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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: Grebo on April 13, 2011, 07:16:38 am

Title: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on April 13, 2011, 07:16:38 am
Help.
I am going to see my very first T top job tomorrow.
Come on guys & girls How do I attack this ?  You do these all the time right.
It's on a volvo ocean race rib, could be another 4 to go with it  :-X
???

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 13, 2011, 10:38:36 am
Some t tops have a single ring so the canvS top is just a single flat a e od fabric.  Some t tops are a two ring a d the canvas turns over the too ring a d comes down to the second ring were itaces to it there Re seams in   here to achieve the 2 planes of fabric.
Tmw  pic and we can  help you beter.   
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: fragged8 on April 13, 2011, 03:58:33 pm
depending on the type of t top Suzi
look on my server there is a vid on t tops.

not the flat type though

Rich
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: JuneC on April 13, 2011, 05:34:23 pm
Love 'em.  Super easy.  You'll breeze right through.  8)  But... have your "grommet arm" ready for a workout.  Lots of t-tops take anywhere from 150 to 250 grommets. 

Hint:  When installing, use wire wraps/cable ties to position and tension the t-top and hold the whole lot in position while you lace it to the frame.  Lacing.... now that's another topic altogether.  :'(

June
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: ncydmn on April 13, 2011, 06:33:23 pm
T-Tops....glass panels you remove from the roof of your car.  Dawng, us car guys think a little different.  I was wondering how one would cover them myself, and why?  Guess I am still wondering.   ;D
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 13, 2011, 09:01:10 pm
here is a single ring t top
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_100_1186.jpg&hash=e004b064d3c8ca25c4b5c50d6309751f) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/100_1186.jpg)


and here is a double ring never mind the rear shade
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_MVC-449S.jpg&hash=c530bc848901512bd561bdd117823ccd) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/MVC-449S.jpg)
their in the shape a T nycdm
i cut 4" strip and fold then in half and bind them around the edge then stitch the other edge dowwn now i have 3 layers of sunbrella to supprt my spur grommets i space tem 4"  and less on the corners
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_photo2-46.jpg&hash=a36aa8a0b38f3075e08422a4eecd6b24) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/photo2-46.jpg)
i had a diagram how i lace them somwhere ill loook 4 it
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on April 14, 2011, 12:50:56 am
Quote from: ncydmn on April 13, 2011, 06:33:23 pm
T-Tops....glass panels you remove from the roof of your car.  Dawng, us car guys think a little different.  I was wondering how one would cover them myself, and why?  Guess I am still wondering.   ;D


:-[ Sorry abut that...  :D



Thanks, I knew I could reply on you guys/girls  :-*
See I never thought of single or double ring  ???  Thanks Mike,

Thanks June,  :o  that's a lot of grommets, is there an optimum spacing ?   
Get you a piccy soon as they have flipped the thing over the right way  :P

Thanks Rich, will have a look.

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on April 14, 2011, 05:12:02 am
this is great. I just ordered materials for my first T-top job too. Im doing a double ring T-top. its about 6x8 in size.


This is great information!!

I ordered seamark fabric for the job. looks like i will be doing over 100 grommets......ouch.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: scarab29 on April 14, 2011, 07:16:25 am
Doing one right now for a contender about the same size. Like mike !!
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on April 14, 2011, 10:06:29 am
are there any secrets to the radio antenna besides cutting it and resoldering the end?

any tensioning secrets when lacing the rope in?

Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 14, 2011, 11:06:22 am
When I get on my home pc I'll look for the diagram I made.  I cut off 3 times thee gtg of the frame find the middle of the line and start Laci g from the fro t center.
Go

down one hole over the pipe and out  around the pipe and back up the same hole over to the next hole Down. And out over the pipe around  the pipe and back up the same hole      Repete.
I rember  down and out as in Beverly bills  the movie  

i phone typo edited and pic
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_lacingfigure.jpg&hash=95b08e5dc8c242f4942ea41dcb0b37dc) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/lacingfigure.jpg)
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: fragged8 on April 14, 2011, 02:25:11 pm
hey Mike, you either need a bigger IPhone or smaller fingers hehehe..

I'm liking this thread, I don't expect i'll ever see a proper T top where I am
but love the info.

Rich
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on April 15, 2011, 06:15:46 am
Thanks Mike, they haven't flipped the rib other yet, so I still haven't seem it  ::)

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 15, 2011, 10:15:48 am
What do tou meenipped ot over.  Is it capsized with the t top 
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: DBR1957 on April 15, 2011, 12:30:15 pm
Quote from: Mike8560 on April 14, 2011, 11:06:22 am
When I get on my home pc I'll look for the diagram I made.  I cut off 3 times thee gtg of the frame find the middle of the line and start Laci g from the fro t center.
Go

down one hole over the pipe and out  around the pipe and back up the same hole over to the next hole Down. And out over the pipe around  the pipe and back up the same hole      Repete.
I rember  down and out as in Beverly bills  the movie  

i phone typo edited and pic
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi782.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy102%2FMike8560%2Fth_lacingfigure.jpg&hash=95b08e5dc8c242f4942ea41dcb0b37dc) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/lacingfigure.jpg)


I typically lace the same way but when I bring the rope up back through I go behind the previous pass. It will lock itself in that way.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on April 16, 2011, 05:21:25 am
Quote from: Mike8560 on April 15, 2011, 10:15:48 am
What do tou meenipped ot over.  Is it capsized with the t top 


Don't know Mike, the Guys just said they needed to turn it over for me ?
Next week now  ::)

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on April 16, 2011, 05:49:22 am
I got to looking at the cording diagram versus the t-top I am about to do. The guy told me this top came from the factory on the boat. So i have to ask the question, is there anything wrong with putting the cord back on the top the way it was originally?

The cording on the top comes from under the bar, through the grommet, then back under the bar, through the grommet a second time, and the over the bar to the next grommet, rinse and repeat.

(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1139.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn549%2FG_Canvas%2F11b2ff28.jpg&hash=3f24477ed5ca51dcd651e1b31ecbec2b)
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n549/G_Canvas/11b2ff28.jpg
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 16, 2011, 07:06:18 am
jsqual the lacing may bo ok but the canvas dont look oem the rear corners shold have a seam so all hoose ouckerrs are gone and the canvas should notch up and over each rod holder
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: JuneC on April 16, 2011, 07:48:34 am
Mike, I was thinking exactly the same thing.  The canvas fits really poorly.  Looks to me like they made a flat canvas for a double-ring top.  There should be a fitted section around the rear and like Mike says, notches for the rocket launchers.

June
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: DBR1957 on April 16, 2011, 09:07:34 am
Doesn't look OEM to me either especially with the darker color webbing
for the grommet reinforcement.

I've seen tops laced like that before but it's just for a different laced look
and allows you to adjust tension from the underside by pulling the line
running diagonally. I like the down, around, up and behind method and
pull tension from the top side. That way I can see any puckers on the
top and adjust accordingly. To me it looks to busy and I would have used
white rope with that color canvas.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 16, 2011, 11:19:07 am
Well black doese last better and dosent show dirt 
Though wire would look better to me also. I use black for most colors navy ; ect and I doo alot of black canvas
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: scarab29 on April 17, 2011, 05:41:20 pm
Like mike I like the look of the black with dark color canvas. That being said The top I finished this afternoon is navy being installed with white ! Whatever the customer wants. At least you have pics of the detail of the origional canvas installed so you can easily show the customer what the last one was finished like. I don't usually kill another guys work on a job but when I see a detail I don't like , like the trim around the rocket launchers , I suggest the change , tell them why and usually if they go for it there's a little bump room !!!!!!
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on April 17, 2011, 06:16:32 pm
Forgive my shortness in this post.  I have to do this from my wifes ipad, we had a tornado pass close by yesterday.

The top was new with the boat and the rear is notched for the rocket launchers. I patterned it today. Since I am doing this top and the life jacket holder I have a question about coil zippers. Can a coil Zipper have a double pull?


Again sorry for the shortness, but ipads are a pain to type on
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: JuneC on April 17, 2011, 07:21:37 pm
Hope all is well in the center of the country for you guys out there.  Been a rough week weather-wise for lots of spots. 

By "double pull" you mean pull tabs on both sides of the zip slider?  Or do you mean pulls on both ends?  The first... I've never seen.  The second.... lots of times.  Also, coil separating zips are out there.  Look for Jeep (automotive) zips.  Jeep tops have a rare selection of coil zips. 

June
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on April 17, 2011, 09:47:23 pm
Coil zippers do have double pulls on slider inside and outside for say a door zipper.  And or yes like June said you can have two pull sliders running opisite direction to Olen the zipper  just like on a u zipper so you can open it with your left and right hand   
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on April 18, 2011, 03:47:40 am
Tyvm!!
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on May 05, 2011, 01:50:54 am
Finally got to see the thing  ::)

Don't know why he was talking about the rib. It's not even on it !
This thing comes off fairly regularly as all the ribs get shipped about in containers.

(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh158%2Fgrebo2%2FPosting%2Fth_P1000429.jpg&hash=111b31c1e8a2f410b1b67eef0cfc2c1b) (http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/grebo2/Posting/P1000429.jpg) (https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh158%2Fgrebo2%2FPosting%2Fth_P1000428.jpg&hash=6e1c699db75b3967572b6f2360f78ca7) (http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/grebo2/Posting/P1000428.jpg) (https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh158%2Fgrebo2%2FPosting%2Fth_P1000427.jpg&hash=1692d8c96cc26f982998b3af2e125a31) (http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/grebo2/Posting/P1000427.jpg) (https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fh158%2Fgrebo2%2FPosting%2Fth_P1000426.jpg&hash=39f5a5c2bf992ca58b0ed6b73ecf7d3f) (http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/grebo2/Posting/P1000426.jpg)

There is a piece of bend frame at one end which is going to be cut out & replaced. As far as I know the only cut out is the nav light & may be an antenna.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on May 05, 2011, 05:27:17 am
looks like a simple T-top job to me. I finished the one I had so if there is anything I can offer as help please let me know!
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: JuneC on May 05, 2011, 08:23:23 am
Looks straightforward.  Only suggestion I have is to put a heavy reinforcement under the canvas where it covers the metal plate.  The heat (if the color is dark) and any flutter at all as the lacing stretches will cause wear along the edge of the metal.  I use Herculite. 

June
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on May 05, 2011, 09:44:55 am
Can't get herculite, was thinking of two layers of stamoid heavy back to back ? What size grommets would you use  #2 spur grommets ?
It's one of the camera boats so they don't want anything too 'bright' !
The rib has a 225 yamaha outboard strapped on the back  :-X

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on May 05, 2011, 10:54:15 am
On the top i just did i used Seamark(customers request) and #2 self piercing grommets. Customer was very pleased.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Mike8560 on May 05, 2011, 12:25:16 pm
I use #1 spur
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: jsquail on May 05, 2011, 06:03:41 pm
Quote from: Mike8560 on May 05, 2011, 12:25:16 pm
I use #1 spur


saw those on the boat next to my customers. They looked equally as well on the top. Would be another choice of mine to use.
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on May 06, 2011, 12:38:48 am
Thanks, better get the quote done now  ::)

Suzi
Title: Re: First T ? top.
Post by: Grebo on May 11, 2011, 08:14:08 am
Just sent you a PM Mike  :-*
Just incase someone else can answer.
What size is your #1 spur grommets, I am looking at 5/16" , 3/8" for #2  & 7/16 for #3.

Suzi