I dealt with the problem of an old, shrunken tonneau cover in a different
way. Number one, it isn't going to go back to its original size and will
always be a bear to fit. Number 2, there is a real danger of ripping it if
you persist in trying to stretch it enough to install it. The answer is to
make some extension tabs out of a tough material and some lift-the-dots. I
used a synthetic rubber gasket material which is used in natural gas
meters. It is black, smooth and very tough. I cut tabs about 3 inches by
1 1/4 inches and put a male lift-the-dot in one end and a female l-t-d in
the other. I used these tabs at the dash end of the tonneau cover which
allowed a snug fit while keeping the short end of the cover sheltered by
the windshield. Additionally, I made two more extensions using dome
fasteners to accommodate the snaps inside the windshield frame by the
doors. The result is a good fitting tonneau cover which is easier to
install than a shrunken one and which works equally well. I leave the tabs
attached to the tonneau when I remove it.
John McEwen
>Rather than stressing the dash pegs, I would worry more about tearing the
>fabric around the grommets in the tonneau if it is left in place and then
>contracts in the cold. When I tried to fit my new (to me) cover last
>spring, before the weather had warmed up, it would not fit. Come summer,
>all was fine.
>Rod. '70 TR6 CC55899L Edmonton, AB
>
>At 21:51 28-02-98 -0700, Peter Zaborski wrote:
>>
>>Joe,
>>
>>Thanks for this tip (you are actually the second one). I never thought
>>of it until you guys suggested it but of course it makes perfect sense.
>>If I have trouble with the cover in the warmer weather, I will
>>definitely give the hair dryer trick a try.
>>
>>One thing which puzzles me about all this "fitting" of tonneaus, what
>>kind of stress is imposed on the dash mounted pegs when a "stretched
>>with heat" cover begins to cool? Does the vinyl retain some of the
>>stretch in a more permanent way? If not I can envision the pegs being
>>over-stressed and then the dash gets the effect. Any opinions?
>>
>>Thanks as usual,
>>
>>Peter Zaborski
>>76 TR6 (CF58310 UO)
>>Calgary AB Canada
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joe Curry [SMTP:spitlist@gte.net]
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 1998 9:25 PM
>>> To: Peter Zaborski
>>> Cc: 'Robert Laing'; 'TR6 List'
>>> Subject: Re: tonneau cover
>>>
>>>
>>> Peter,
>>> If you don't want to wait until warmer weather, try using a portable
>>> hair dryer to warm the fabric. That's a trich that upholstery shops
>>> use
>>> to get that good tight finish on vinyl.
>>>
>>> Joe Curry
>>>
>>>
>>
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