Roof Covering

[KimVanOrder]

Short gain or Long Grain for the roof of a 1928 AA????

KVO

[1crosscut]

Long grain on my January 29.

[ModelAkid]

Judging Standards say all '28-31 trucks used the same top material: "Coarse long-short grain artificial leather".

[KimVanOrder]

Well that makes the decision as clear as mud. Course - short grain. ???? Is that either or? guidance please.

KVO

[Davekpt]

I called "Bert's" when I had the same question on my Aug. 29 AA. Talked to Steve, their AA guru, and got long grain. I ordered the fabric kit from them also. He will know the correct fabric for your 28.Their no. is 800-321-1931.

[1crosscut]

Is this the first roof install that you are doing? I've only done the one on my truck but I studied hard and it came out really nice. The biggest mistake I see folks doing is using far too much padding and allowing it to roll over the edges of the roof and down the sides. Doing so makes it look "poofy". Perhaps some like that kind of a look but to me one shouldn't see that there is padding under the material.
Lay the padding in place, cut to size of the top stopping just prior to rolling over and down the sides. Take a fine wire or nylon brush and feather the padding so it fades to a thin edge where it meets the outside edge of the roof. Also fill all of your bolt holes and any open joints with a wood filler. Sand ultra smooth as any defects in the wood will telegraph through.

[KimVanOrder]

Thanks Dave. That is very helpful. And yes this is my first AA. In the fabric ' kit' what is the inside / first layer that goes on the ribs?

KVO

[1crosscut]

1st layer on top of the roof ribs is a thin, somewhat stiff, durable cotton like material. Mine is a dark brown. Then padding followed by the long grain material.

[KimVanOrder]

Dave: Did all three layers come in a "kit" ? Or do I need to buy them individually?

[1crosscut]

The LeBaron kit I purchased had all three.

[Neil Wilson]

My guess is that any vendor roofing kit for the 82-A Closed Cab does not include the welt applied to the perimeter of the wood. Without this welt, the job will not look original.

I suggest looking at Marco's photos showing original and restoration photos of the 82-A roof. Check out http://abarnyard.com/temp/82-a/

The attached picture is one of Marco's - showing the welt referenced above.

[Davekpt]

The kit I got from " Berts" contained top material,padding,muslin lining,tacks,adhesive(sealer) and hidem welting and instructions. It is by Cartouche.

[Davekpt]

I need to correct, this kit came from Macs, the visor material, I got from Berts.

[1955cj-5]

Thanks for starting this thread!

I am about to recover my top....I've read the above posts and understand the assembly order of the fabric.

I've looked at all Marco's pictures but can't really tell the layering at the edge........

Around the edge, when you fasten the material, do you place the beaded welt first, against the wood, with the long grain cobra second, and the hide-em welt last?

Or, is the order cobra material against the wood, beaded welt, and hide-em last?

My old welting material was long gone and had been replaced by an aluminum strip..oh and the old top was chicken wire, then bed sheet, old blanket third, and grained vinyl on top! Looked ok though...it had been on there a very long time......

Thanks,

Randy

[KimVanOrder]

You are asking all the correct questions. I don't know the answers and am also looking for the " definitive " answer. How was it when it came out of the factory. Not " this is how dd it " That is good but.... Just one of many solutions. Many look good "BUT"


KVO