The Ford Barn

daveymc29 · 07-12-2019, 08:59 AM

My friend has just acquired a 31 cabriolet that looks very nicely restored with one noticeable exception. The top has a deep sag in it to the point it would become a dish if parked out in a rainstorm, I presume that a large cat or opossum may have found that a comfortable hammock for the winter. So now is it possible to shrink that material to tighten it up? Seems that someplace I read or heard that a good upholstery shop could steam shrink some pieces to make them tight or remove wrinkles. Anyone know of a way to proceed?

Thanks in advance for any clues.
Dave the "Ace upholsterer, Not."

john in illinois · 07-12-2019, 04:53 PM

I think it depends on what the top is made out of. Fabric or vinyl.

John

California Travieso · 07-12-2019, 05:25 PM

I believe upholstery shops steam material before installation to make it more pliable. I don't think steaming will shrink it, its more likely to expand it. You should check with an upholstery shop to make sure.

David Serrano

woofa.express · 07-12-2019, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Travieso

I believe upholstery shops steam material before installation to make it more pliable. I don't think steaming will shrink it, its more likely to expand it. You should check with an upholstery shop to make sure.

David Serrano

My 28 ute has a tight canvas but flutters badly when a passing truck especially in high wind buffets. I put a piece of 3 ply in the forward section which has reduced it. I now plan to use fairly high density foam and glue it to the canvas. This I think and hope will eliminate the annoying problem.

Synchro909 · 07-12-2019, 05:58 PM

Dave, I haven't paid attention to how the top is done on those but I expect that the top piece is put on after the back is and they are independantly secured to the rearmost bow. The fix will be to detach the top across the back (leaving the back panel in place and with special pliers (rounded nose so they don't tear the material), pull the slack out of the top by pulling backwards. Start at the center and work outwards, reattaching as you go. On my Phaeton, I got it tight by taking it up by only about 1/2". That top will require less than that.
PM me if I can explain it more.

ronn · 07-12-2019, 06:30 PM

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if its fabric, why cant it be "doped"?

daveymc29 · 07-12-2019, 11:02 PM

I think the answer for this one will be to get it over to Marco and have him do his magic. He is close by and the car is not too far off from show quality. Of course that thought is from a quick look without a lot of knowledge about the nuances of the late cabriolet. I have never "really" looked one over and didn't check the standards. We just looked at what was delivered earlier in the day and I was in a bit of a hurry to get IV's running for the night.

the Ace Doctor, Dave

07-12-2019, 08:59 AM	#1
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,553	Canvas top too loose My friend has just acquired a 31 cabriolet that looks very nicely restored with one noticeable exception. The top has a deep sag in it to the point it would become a dish if parked out in a rainstorm, I presume that a large cat or opossum may have found that a comfortable hammock for the winter. So now is it possible to shrink that material to tighten it up? Seems that someplace I read or heard that a good upholstery shop could steam shrink some pieces to make them tight or remove wrinkles. Anyone know of a way to proceed? Thanks in advance for any clues. Dave the "Ace upholsterer, Not."

07-12-2019, 04:53 PM	#2
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Canvas top too loose I think it depends on what the top is made out of. Fabric or vinyl. John __________________ Welcome each day

07-12-2019, 05:25 PM	#3
California Travieso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 945	Re: Canvas top too loose I believe upholstery shops steam material before installation to make it more pliable. I don't think steaming will shrink it, its more likely to expand it. You should check with an upholstery shop to make sure. David Serrano

07-12-2019, 05:58 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Canvas top too loose Dave, I haven't paid attention to how the top is done on those but I expect that the top piece is put on after the back is and they are independantly secured to the rearmost bow. The fix will be to detach the top across the back (leaving the back panel in place and with special pliers (rounded nose so they don't tear the material), pull the slack out of the top by pulling backwards. Start at the center and work outwards, reattaching as you go. On my Phaeton, I got it tight by taking it up by only about 1/2". That top will require less than that. PM me if I can explain it more. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

07-12-2019, 06:30 PM	#6
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,785	Re: Canvas top too loose Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) if its fabric, why cant it be "doped"?

07-12-2019, 11:02 PM	#7
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,553	Re: Canvas top too loose I think the answer for this one will be to get it over to Marco and have him do his magic. He is close by and the car is not too far off from show quality. Of course that thought is from a quick look without a lot of knowledge about the nuances of the late cabriolet. I have never "really" looked one over and didn't check the standards. We just looked at what was delivered earlier in the day and I was in a bit of a hurry to get IV's running for the night. the Ace Doctor, Dave