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Rich99
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2008
Posts: 22
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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 Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:46 pm Post subject: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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I have the issue that the Haartz canvas roof has shrunk in the time it has taken to carry out the resto. My local trim shop, who have admitted to never having done one before says it is junk and needs to be replaced.
Does anyone know if there is a way to stretch out the canvas and would need to be some considerable stretch, probably 2" in total? I have heard of applying boiling water to towels and placing them on the roof and massaging it back. Has anyone ever heard of this or better yet, tried it? Apart from the cost involved, the hood itself is mint, no rips, tears or discolouration.
If I do need to replace the roof, who does the best quality replacement? TMI, Sewfine, any strong opinions? If you are in the UK, can you recommend a stockist as VW Heritage are showing a six week order time and I was hoping to get it done for Volks World (I'm an optimist).
Thanks in advance! |
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c21darrel
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Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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malley56
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2006
Posts: 255
Location: Martinsville, VA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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What Darrell said... Plus it's probably not shrank 2 inches. It just needs to stretch that far.
I found a clothes steamer worked great with a full heavy bucket for weight on the header bow. Wait till a nice warm sunny day and pull it outside.. |
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Rich99
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2008
Posts: 22
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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| Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:39 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| Thanks for the replies guys, I will give it a go. The only flaw in the answers is this sunny day thing. I live in England so what exactly is that again? |
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kman
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Joined: November 04, 2005
Posts: 739
Location: Michigan
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swavananda
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2009
Posts: 889
Location: Can o' Scruz
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| Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:44 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| kman wrote: |
| You may have to adjust the cables. |
Since this is the late 69, you can get a little more play by loosening the rear lip cable and pulling out a bit more fabric from the recess. With top up, get access by removing the Phillips screws that’s securing the headliner to the frame just next to the door glass . This will open a flap enough to work on the cables tension . This is what you’re looking for. The 10mm jam nuts.
You may then have to loosen the cable around the rear window opening as well. |
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c21darrel
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2009
Posts: 8211
Location: San Dimas
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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The aussie Trimmer
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Joined: July 05, 2006
Posts: 385
Location: Western Australia
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| Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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That's right Dave; you should never leave the top down for any length of time.
Drop the top down and enjoy the clean air; but when you return the car to the garage, the top must be locked in the up position.
If you can't lock the top in the locked position; wet the top and place a weight "carefully" on the header bow and park it in the sun until it stretches into the locked. This may take a few tries to get it to close.
And next time; don't leave the top down overnight, especially if it's wet or humid.
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Kev.
Drive with your lights on (Be aware be seen) help others GIVE Blood |
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sputnick60
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Joined: July 22, 2007
Posts: 3916
Location: In Molinya Orbit
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John Moxon 
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Joined: March 07, 2004
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Location: Southampton U.K.
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paul_round
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2014
Posts: 502
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:30 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| I can certainly attest to the top shrinking if left down to long. Mine has on occasions been down for several weeks at a time and was a real struggle to fasten up afterwards, I even had to resort to my son lying on top of it! |
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Rich99
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2008
Posts: 22
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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With the added ventilation and the ability of the water to ingress at lots of different points, the BBC weather app has been very handy John. Mine has been out twice, one of which was to the trimmers.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure it was down quite so much as off! I am going to try the fix and see what happens but the gaps in the two bottom rear quarters of the are massive but perhaps coaxing the material backwards as well as forwards may help somewhat. Nothing lost for having a go!
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c21darrel
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Joined: January 22, 2009
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Location: San Dimas
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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John Moxon
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Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 13955
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:05 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| Rich99 wrote: |
With the added ventilation and the ability of the water to ingress at lots of different points, the BBC weather app has been very handy John. Mine has been out twice, one of which was to the trimmers.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure it was down quite so much as off! I am going to try the fix and see what happens but the gaps in the two bottom rear quarters of the are massive but perhaps coaxing the material backwards as well as forwards may help somewhat. Nothing lost for having a go! |
Might want to get advice from another trimmer on whether your hood can be saved. Give "Wessex Car Trimmers" a call here in Southampton Rich...long established and well respected. Always good to have a second opinion: http://www.wessex-cartrimming.co.uk/car-trimming
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Rich99
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2008
Posts: 22
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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Thanks John, I will give them a call during the week.
The car was registered in October 69, hence my calling it a 69.5 but yes, a 1970 model year. |
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swavananda
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Joined: February 14, 2009
Posts: 889
Location: Can o' Scruz
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| Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| On a side note, it looks like the head lights are protruding a good 10mm out from where they should be. You should address this with the shop ASAP. Otherwise looks nice . |
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Rich99
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2008
Posts: 22
Location: Portsmouth, UK
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:53 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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| swavananda wrote: |
| On a side note, it looks like the head lights are protruding a good 10mm out from where they should be. You should address this with the shop ASAP. Otherwise looks nice . |
Thank you. I will get them to check but have a feeling it is to do with the angulation required for them to pass our MOT and the car being left hand drive. |
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NOVA Airhead
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Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 5221
Location: Richmond, VA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:47 am Post subject: Re: 69.5 Convertible Roof has shrunk |
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I would try stretching it a bit. Direct sunlight is your best bet but until you can get that I would suggest backing the J hooks where the top latches to the header out as far as possible. If you can get that hooked then leave it sit for a few days. Turn them in a little very few days, hook and see if that helps.
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