved pattern stamped into it, with cotton fibers embedded in the back. Does not seem to stretch or tear. I used it for a bikini top and used all last summer w/ good luck.
 
Revival.
I got the top done and so teh sides are next. Need to get the material.
After some Googling, looks like "strataglass" is the Benz of this stuff, made for boats etc and super durable - but pricy. I only need 2 ~24x54 peices, smallest quantity is twice that.
Does anybody know of a local distributor for this stuff?
Anybody else have a siilar project and want to split an order?
Otherwise I will go with .030 or .040 vinyl and see how long it lasts.
 
336-294-2687 is Custom Auto Trim upholstery shop. They redid some seats for me a month or two ago, nice guy, very reasonable.

They redo stuff for boats etc so I am sure they have the clear vinyl in stock, you might call them to see how much to cut two pieces the size you need?

They are in Greensboro just off Wendover's mile o'cars on Edwardia Dr.
 
Back
Top