triumphs
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TR] New TR6 top

To: dave <dave@ranteer.com>
Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top
From: David Friedlander <forzion7@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2020 12:58:10 -0500
Cc: TR3 Triumphs <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: triumphs@autox.team.net
References: <c1f90aae6b40d4080186aacf2d34c929@mail.gmail.com> <2097772506.2908184.1609260646853@mail.yahoo.com> <CAJ1eQwjK-E9_0=kCWDQJ=wqj=Af4wU-1TCeSv4A1ke8A-ezYMg@mail.gmail.com> <000001d6de0b$7c945230$75bcf690$@ranteer.com>
--===============1033989966344904658==

--000000000000d3831605b79e23a4
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I have had a Prestige Twilfast-canvas-type top for my TR6 for the last ten
+ years. It still looks and fits great! I had it professionally installed
and I've had zero regrets. Not sure how you can see the hoodstick through
the window....

Dave

On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 12:53 PM dave <dave@ranteer.com> wrote:

> I have a prestige top on my tr6 and I hate it.  it really is not the righ=
t
> size (too narrow) and the rear window is too large, so you can see the
> hoodstick through it
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
> *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
>
>
>
> At least the vinyl top has a plasticizer in it. Sunfast tops are NOT goin=
g
> 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 fitt=
ed
> one to a real TR3 so I don't know how they derive their patterns....
>
>
>
> Dave Friedlander
>
>
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:51 AM DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey@cs.com> wrote:
>
> The vinyl material used in tops is produced with a plasticizer which is a=
n
> 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 erec=
t,
> especially when cold.  When I rebuilt my TR6 in 1996 a friend gave me a t=
op
> that was sitting in his basement for 20-odd years (he bought it but his c=
ar
> 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 attribut=
e
> that to the fact that it wasn't stretchable when installed.
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> 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 da=
y
> 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.
>
>
>
> Or buy your top years before you install it.
>
>
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave MacKay <dave@mdmackay.ca>
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net
> 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.
>
>
>
> Like Bob with his TR6, my tonneau (and also a convertible top) is so tigh=
t
> 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.
>
>
>
> The top hasn=E2=80=99t stretched or loosened over time. If anything, it m=
ay have
> shrunk because it seems as hard or harder than ever to put on.
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> As always, particularly since you=E2=80=99re dealing with a TR6 not a TR3=
A, YMMV
>
>
>
> Good luck,
>
>
>
>
>
> ** triumphs@autox.team.net **
>
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs
> http://www.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com
>
> ** triumphs@autox.team.net **
>
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs
> http://www.team.net/archive
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com
>

--000000000000d3831605b79e23a4
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sa=
ns ms,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000099">I have had a Prestige Twilf=
ast-canvas-type=C2=A0top for my TR6 for the last ten + years. It still look=
s and fits great! I had it professionally installed and I&#39;ve had zero r=
egrets. Not sure how you can see the hoodstick through the window....</div>=
<div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;=
font-size:large;color:#000099"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=
=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#000099">Dav=
e</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail=
_attr">On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 12:53 PM dave &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:dave@ran=
teer.com">dave@ranteer.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gma=
il_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,2=
04,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"overflow-wrap: break=
-word;"><div class=3D"gmail-m_3077276246423130986WordSection1"><p class=3D"=
MsoNormal">I have a prestige top on my tr6 and I hate it.=C2=A0 it really i=
s not the right size (too narrow) and the rear window is too large, so you =
can see the hoodstick through it<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u=
></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">And, just half a dozen years f=
rom 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 w=
ould replace it<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u=
></p><div style=3D"border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;bo=
rder-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in"><p class=3D"MsoNor=
mal"><b>From:</b> Triumphs &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:triumphs-bounces@autox.tea=
m.net" target=3D"_blank">triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net</a>&gt; <b>On Beha=
lf Of </b>David Friedlander<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 29, 2020 11:0=
1 AM<br><b>To:</b> DAVID MASSEY &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:dave1massey@cs.com"; t=
arget=3D"_blank">dave1massey@cs.com</a>&gt;<br><b>Cc:</b> <a href=3D"mailto=
:triumphs@autox.team.net" target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a>; <a=
 href=3D"mailto:dave@mdmackay.ca"; target=3D"_blank">dave@mdmackay.ca</a><br=
><b>Subject:</b> Re: [TR] New TR6 top<u></u><u></u></p></div><p class=3D"Ms=
oNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span sty=
le=3D"font-size:18pt;font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,15=
3)">At least the vinyl top has a plasticizer in it. Sunfast tops are NOT go=
ing to stretch no matter what or when. When they&#39;re tight, they&#39;re =
tight. Not sure I understand why the various manufacturers don&#39;t try ou=
t their patterns on actual vehicles and adjust them, especially for when th=
ey use fabrics that don&#39;t stretch. I have a hoodstick cover from Presti=
ge 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&#39;t know how they derive their patterns....<u=
></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"fon=
t-size:18pt;font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,153)"><u></=
u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"=
font-size:18pt;font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;;color:rgb(0,0,153)">Da=
ve Friedlander<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><s=
pan style=3D"font-size:18pt;font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;;color:rgb=
(0,0,153)"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"=
><span style=3D"font-size:18pt;font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;;color:=
rgb(0,0,153)">Dave<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class=3D"MsoNorma=
l"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">On Tue, Dec 29,=
 2020 at 11:51 AM DAVID MASSEY &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:dave1massey@cs.com"; ta=
rget=3D"_blank">dave1massey@cs.com</a>&gt; wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></div><b=
lockquote style=3D"border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;bor=
der-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8=
pt;margin-right:0in"><div><div><div id=3D"gmail-m_3077276246423130986gmail-=
m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929"><div><div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=
<span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The=
 vinyl material used in tops is produced with a plasticizer which is an add=
itive that makes the vinyl soft, pliable and stretchable.=C2=A0 The problem=
 is this product is volatile and will dissipate over time making the top le=
ss and less stretchable.=C2=A0 If the top stretched whens installed (and in=
stallers don&#39;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.=C2=A0 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).=C2=A0 I had that top=
 installed and it was a dream to erect and fold the whole time I had it.=C2=
=A0 I attribute that to the fact that it wasn&#39;t stretchable when instal=
led.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u>=C2=A0<=
u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size=
:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">My advice is to get your to=
p installed when the weather is cold and the material is more resistant to =
stretching.=C2=A0 The installer will pre-stretch the top less and it will w=
ork better in the long run.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"=
MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color=
:black"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><s=
pan style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Here&=
#39;s another anecdote: I bought a tonneau for the TR3 which was, in my opi=
nion, cut about 1 inch too short.=C2=A0 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.=C2=A0 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.=C2=A0 I think the plasticizer has=
 dissipated and the top took a set in the stretched position.=C2=A0 So, thi=
s raises a question: What would happen if one slit some garden hose and pla=
ced it over the bows and left the top up with a little extra stretch.=C2=A0=
 After a while the top will take a set with extra slack, perhaps making it =
easier to put up.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"=
><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u=
></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Or buy your to=
p years before you install it.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;c=
olor:black"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal=
" style=3D"margin-bottom:12pt"><span style=3D"font-size:13.5pt;font-family:=
Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Dave </span><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;fon=
t-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div>=
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans=
-serif;color:black"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"M=
soNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:=
black"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div><div id=3D"gmail-m_307727624642=
3130986gmail-m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929yqtfd03937"><div><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"margin-bottom:12pt"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;f=
ont-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>From=
: Dave MacKay &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:dave@mdmackay.ca"; target=3D"_blank">dav=
e@mdmackay.ca</a>&gt;<br>To: <a href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team.net"; tar=
get=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a><br>Sent: Mon, Dec 28, 2020 4:41 =
pm<br>Subject: Re: [TR] New TR6 top<u></u><u></u></span></p><div id=3D"gmai=
l-m_3077276246423130986gmail-m_-4886593744213825898yiv8638386929"><div><div=
><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Aria=
l,sans-serif;color:black">I, too, have had problems with the Robbins tops a=
lthough my car is a TR3A, not a TR6.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p =
class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-se=
rif;color:black">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoN=
ormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:bla=
ck">Like Bob with his TR6, my tonneau (and also a convertible top) is so ti=
ght that I can only fit it with great effort even in warm sunny weather. Th=
e tonneau was installed by professional installers who complained about the=
 fit. Robbins was responsive when I complained. I even sent my previous ton=
neau to them so they could see what fit, but the replacement they sent me a=
fter that was no better.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"Mso=
Normal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:bl=
ack">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span=
 style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The top =
hasn=E2=80=99t stretched or loosened over time. If anything, it may have sh=
runk because it seems as hard or harder than ever to put on.<u></u><u></u><=
/span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;f=
ont-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span></p></d=
iv><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Ar=
ial,sans-serif;color:black">I would suggest having the top (tonneau or conv=
ertible) 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.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal=
"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">=
=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">As always, pa=
rticularly since you=E2=80=99re dealing with a TR6 not a TR3A, YMMV<u></u><=
u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size=
:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span>=
</p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-fa=
mily:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Good luck,<u></u><u></u></span></p></div=
><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Aria=
l,sans-serif;color:black">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><p class=3D"=
MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color=
:black"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>=
</div></div></div></div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">** <a href=3D"mailto:triumph=
s@autox.team.net" target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a> **<br><br>D=
onate: <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/pi=
permail/triumphs" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs<=
/a>=C2=A0 <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/archive"; target=3D"_blank">http://=
www.team.net/archive</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href=3D"http://autox=
.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">ht=
tp://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com</a><u></u><=
u></u></p></blockquote></div></div></div>** <a href=3D"mailto:triumphs@auto=
x.team.net" target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a> **<br>
<br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs"; rel=3D"noreferr=
er" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs</a>=C2=A0 <a h=
ref=3D"http://www.team.net/archive"; rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">ht=
tp://www.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
hs/forzion7@gmail.com" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.te=
am.net/mailman/options/triumphs/forzion7@gmail.com</a><br>
</blockquote></div>

--000000000000d3831605b79e23a4--

--===============1033989966344904658==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

** triumphs@autox.team.net **

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


--===============1033989966344904658==--

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>