Canvas and Springs

John S · Sep 19, 2018

After a great summer with the canvas top it's definitely time to get the hard top on. Bloody weather! It feels like autumn and can't get a weather window to do the change. Also got to start front suspension replacement; not looking forward it in this ****ty weather. I'd like to keep it canvas but no garage to protect it from the weather. Driving around in the heatwave was fantastic, kinda takes it back to basics- less is more. Meanwhile onto the suspension

kevstar · Sep 19, 2018

Can you not get a cheap gazebo...……. I was going to take a gearbox out tonight but the rain is blowing
sideways so ive sacked that idea & poured a rum n coke

flat · Sep 20, 2018

I just run canvas all year round, I just re-proof it every couple of years

wireman · Sep 20, 2018

flat said:
I just run canvas all year round, I just re-proof it every couple of years

I do the same, I don't find the rag top cold at all (unless I don't do it up properly). I just put my big coat on if the temperature really drops. I reproof mine with Thompsons Water Seal, sprayed out of a £1 plant spray bottle.

Hicap phill · Sep 20, 2018

The S1 goes from full canvas to truck cab canvas for the winter.
Used to put on solid truck cab too much hassle.

Plus it's easier to remove for a nice dry winter run out

dag019 · Sep 20, 2018

wireman said:
I do the same, I don't find the rag top cold at all (unless I don't do it up properly). I just put my big coat on if the temperature really drops. I reproof mine with Thompsons Water Seal, sprayed out of a £1 plant spray bottle.

I run mine canvas year around. I would go so far as to argue the canvas is warmer an the hardtop. Again reproof it every couple of years and not had a problem. I reproof mine the old fashioned way with a beeswax and linseed oil mix.
It may reduce the life of the canvas a little but I view them as a wear item anyway rather than something which will last the life of the vehicle.

flat · Sep 20, 2018

wireman said:
I do the same, I don't find the rag top cold at all (unless I don't do it up properly). I just put my big coat on if the temperature really drops. I reproof mine with Thompsons Water Seal, sprayed out of a £1 plant spray bottle.

That’s wxactly what I do, I find the canvas warmer and less noisy than a tin top

I run truck cab canvas 3/4 of the year round and full canvas if I am taking it camping. Truck cab canvas is the warmest of the lot, and I made some padded draft excluders for along the bulkhead lol

Clunkbucket · Sep 20, 2018

flat said:
I just run canvas all year round, I just re-proof it every couple of years

I love the rag top and agree it is the warmest option and does not drip condensation down your neck when you brake like an unlined hard top. But my question is at motorway speeds do you get the corners at the top of the windscreen lifting?

wireman · Sep 20, 2018

Clunkbucket said:
But my question is at motorway speeds do you get the corners at the top of the windscreen lifting?

No, but then I don't often go on the motorway and even then stick to 60/65 (2.5 n/a 90)

Clunkbucket · Sep 20, 2018

wireman said:
No, but then I don't often go on the motorway and even then stick to 60/65 (2.5 n/a 90)

310miles at 75mph in the pouring rain I had a soggy right leg from the roof trying to peel it's self away from the metal piece above the door and rain dripping in the little holes for the hooks!

dag019 · Sep 20, 2018

Clunkbucket said:
310miles at 75mph in the pouring rain I had a soggy right leg from the roof trying to peel it's self away from the metal piece above the door and rain dripping in the little holes for the hooks!

I'm going to have to agree with @wireman, at series mortoway speeds 57ish/65 with a good tail wind I don't get any issues with the roof trying to come off. Maybe yours has shrunk a little over time so doe snot sit correctly at the corners?

flat · Sep 20, 2018

Clunkbucket said:
I love the rag top and agree it is the warmest option and does not drip condensation down your neck when you brake like an unlined hard top. But my question is at motorway speeds do you get the corners at the top of the windscreen lifting?

On my full canvas - yes, because it’s over 20 years old and has shrunk etc - I wedge small bits of wood in the gutters to hold it down. Mine is a 90 not a series though.

It doesn’t do it with my truck cab canvas which is about 2 years old lol and fits perfectly

John S · Sep 20, 2018

kevstar said:
Can you not get a cheap gazebo...……. I was going to take a gearbox out tonight but the rain is blowing
sideways so ive sacked that idea & poured a rum n coke

I'm not thinking about that cos the weather is consistently wet.

John S · Sep 20, 2018

flat said:
I just run canvas all year round, I just re-proof it every couple of years

I've put three coats of Fabsil on it and the rain just runs off. Great stuff.

John S · Sep 20, 2018

John S said:
I'm not thinking about that cos the weather is consistently wet.

Correction I am thinking about that!

kevstar · Sep 20, 2018

John S said:
I'm not thinking about that cos the weather is consistently wet.

Break in the weather Friday - Sat

John S said:
I've put three coats of Fabsil on it and the rain just runs off. Great stuff.

Great stuff Fabsil

John S · Sep 20, 2018

You're making me switcher. Rest of the family wants the hardtop on. It's a pig to fit. Got the new rubber seals fitted and new corner set screws but I just know it's going to take a lot of fettling to get it right. There's something simple and authentic about the canvas I like. Mine's nicely bleached but waterproof.

Prepping the springs and shackles. Nothing subtle about this job. Drifts, hammer, crow bar, burner torch, chains, ratchet straps, 4 axle stands, reamer, Having a gazebo would be good.

dag019 · Sep 21, 2018

John S said:
I've put three coats of Fabsil on it and the rain just runs off. Great stuff.

I get the same thing with the wax proofing I use (link). Plus it smells great

John S said:
Rest of the family wants the hardtop on. It's a pig to fit.

Why do they want the hard top? It will be colder, draftier, noisier, wetter and will not meaningfully increase the security. They are very easy to fit the difficult part, as you have said, is all of the fettling to get it all lined up perfectly. If you are going to go back to canvas in the summer again I wouldn't bother with this I would just get it near enough and then leave it.

1988smithy · Sep 21, 2018

+1 for fabsil, use it on my trailer cover great stuff

Clunkbucket · Sep 21, 2018

dag019 said:
I'm going to have to agree with @wireman, at series mortoway speeds 57ish/65 with a good tail wind I don't get any issues with the roof trying to come off. Maybe yours has shrunk a little over time so doe snot sit correctly at the corners?

Sorry I should have said, mine is a 90 with a 300tdi but as you have suggested the roof is very old.

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