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Making A White Soft Top

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by 1969jeepercj5, Jun 25, 2018.

  1. Jun 30, 2018
    1969jeepercj5

    1969jeepercj5 Member

    Roseburg Oregon
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2016
    Messages:
    86
    I agree you definitely have to be conscious of what materials you're using. I know vinyl fabric is in the PVC family which has been a heavy polluter for years now. I do believe they have gotten better at producing it with less pollution though. If making these soft tops turns into something more serious I will definitely look into more friendly faux leather substitutes. Its pretty crazy some of the materials they have now days. They have a "high end" faux leather made from the top leaves off pineapples. But definitely food for thought.
     
    Alan28 likes this.
  2. Jun 30, 2018
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Messages:
    204,347
    What type of zippers are you using?
     
    Alan28 likes this.
  3. Jun 30, 2018
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    If I can help, in my time the best zippers were the YKK; of course there are other makes and I am sure that in USA there are good producers;
    But these Japanese were producing top quality, which is difficult to see.
    About nature friendly products, that is difficult to choice. Animal fur is 'not friendly' but synthetic fur, which is very well made, is chemicals.
    I was reading a journal about Nature friendly houses, how to build, and according to my experience that is a little but childish.
    We cannot stop progress and technology but try to be more responsible.
    I worked also in the military field, and as you know there are some dangerous ideas.
    If investors, big money funds like pension funds, push in this way there will be less dangerous chemicals on the planet.
    It will take some time, this is just a beginning, we just understand the problems now and because there is no planet B solutions will come.

    For instance electric cars are good, production of electricity to supply millions cars is a problem; today.
     
  4. Jun 30, 2018
    1969jeepercj5

    1969jeepercj5 Member

    Roseburg Oregon
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2016
    Messages:
    86
    Well currently I've been using the heavy duty Jacket zippers from Wal-Mart.....:rofl:But I plan to use either heavy duty stainless steel or plastic zippers. Not sure of the brand.
     
  5. Jul 16, 2018
    1969jeepercj5

    1969jeepercj5 Member

    Roseburg Oregon
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2016
    Messages:
    86
    Ive been on a bit of a hiatus with the soft tops until more funds funnel through. But I had my first paying customer. He works with my girlfriends brother and found out I've been making (trying to) soft tops for jeeps, so he asked if I would make him a boat cover. So heres the almost finished product. I did call in the master aka my mom for help on this one though :lol:.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG] This is before I put stainless steel snaps all the way around. Found out the hard way I didn't have the proper tool for the more stout stainless steel though, and ended up breaking our handheld snap pliers.:steamed: And after installing 58 of those buggers you'd think I would have taken a picture of the finished product. But I neglected to. Hopefully I can get a completed shot before he comes and picks it up this Thursday.
     
  6. Jul 16, 2018
    1969jeepercj5

    1969jeepercj5 Member

    Roseburg Oregon
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2016
    Messages:
    86
    I ended up using a pretty heavy duty waterproof canvas. It was a knock off brand but its essentially the same product sailrite sells. The sunbrella canvas was $22.00 a yard so I opted for the off brand stuff and the customer was ok with that. The off brand was $8.99 a yard I believe, off Amazon. In the first pic you can see we backed up the outer edge with some left over white vinyl to sturdy it up where the snaps ended up going. Hopefully the customer will like it. I think I charged him a fair price. With materials and hardware I was into it close to $150.00 and Im charging him $300.00. I'm by no means a professional upholstery shop so at that price a few minor imperfections should be fine:)
     
  7. Jul 16, 2018
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    Now that your profitable, invest in the business and purchase a SnapRite tool. It’s expensive but it would have taken about 45min to install those snaps. Cover looks nice.
     
  8. Jul 17, 2018
    1969jeepercj5

    1969jeepercj5 Member

    Roseburg Oregon
    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2016
    Messages:
    86
    Thanks I'll definitely look into that.
     
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