The Ford Barn

Flat32 · 03-13-2012, 12:38 AM

About to start up my newly rebuilt engine and want to break it in with driving loads on it except it's raining and another day predicted. Sort of does that in the Seattle area.

I'm looking for a rain hat for the roadster top. Does anyone make such a thing??

I really don't know how water proof or resistant the cloth top is and I don't want to go getting it soaking wet. What I have in mind is a vinyl cover with a narrow pocket to go over the front top lip and means to attach to existing top pins at the rear. Quick on, quick off and a storage dust cover as well. Hopefully it would have drop down side curtains done in clear. I can see it in my head.

Does it exist or not? If so Who has it?

Thanks for all your help.

Ray

J Franklin · 03-13-2012, 12:46 AM

Just find some waterproofing agent at your local sporting goods store and make your top weather protected.

real550A · 03-13-2012, 06:18 AM

Think like a roofer... the blue tarp won't be very stylish, but you'll get your engine
broken in.
p.s. They make 'em in camo and silver, too!

CarlG · 03-13-2012, 10:35 AM

I didn't know that Seattle (constant rain) and Roadster (open car) were compatable

Huckster Dave · 03-13-2012, 11:06 AM

Better send that roadster to me in Montana for an extensive break in period. :-)

kp · 03-13-2012, 11:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm with Huckster Dave : send it down here to Texas ,we will break it in for ya. But I would wait till the rain stops ,Friend of mine had a roadster and he complained bout the rain and wind of winter too.

darrylkmc · 03-13-2012, 11:43 AM

I never seem to notice the rain or the cold at all while I am driving my Phaeton...
I only notice it when I stop.
Darryl in Fairbanks -16 F.

Clydes 31 P/U · 03-13-2012, 12:02 PM

Flat32, On my modern convertible I use a spray from RaggTopp on the cloth top. I got it on line. Just for what its worth, Clyde

Pete · 03-13-2012, 12:20 PM

That spray stuff works good.
I drove this to Snoqualamie skiing many times.
Much rain and snow.

bobpo · 03-13-2012, 02:17 PM

I have lot's of room left in my 26 car garage. AND, I would even give it a work out once in a while. I would promise not to drive it in the rain or snow or when there's salt on the road.

ALL YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IT SHIP IT HERE, INSURE IT AND I'LL EVEN TAKE CARE OF THE GAS IN THE TANK.

BTW, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVING INSURANCE, JUST IN CASE I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE IT ONCE IN A WHILE.

Huckster Dave · 03-13-2012, 04:54 PM

Hey I offered first!

Purdy Swoft · 03-13-2012, 05:14 PM

Deb and I have got caught in storms twice in our roadster one was at night and we drove in the rain for probably forty miles. Needless to say, we got soaked to the skin. I don't have side curtains. The top on mine is a used one that I bought on eBay. The roof is canvas and I don't believe that it leaked. The rain was really coming in the sides.

mass A man · 03-13-2012, 05:48 PM

A beautiful Model A, Purdy Swoft, I drove a '27 Packard roadster in the pouring rain many years ago, It had a black canvas top, no waterproof dressing, NO leaks. and it was old, but good shape. I did have the side curtains on. My right foot got soaked from the water pouring down through the top cowl vent. Has anyone ever noticed in the old, vintage photo's, the roadsters always had some of their side curtains on? Usually the little 1/4 curtains. ANYWAY, I say to Flat32... Go for it in the rain if you want to drive your roadster! Forget the "envelope".

bobpo · 03-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobpo

I have lot's of room left in my 26 car garage. AND, I would even give it a work out once in a while. I would promise not to drive it in the rain or snow or when there's salt on the road.

ALL YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IT SHIP IT HERE, INSURE IT AND I'LL EVEN TAKE CARE OF THE GAS IN THE TANK.

BTW, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVING INSURANCE, JUST IN CASE I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE IT ONCE IN A WHILE.

Purdy, the above offer goes for you with your Roadster too....

Frank Miller · 03-13-2012, 08:00 PM

If you have a Haartz cloth top it is rated to not leak under 60 feet of water. That's about 27psi. just had a tour of the factory about 3 weeks ago and that was one of the things they told us.

Flat32 · 03-13-2012, 09:05 PM

Managed to get in a trip around the block between rain showers. Top is tan cloth and I did a little test with a glass of water. Initially it seems to bead and roll off, but it also soaks up some leaving a darker wet spot.

If I were to try some kind of water proofing treatment like Scotch guard what would be the best way to clean it first??

Ray

montanafordman · 03-13-2012, 09:17 PM

I would just wipe it with a damp cloth if it doesn't look too dirty, you can probably just use Camp Dry from wholesale sports or big five etc. Sprays on and works great with canvas tents, boots, backpacts or whatever you use it with. Also I sent you a PM. Have fun with the roadster!

antiquepa · 03-13-2012, 11:01 PM

I belive its called kanvac [canvack] it for tents or canvas tops, can be bought at cabellas sporting outdoor stores or other sporting stores, type in your address bar and you can read about it, used on my top, it works, can be sprayed or put on with brush, i beleive it to be around $40.00 a gal, goes a long way!! I bought it several years ago.

dumb person · 03-14-2012, 02:39 AM

Drove a car with woolbale sacks for a roof in heavy rain once. It only leaks when you are stopped. My point being canvas with a waterproofing should be ok for most weather.

roadster31 · 03-14-2012, 04:26 AM

Purdy, nice 30 roadster. I've had two of them, there is something about a nice roadster -- fun to drive or just sit and look at. I'm working on a late 31 right now that I hope to get on the road this year -- you notice I didn't say finish. My wife and I took the roadster out on a beautiful spring day, west on INT 90 about 60 miles from home, visited some friends and headed back. The wind had switched from the north blowing hard, the temp dropped to the 30's, Betty looked at me and said "can we get something with some windows in it"? We bought a nice 31 Towne Sedan, nice car, nice ride but it wasn't the same. I haven't driven a Model A in so long I'm starting to get the shakes -- over a year! Regards, Roadster31

03-13-2012, 12:38 AM	#1
Flat32 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 95	Roadster in the rain About to start up my newly rebuilt engine and want to break it in with driving loads on it except it's raining and another day predicted. Sort of does that in the Seattle area. I'm looking for a rain hat for the roadster top. Does anyone make such a thing?? I really don't know how water proof or resistant the cloth top is and I don't want to go getting it soaking wet. What I have in mind is a vinyl cover with a narrow pocket to go over the front top lip and means to attach to existing top pins at the rear. Quick on, quick off and a storage dust cover as well. Hopefully it would have drop down side curtains done in clear. I can see it in my head. Does it exist or not? If so Who has it? Thanks for all your help. Ray

03-13-2012, 12:46 AM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Roadster in the rain Just find some waterproofing agent at your local sporting goods store and make your top weather protected.

03-13-2012, 06:18 AM	#3
real550A Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Branch, MN. Posts: 161	Re: Roadster in the rain Think like a roofer... the blue tarp won't be very stylish, but you'll get your engine broken in. p.s. They make 'em in camo and silver, too! __________________ Mike B. Model A's and Porsches since 1957

03-13-2012, 10:35 AM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Roadster in the rain I didn't know that Seattle (constant rain) and Roadster (open car) were compatable

03-13-2012, 11:06 AM	#5
Huckster Dave Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ronan, Montana Posts: 158	Re: Roadster in the rain Better send that roadster to me in Montana for an extensive break in period. :-) Last edited by Huckster Dave; 03-13-2012 at 11:07 AM. Reason: spelling error

03-13-2012, 11:13 AM	#6
kp Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wimberley ,Tx. Posts: 232	Re: Roadster in the rain Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm with Huckster Dave : send it down here to Texas ,we will break it in for ya. But I would wait till the rain stops ,Friend of mine had a roadster and he complained bout the rain and wind of winter too.

03-13-2012, 11:43 AM	#7
darrylkmc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 767	Re: Roadster in the rain I never seem to notice the rain or the cold at all while I am driving my Phaeton... I only notice it when I stop. Darryl in Fairbanks -16 F.

03-13-2012, 12:02 PM	#8
Clydes 31 P/U Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: northern Il Posts: 302	Re: Roadster in the rain Flat32, On my modern convertible I use a spray from RaggTopp on the cloth top. I got it on line. Just for what its worth, Clyde

03-13-2012, 02:17 PM	#10
bobpo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 556	Re: Roadster in the rain I have lot's of room left in my 26 car garage. AND, I would even give it a work out once in a while. I would promise not to drive it in the rain or snow or when there's salt on the road. ALL YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IT SHIP IT HERE, INSURE IT AND I'LL EVEN TAKE CARE OF THE GAS IN THE TANK. BTW, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVING INSURANCE, JUST IN CASE I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE IT ONCE IN A WHILE.

03-13-2012, 04:54 PM	#11
Huckster Dave Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ronan, Montana Posts: 158	Re: Roadster in the rain Hey I offered first!

03-13-2012, 05:14 PM	#12
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Roadster in the rain Deb and I have got caught in storms twice in our roadster one was at night and we drove in the rain for probably forty miles. Needless to say, we got soaked to the skin. I don't have side curtains. The top on mine is a used one that I bought on eBay. The roof is canvas and I don't believe that it leaked. The rain was really coming in the sides.

03-13-2012, 05:48 PM	#13
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: Roadster in the rain A beautiful Model A, Purdy Swoft, I drove a '27 Packard roadster in the pouring rain many years ago, It had a black canvas top, no waterproof dressing, NO leaks. and it was old, but good shape. I did have the side curtains on. My right foot got soaked from the water pouring down through the top cowl vent. Has anyone ever noticed in the old, vintage photo's, the roadsters always had some of their side curtains on? Usually the little 1/4 curtains. ANYWAY, I say to Flat32... Go for it in the rain if you want to drive your roadster! Forget the "envelope".

03-13-2012, 08:00 PM	#15
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Roadster in the rain If you have a Haartz cloth top it is rated to not leak under 60 feet of water. That's about 27psi. just had a tour of the factory about 3 weeks ago and that was one of the things they told us. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

03-13-2012, 09:05 PM	#16
Flat32 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 95	Re: Roadster in the rain Managed to get in a trip around the block between rain showers. Top is tan cloth and I did a little test with a glass of water. Initially it seems to bead and roll off, but it also soaks up some leaving a darker wet spot. If I were to try some kind of water proofing treatment like Scotch guard what would be the best way to clean it first?? Ray

03-13-2012, 09:17 PM	#17
montanafordman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Meridian, ID Posts: 568	Re: Roadster in the rain I would just wipe it with a damp cloth if it doesn't look too dirty, you can probably just use Camp Dry from wholesale sports or big five etc. Sprays on and works great with canvas tents, boots, backpacts or whatever you use it with. Also I sent you a PM. Have fun with the roadster!

03-13-2012, 11:01 PM	#18
antiquepa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: wheeling west virginia Posts: 231	Re: Roadster in the rain I belive its called kanvac [canvack] it for tents or canvas tops, can be bought at cabellas sporting outdoor stores or other sporting stores, type in your address bar and you can read about it, used on my top, it works, can be sprayed or put on with brush, i beleive it to be around $40.00 a gal, goes a long way!! I bought it several years ago.

03-14-2012, 02:39 AM	#19
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Roadster in the rain Drove a car with woolbale sacks for a roof in heavy rain once. It only leaks when you are stopped. My point being canvas with a waterproofing should be ok for most weather.

03-14-2012, 04:26 AM	#20
roadster31 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 68	Re: Roadster in the rain Purdy, nice 30 roadster. I've had two of them, there is something about a nice roadster -- fun to drive or just sit and look at. I'm working on a late 31 right now that I hope to get on the road this year -- you notice I didn't say finish. My wife and I took the roadster out on a beautiful spring day, west on INT 90 about 60 miles from home, visited some friends and headed back. The wind had switched from the north blowing hard, the temp dropped to the 30's, Betty looked at me and said "can we get something with some windows in it"? We bought a nice 31 Towne Sedan, nice car, nice ride but it wasn't the same. I haven't driven a Model A in so long I'm starting to get the shakes -- over a year! Regards, Roadster31