MTFCA Forum

I'm working on replacing the top on my 26 Roadster pick up. I've spent hours searching this site and the web but can't seem to find a clear answer. How are the bows wrapped? On a 45 almost like you wrap a candy cane or length wise along the bow? Is the front bow wrapped like the other bows? Also how far down do you wrap the irons? I'm assuming down around the curve.

on the bias..i.e. at a 45 degree angle...that is, cut the fabric on a bias, then rap the bow.

As you said, the bow wrap is cut on the bias (45 degrees). This gives it the flexibility to conform to the bends in the corners.

Here is a video showing how Elizabeth at "Class it Up" does it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Y8gKaKIrs&t=27s

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 18, 2021 5:42 pm

As you said, the bow wrap is cut on the bias (45 degrees). This gives it the flexibility to conform to the bends in the corners.

Here is a video showing how Elizabeth at "Class it Up" does it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Y8gKaKIrs&t=27s

She is wrapping it lengthwise. Is that the correct way?

Yes. Put the seam on top so that it can't be seen inside the car.

Do you understand what it means for the fabric to be cut on the bias? It means the threads run 45 degrees to the length of the bow wrap, like this:

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:23 pm

Yes. Put the seam on top so that it can't be seen inside the car.

Do you understand what it means for the fabric to be cut on the bias? It means the threads run 45 degrees to the length of the bow wrap, like this:

Yes I understand what it means to cut on the bias but that doesn't answer my question..

351cmach wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:11 pm

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 18, 2021 5:42 pm

As you said, the bow wrap is cut on the bias (45 degrees). This gives it the flexibility to conform to the bends in the corners.

Here is a video showing how Elizabeth at "Class it Up" does it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Y8gKaKIrs&t=27s

She is wrapping it lengthwise. Is that the correct way?

Yes

One has to ask, after watching the video of a professional top/interior manufacturer/installer plying her trade: why would you ask "is that the correct way?"

Robert...it is the right way, and every question you have asked is filmed and described in detail

FWIW...I wrap it like a candy cane about a 2/3 exposure. I also fold the live edge under about 1/4 inch to give me a fold instead of a live edge. I come around the curve taut with really no change is exposure, and then get tricky by cutting a bit of a duckbill and pushing it up under to give a squared edge look. I think the snap screw then holds that all together from unraveling. (I'm thinking on some I have driven a tack to hold the fold under tight and square, but its been a bit, and I use tacks driven half way along the top to make all my wrap tensions work and if it balks and wants to 'gather' I don't lose the whole game...just back to a previous pin that I'm happy with. I then pull the tacks when done and if you are gentle enough, you can just watch the tack hole disappear.

I'm sure others do it differently.

Here's a link on wrapping the front bow which on many T's is wrapped in vinyl <https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14323> On my 1917 the wood bows make a 90 degree curve before joining the steel sockets. I carried the wrap to just below the top of the sockets.

For the pads and all bows in back of the front one, it's called bow drill.

After I wrapped the bows, I sprayed a fine mist of water on them, then used my wife's hairdryer to dry them off; in the process, most wrinkles disappear.

Regards,

Steve Boothroyd

My wife sewed the cloth material (cut on the bias) into a long tube and then pulled it inside-out so the cut edge was to the inside. I then pulled it onto the bow, sprayed it with warm water and pulled it taut, securing the ends temporarily with tie wraps. Finishing with a hair dryer while it was still damp, it snugged up wrinkle free.

For the vinyl, I did it in three sections. The two curved ends and the straight center (see previous post). I used contact cement and tacks (sparingly) to attach it.
Once the bows are finished you have the top to install. A whole other story Do a forum or google search and you'll find lots of information.

I like the tube sock idea, I may try that next time!