Original Roof

[dean from bozeman]

Hello Fellow Model A'ers.

I asked this question on the early V-8 board but got no advice. Thought that I would try it here:

I have been lucky enough to find a nice original '36 Tudor. Through the years it has had a new coat of paint sprayed over the original but the original interior has survived and is still usable.

My question is: what could/should I put on the original cloth top to preserve it. I sure would hate to have it damaged by the sun after all these years. The material looks very similar to that on a Model A.

It's a car that I want to enjoy and not just keep prisoner in a garage. Yet I don't want to damage the original materials in and on it.

Thanks in advance.
Dean

[FrankWest]

This is what I use on my "original Roof?" 1933 fordor

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...er+dressing.do

[phonconn]

Dean,
There was a product called "top dressing" and I used to have some original bottles or cans of it but have since sold them off. It gave a rather leather like finish to the top material and I have had cars in the past that came to me with this dressing applied in years past. It keeps the material soft and pliable as well give it a coating of black something. Wish I had some of this left but went with some of the original chassis paint I had from collecting these past 40 years. If someone knew the composition of what was in that "top dressing" you might be well able to duplicate it.
Best,
Dan B

[160B]

I have used the Dupont THICKOTE TOP DRESSING on the original top on my 1931 160B. When I acquired the vehicle in 1998 it had a few leaks in the top fabric. I used the Dupont Top dressing and have not had any leaks since. I have driven the vehicle 30,000 miles in all weather conditions.

See attached photos of the top dressing can.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 160B

I have used the Dupont THICKOTE TOP DRESSING on the original top on my 1931 160B. When I acquired the vehicle in 1998 it had a few leaks in the top fabric. I used the Dupont Top dressing and have not had any leaks since. I have driven the vehicle 30,000 miles in all weather conditions.

See attached photos of the top dressing can.

Do they still make this or do we have to find new old stock?

[mhsprecher]

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It looks like you have to buy NOS. It appears it is not too difficult to find, based on a quick search.

[Chris Haynes]

There are a few NOS cans on eBay now. I just bought one. :-)

[30aadoodlebug]

Roofing sealer works great as well. That's what is on the roof of my 30 Tudor survivor, and haven't had a leak yet when caught in the rain a few times.

[dean from bozeman]

Chris, thanks for the headsup about the Dupont Thickote Top Dressing being on eBay. I, too, have bought a can. Hopefully this will protect the original top for the next 80 years.

[Vern]

Dean, where are the photos?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 160B

I have used the Dupont THICKOTE TOP DRESSING on the original top on my 1931 160B. When I acquired the vehicle in 1998 it had a few leaks in the top fabric. I used the Dupont Top dressing and have not had any leaks since. I have driven the vehicle 30,000 miles in all weather conditions.

See attached photos of the top dressing can.

Just to add information to this thread for the future, what has been used to thin the old stuff if needed?

[ronn]

only see one can left on ebay...............

hurry before it's gone!

[Bill Cilker]

I have used Dupont Thickote on the roof of my original Victoria and it did a good job. It does hide the grain of the original material.

[700rpm]

I have thought about renewing the top sealant on my 29 business coupe, but given that it is only a single thickness of fabric, I am concerned about the chemical odor permeating the interior of the car and making it unpleasant or even unhealthy. Can anyone advise me what they have used on older sport coupe and business coupe tops, and has odor been a problem?

[160B]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Just to add information to this thread for the future, what has been used to thin the old stuff if needed?

The instructions on the can state to use turpentine or turpentine substitute as a thinner.

[160B]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

I have thought about renewing the top sealant on my 29 business coupe, but given that it is only a single thickness of fabric, I am concerned about the chemical odor permeating the interior of the car and making it unpleasant or even unhealthy. Can anyone advise me what they have used on older sport coupe and business coupe tops, and has odor been a problem?

FYI
The instructions on the DuPont Thickote can states "Not for use on sport tops".

[mike657894]

Are you really sure that the roof is original. Take some photos and verify on the barn its the right original material. my car has been under cover in a garage verified since 1976. the car had one layer of paint over the ford paint that paint was painted over the canvas twice shellaced replacement roof cover. the blue metallic 50s paint crackled the shelac. the wood was sligthly soft in the nail channel so i had to use larger tacks and they didnt allow the use of the standard metal stip. so account for the tab if you redo your roof. it was easily remedied with some applied chrome strip but that wouldnt do for a judged car. My point being roofs got repaired during the first owners years on a lot of cars. You may be preserving an old cheap replacement.

side note: I did my roof in a pretty inexpensive quality marine grade black vinyl and it looks good. again not up to judging but the casual observer thinks its correct and looks great.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by mike657894

Are you really sure that the roof is original. Take some photos and verify on the barn its the right original material. my car has been under cover in a garage verified since 1976. the car had one layer of paint over the ford paint that paint was painted over the canvas twice shellaced replacement roof cover. the blue metallic 50s paint crackled the shelac. the wood was sligthly soft in the nail channel so i had to use larger tacks and they didnt allow the use of the standard metal stip. so account for the tab if you redo your roof. it was easily remedied with some applied chrome strip but that wouldnt do for a judged car. My point being roofs got repaired during the first owners years on a lot of cars. You may be preserving an old cheap replacement.

side note: I did my roof in a pretty inexpensive quality marine grade black vinyl and it looks good. again not up to judging but the casual observer thinks its correct and looks great.

No, I am certain that is not the original top material. But the complexity of removing that top with an original belly band on it makes sealant the only practical solution. The band is too delicate to remove and replace. I did that once, and was lucky. I wouldn't attempt it again.

[mike657894]

"dont cling to a mistake because you spent a long time making it." that is a good quote.

I did destroy the long band in doing my roof but it came off quick. but saved the front band.

[mike657894]

7$ a yard marine vinyl and shhhh. 9$ shipped from china what they call "panoplied of car" for the chrome strip. It wouldnt bend the 90s but laying it over and cutting a line where the opposing edges found their mitre on the rear corners left two small but very well matched seams.