View Full Version : hardtop
Bradc
02-17-2010, 06:39 AM
anyone here ever try to build their own hardtop ? I have a good frame with the previous owners attempt at a hardtop made out of resin covered plywood. It worked and looked ok for awhile but its time for something better. I was thinking about divinacell or something like that, any tips or experiences with this type of thing would be much appreciated !
captbo
04-29-2010, 01:47 PM
How big of a top do you need?
Bradc
05-14-2010, 11:00 AM
60" x 92"
mark glaubke
05-18-2010, 06:04 AM
If I was going to build me a hard top I would use white PVC .Just make sure that you paint the PVC.It is very easy to work with using routers and PVC glue.You can purchase it in 1/4" 1/2" and 3/4'.It is also a lot lighter than plywood.
Carolina Polar Bear
05-18-2010, 01:24 PM
Just curious, does it come in sheets like plywood? What are the standard sizes and where would you go to buy the material? Thanks.
CPB
mark glaubke
05-19-2010, 05:58 AM
Yes the PVC comes in 4x8 sheets.You can purchase it at Norva Plastics and I believe Eastern Burlap carries it in Norfolk both places are within 3 miles of each other.Nice stuff.
Carolina Polar Bear
05-20-2010, 08:55 AM
Mark,
You sound knowledgable about this, can the PVC be heated and formed? I have a canvass laced T-top now but need to replace it soon and was considering getting a hard top made for the existing frame. Would be looking to roll the edges and form them around existing frame and either rivet or screw (fasten) the top to the frame. Is this possible with sheet PVC?
Thanks in advance.
CPB
mark glaubke
05-20-2010, 01:48 PM
Yes you can roll the edges you will probably need a hand when you do it.Just use a heat gun and be careful not to get it to hot so it does not melt.I am going to get rid of my canvis top on my tower and use the PVC also.
What do you do with the seam? 60x92 will have a seam somewhere.
Gary Adolph of Tops and Towers used some sort of PVC-like material and got it in larger sheets to accomodate large tops without seams. It might be worthwhile to search out a source rather than trying to seam. On the other hand, a seam might provide a good wire chase!!
Just a thought.
budc
Carolina Polar Bear
05-21-2010, 07:51 AM
BUDC,
Glad you chimed in on that. It gave me another idea. Why not roll outer edges edges around PVC pipe and use that for wire chases? I believe that would add additional rigidity to the top. Additionally, you could use a 2 inch wide strip glued to one side of the top half and mechanicaly fastened and RTV sealed to the other half of the top. if you ever had to take it off it would come off in two pieces making it easier to handle. I am just concerned about how this material would do in Freezing conditions? I know some people that have had poor experiences with PVC pipe in freezing conditionds. I assume that Mark indictes the need to paint this material becuase it doesn't hold up well in infrared sun rays? Curious how this would hold up to the elements.
Anyone else have any experience with this?
CPB