Detroit Body Products doesn't sell convertible topping that I know of, only interior related stuff. You need to find a convertible top manufacturer like Electron, Robbins, or ARO and purchase it from them. Four yards would easily do the top. Here's a web site with color swatches pictured: http://topsdown.com/pages.php?pagei...oyment+Toolkit+7.0.450.18|Google+Earth+Plugin Most places use Haartz convertible topping materials. I would suggest Haartz Stayfast Canvas. Here's a place that sells it by the yard, but ,as you can see, it's awfully pricey: http://www.thetrimconnection.com/shop/viewcategory.php?groupid=11
Thanks for Your answers!
I have noticed the huge price difference between the different fabrics. The low priced fabrics like the Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is described like this on one webstore:
Haartz Pinpoint Vinyl is also known as “single texture.” The outside is a pinpoint vinyl and the inside is cloth. To the average person this looks similar to Eurotop but is less expensive. Tops made with this vinyl cost less than other top fabrics. This convertible top has an excellent cost/performance benefit. Weatherability is excellent and highly durable. This is the least expensive option for fabric.
In this, and pretty much any other situation, you get what you pay for. Don't buy an unlined vinyl top material. Pay a little more for Haartz Stayfast Canvas, and do it once. You'll be glad you did.
I would use polyester thread size 138 for all the sewing. Polyester lasts better in the sun than nylon, and also fades less. As always, use bonded thread. It has a lubricant built in to go through the sewing machine better.
That is what our manufacturers have stated they use for the convertible tops.
Best regards,
Amy
EZ Softtops
From: STÅLE
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 12:27 PM
To: Sales EZ Softtops
Subject: RE: VS: Cov. Top fabric by the yard
Really?
I was recommende to use polyester thread because it wuld last better in the sun than the nylon thread?
Bonded so the thread move easier thru the sewing machine.
Best Regards
Stale
On 30-04-14, Sales EZ Softtops <sales@ezsofttops.com> wrote:
Hello Stale,
The thread size is 69 and nylon thread from sun guard is the best.
Best regards,
Amy
EZ Softtops
From: STÅLE
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 3:10 AM
To: Sales EZ Softtops
Subject: RE: VS: Cov. Top fabric by the yard
Hi Amy
What kind of sewing tread (size and material type) do you recommend?
Sunguard thread is bonded polyester, not nylon. That's all I use for everything. Size 69 thread is too small to be durable enough on a convertible top.
You asked what thread to use and I gave you my recommendation. If you want to use size 69 nylon thread by all means do so.
Thank for Your answers Dan. They are very helpful.
I'm not questioning your knowledge, but I have received so many different advices in this case, and often (but not always) there are "more than one way that leads to Rome".
Now I have one more question about threads sizes. I understand there are several different ways to describe thread thickness'.
Do you know how thread thickness No 25 is compared to No 138?
25 is maybe an European way to describe threads? I'm not sure...
There are a dozen different ways to describe thread size, and also needle size. There is no one way that covers everything. The 25 designation is the European metric way of describing thread size, but there are different numbers for industrial threads and threads for sewing clothing. From what I was able to find, in industrial threads, metric size 20 is equal to Tex 135, or US 138, but I don't know if that's right or not. I don't know anything about the metric way of describing thread, or anything about threads for sewing clothing. You'll have to ask an upholsterer in Europe.
Ok.
I did a lot of googling on the subject without getting any wiser, so thanks.
:welcome:
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