MTFCA Forum

Im ready to install top material on the Martin Parry wood cab. What is the padding used and thickness.
I was advised not to use foam. Some type of padding used in quilting?

Dallas the best padding in today’s times is the same type used on padded vinyl tops. It is 1/4” thickness. Use a quality adhesive and you will love the results. Check Rochford Supply.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See

I always use a layer of dark or black muslin first in case your roof strips shrink , then as Henry suggested 1/4” landau padding . Sometimes you can find it in black but more likely white. Don’t roll it over the edge, just to the edge. Doesn’t take a lot of glue, just a bit to keep it from shifting. If you have an auto trim shop nearby, they would have it. If not let me know and I can sent it to you. You will also need hide-em welt and the finish trim fasteners. Do it on a sunny day but don’t overstretch it. Have fun, you are nearly there.

Perhaps whomever suggested not to use foam saw or used craft store foam. That would disintegrate quickly. Landau foam will last forever.

Did they even use padding on truck cabs back in the day? My 25 Indiana cab had the original top with no pad on it. The wood in the roof was spaced about an inch apart and you could see the underside of the top material from inside to cab. Remember, this is a truck, not a Lincoln.

My model A with original top has no padding, but the little MP delivery truck I used to have had muslin, cotton padding and then top material. The top slats may telegraph through the thinner top material available today, if nothing is used, IMHO

another thought, most of the new top material you see now has a fuzzy white back, not a good look

On my C cab I used a layer of black duck canvas over the slats followed by a layer of 100% quilting cotton with the vinyl over that. The quilt cotton is only about 1/8” thick and smooths out the roof imperfections without being too thick. The worst looking thing on an old truck is to have a “muffin top”.

Dallas, many period tops on trucks first had a layer of burlap/hessian laid over the slats. Its natural colour sits well with timber. The quilting fabric you mentioned is dacron. Its advantage is it will not rot if any moisture gets to it and there is no dye in it. 1/4" thick is enough to even out any differences in the roof slats. Any thickeer and the roof will look un-naturally plush.

Hope this helps,

Allan from down under.