Help with T-Top canvas replacement/installation?

[Skunked]

I have the canvas. Just looking for info on stretching the canvas and cutting the holes in the canvas to run the wires from radar, gps and vhf antennas. I had found a great article on the net, but can't seem to find it again. Any help would be great.

[Ruger314]

I would wait(if your can)to get warmer temps. so the material will strech easy.. as far has cutting the material call a local shop for advice.. They may suggest sewing in back square on the area you're going to cut, to keep from opening further??

Joe

[Skunked]

I do plan on waiting until it gets a bit warmer. I also think I had read somewhere to wet it to help stretch it.

[Hotrod]

You may want to recheck that..  I recall trying to snap my older boats canvas on wet and had a hell of a time..  Now I could be wrong..  But I think water shrinks canvas.

Anyone?

[Great Bay Junky]

I think trying to stretch canvas is kind of silly. It is more plyable when it is warm but to stretch it is something else.

[ped579]

I am not an expert at working with T-Tops and such.  But I do work with canvas everyday.  I am an artist who uses stretched canvas a lot.  You probably do not want to wet it to stretch it that usually will tighten it.

If it is a cotton type product it will shrink and stretch on its own to help it do this would not be wise.  Over time my canvases stretch on their own and I have to use shims to tighten so when you lace it to the tubing it is ok if it is a little short you can always tighten up the lacing later.  If it is too lose it might be the wrong size for your application and I would take it back.

If you have to measure it I would measure it on the inside of the tubing and maybe subtract a 1/2 an inch this way the lacing has room to be tightened when it stretches.

I hope this helps.

[ped579]

I forgot about the holes for the wiring.  I would look for grommets big enough to pass the wire and connectors through, even if you had to have a couple of them at least you could put them where you want them.  Check any good hardware store they will probably have what you want.

[Skunked]

Thanks for the info.