Diy Soft Top

Anyone make their own replacement skins for a Whitco or similar top? I’d like to know how it went, what you learned, sequence of fabrication, material recommendations. I’m hot for a white top for an Intermediate.

Seems like working top-down is the only practical way. I have a well-ruined black top, and a nicer white one. Probably cut apart the black one at the seams (cutting threads, not vinyl). But I’ll need to set up a big workspace first. Also need an industrial machine.

Anyone know how a repair shop installs window vinyl? Do they sew it in, or do they have a way to melt it on like factory? Sew with some kind of sealant/glue?

 

A ECJ5 search will get you a couple of threads. Also, there's some interesting concepts in the video.

 

I want to do this so bad. Just don’t have $800 for a Sail Rite machine. Watch the videos on Sail Rites web site. I dont know it’s an advantage to have an old top to use as a pattern, as Howard said they shrink over time. Post up pictures of the progress.

 

Templates give an idea of what shape to cut. If I do this I'll make a top piece and keep edges long. Fit up, trim and install edging like a tailor would do a pair of pants. Essentially making a long bikini top that uses the bows.

I'd probably then make a back section inspired by original piece but measured to fit. Leave bottom edge long. Leave it solid, dont install clear vinyl yet. Sew it to the top piece but leave bottom unfinished and long. Might install some grommets on the long bottom edge so I can suck it down taut.

Now make the sides. Again, leave solid, grommets on extra long skirt. I'd work on tailoring sides from back toward front. So next step is zippers for the back and sides. Leave front edges long.

Now I think I'll install snaps and finish wrapping the front of each side around the vertical rods.

Doors look manageable because theyre small. The templates should be fairly well sized because theyve been held like a pelt on a stretcher.

 

Last step will be to sew in vinyl and cut the holes. I think? Good idea to leave solid until the end?

 

A little late to this thread, but I was working on making my own white soft top. Its been on hiatus for some time now, but I was able to create an entire top I was fairly happy with. It still needs a few more tweaks and I would probably use it as a pattern to make one thats a little more clean. The best I can tell the larger companies like bestop melt their windows into the fabric. I attempted this after watching a few videos but could never quite get the desired effect. I actually ended up seeing a video of how they make soft tops for VW Things, and all their windows were sewn in using a similar style to the video posted above. That is what I ended up doing and it was far easier and I was able to get the same results each time. I haven't finished the doors yet. I was bend/welding my own door frames, and I was having issues leaving excess material to attach to the body like the old style tops. I think this was just with the technique I was using. Making A White Soft Top

 

you can find a decent used industrial machine for a couple hundred dollars. I use mine for leather stuff,car seats and canvas stuff, going to make a top sometime but busy with other stuff right now.