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Re: [TR] New TR6 top

To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top
From: "dave" <dave@ranteer.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2020 11:53:16 -0600
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Delivered-to: triumphs@autox.team.net
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I have a prestige top on my tr6 and I hate it.  it really is not the =
right size (too narrow) and the rear window is too large, so you can see =
the hoodstick through it

=20

And, just half a dozen years from having it installed, there are glued =
portions that have become unglued.  Its really awful, and if my options =
weren=E2=80=99t so expensive I would replace it

=20

From: Triumphs <triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net> On Behalf Of David =
Friedlander
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 11:01 AM
To: DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey@cs.com>
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net; dave@mdmackay.ca
Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top

=20

At least the vinyl top has a plasticizer in it. Sunfast tops are NOT =
going to stretch no matter what or when. When they're tight, they're =
tight. Not sure I understand why the various manufacturers don't try out =
their patterns on actual vehicles and adjust them, especially for when =
they use fabrics that don't stretch. I have a hoodstick cover from =
Prestige in the UK and have had a real challenge to get it to stretch to =
fit the lift-the-dot fasteners properly. The manufacturer has never =
actually fitted one to a real TR3 so I don't know how they derive their =
patterns....

=20

Dave Friedlander

=20

Dave

=20

On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:51 AM DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey@cs.com =

The vinyl material used in tops is produced with a plasticizer which is =
an additive that makes the vinyl soft, pliable and stretchable.  The =
problem is this product is volatile and will dissipate over time making =
the top less and less stretchable.  If the top stretched whens installed =
(and installers don't like wrinkles and the easiest way to remove =
wrinkles is the stretch the top to remove them) it will become more =
difficult to erect, especially when cold.  When I rebuilt my TR6 in 1996 =
a friend gave me a top that was sitting in his basement for 20-odd years =
(he bought it but his car was totaled before he could get it installed). =
 I had that top installed and it was a dream to erect and fold the whole =
time I had it.  I attribute that to the fact that it wasn't stretchable =
when installed.

=20

My advice is to get your top installed when the weather is cold and the =
material is more resistant to stretching.  The installer will =
pre-stretch the top less and it will work better in the long run.

=20

Here's another anecdote: I bought a tonneau for the TR3 which was, in my =
opinion, cut about 1 inch too short.  I installed the Lift-A-Dot snaps =
as close to the edges as I could but still could only install it on a =
hot day in the sun.  Since this car lives mostly in the garage the =
tonneau is virtually permanently installed and over the years as the =
cover gets less stretchy it has become easier to install.  I think the =
plasticizer has dissipated and the top took a set in the stretched =
position.  So, this raises a question: What would happen if one slit =
some garden hose and placed it over the bows and left the top up with a =
little extra stretch.  After a while the top will take a set with extra =
slack, perhaps making it easier to put up.

=20

Or buy your top years before you install it.

=20

Dave=20

=20

=20

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Mon, Dec 28, 2020 4:41 pm
Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top

I, too, have had problems with the Robbins tops although my car is a =
TR3A, not a TR6.

=20

Like Bob with his TR6, my tonneau (and also a convertible top) is so =
tight that I can only fit it with great effort even in warm sunny =
weather. The tonneau was installed by professional installers who =
complained about the fit. Robbins was responsive when I complained. I =
even sent my previous tonneau to them so they could see what fit, but =
the replacement they sent me after that was no better.

=20

The top hasn=E2=80=99t stretched or loosened over time. If anything, it =
may have shrunk because it seems as hard or harder than ever to put on.

=20

I would suggest having the top (tonneau or convertible) made by your =
installer so that you get a good fit. That would have been cheaper for =
me than buying the Robbins tonneau and having to pay for two =
installations.

=20

As always, particularly since you=E2=80=99re dealing with a TR6 not a =
TR3A, YMMV

=20

Good luck,

=20

=20


Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs  =

http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com


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vlink=3Dpurple style=3D'word-wrap:break-word'><div =
class=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal>I have a prestige top on my =
tr6 and I hate it.=C2=A0 it really is not the right size (too narrow) =
and the rear window is too large, so you can see the hoodstick through =
it<o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><p =
class=3DMsoNormal>And, just half a dozen years from having it installed, =
there are glued portions that have become unglued.=C2=A0 Its really =
awful, and if my options weren=E2=80=99t so expensive I would replace =
it<o:p></o:p></p><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div =
style=3D'border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in =
0in 0in'><p class=3DMsoNormal><b>From:</b> Triumphs =
&lt;triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net&gt; <b>On Behalf Of </b>David =
Friedlander<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 29, 2020 11:01 =
AM<br><b>To:</b> DAVID MASSEY &lt;dave1massey@cs.com&gt;<br><b>Cc:</b> =
triumphs@autox.team.net; dave@mdmackay.ca<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [TR] =
New TR6 top<o:p></o:p></p></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Comic =
Sans MS";color:#000099'>At least the vinyl top has a plasticizer in it. =
Sunfast tops are NOT going to stretch no matter what or when. When =
they're tight, they're tight. Not sure I understand why the various =
manufacturers don't try out their patterns on actual vehicles and adjust =
them, especially for when they use fabrics that don't stretch. I have a =
hoodstick cover from Prestige in the UK and have had a real challenge to =
get it to stretch to fit the lift-the-dot fasteners properly. The =
manufacturer has never actually fitted one to a real TR3 so I don't know =
how they derive their patterns....<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Comic =
Sans MS";color:#000099'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Comic =
Sans MS";color:#000099'>Dave =
Friedlander<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans =
MS";color:#000099'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Comic =
Sans MS";color:#000099'>Dave<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p><div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal>On =
Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:51 AM DAVID MASSEY &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:dave1massey@cs.com";>dave1massey@cs.com</a>&gt; =
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote =
style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in =
6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><div =
id=3D"gmail-m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929"><div><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The=
 vinyl material used in tops is produced with a plasticizer which is an =
additive that makes the vinyl soft, pliable and stretchable.&nbsp; The =
problem is this product is volatile and will dissipate over time making =
the top less and less stretchable.&nbsp; If the top stretched whens =
installed (and installers don't like wrinkles and the easiest way to =
remove wrinkles is the stretch the top to remove them) it will become =
more difficult to erect, especially when cold.&nbsp; When I rebuilt my =
TR6 in 1996 a friend gave me a top that was sitting in his basement for =
20-odd years (he bought it but his car was totaled before he could get =
it installed).&nbsp; I had that top installed and it was a dream to =
erect and fold the whole time I had it.&nbsp; I attribute that to the =
fact that it wasn't stretchable when =
installed.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>My =
advice is to get your top installed when the weather is cold and the =
material is more resistant to stretching.&nbsp; The installer will =
pre-stretch the top less and it will work better in the long =
run.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Her=
e's another anecdote: I bought a tonneau for the TR3 which was, in my =
opinion, cut about 1 inch too short.&nbsp; I installed the Lift-A-Dot =
snaps as close to the edges as I could but still could only install it =
on a hot day in the sun.&nbsp; Since this car lives mostly in the garage =
the tonneau is virtually permanently installed and over the years as the =
cover gets less stretchy it has become easier to install.&nbsp; I think =
the plasticizer has dissipated and the top took a set in the stretched =
position.&nbsp; So, this raises a question: What would happen if one =
slit some garden hose and placed it over the bows and left the top up =
with a little extra stretch.&nbsp; After a while the top will take a set =
with extra slack, perhaps making it easier to put =
up.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Or =
buy your top years before you install =
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span =
style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dav=
e </span><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div><div =
id=3D"gmail-m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929yqtfd03937"><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>---=
--Original Message-----<br>From: Dave MacKay &lt;<a =
href=3D"mailto:dave@mdmackay.ca"; =
target=3D"_blank">dave@mdmackay.ca</a>&gt;<br>To: <a =
href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team.net"; =
target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a><br>Sent: Mon, Dec 28, 2020 =
4:41 pm<br>Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top<o:p></o:p></span></p><div =
id=3D"gmail-m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929"><div><div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I, =
too, have had problems with the Robbins tops although my car is a TR3A, =
not a TR6.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Lik=
e Bob with his TR6, my tonneau (and also a convertible top) is so tight =
that I can only fit it with great effort even in warm sunny weather. The =
tonneau was installed by professional installers who complained about =
the fit. Robbins was responsive when I complained. I even sent my =
previous tonneau to them so they could see what fit, but the replacement =
they sent me after that was no =
better.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The=
 top hasn=E2=80=99t stretched or loosened over time. If anything, it may =
have shrunk because it seems as hard or harder than ever to put =
on.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>I =
would suggest having the top (tonneau or convertible) made by your =
installer so that you get a good fit. That would have been cheaper for =
me than buying the Robbins tonneau and having to pay for two =
installations.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>As =
always, particularly since you=E2=80=99re dealing with a TR6 not a TR3A, =
YMMV<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Goo=
d luck,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>&nb=
sp;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=3DMsoNormal><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:=
p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>=
</div></div><p class=3DMsoNormal>** <a =
href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team.net"; =
target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a> **<br><br>Donate: <a =
href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html"; =
target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Archive: <a =
href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs"; =
target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs</a>&nbsp; <a =
href=3D"http://www.team.net/archive"; =
target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/archive</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Mana=
ge: <a =
href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com=
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@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>
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