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Tips
Tips

Should I get cloth top or vinyl - & why?

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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I see two main camps out there when looking for a new top, cloth or vinyl.

Are the cloth tops superior in any way?
I saw one on a B not too long ago and liked the way it looked.
 
I've always thought the cloth tops look so much better than vinyl. I don't know if one is better than the other though.
 
If the vinyl one has the zipper window in the back but the cloth one does not, does that sway opinion?

I'm asking because Franks top is shot & he needs a new one.
It will be several months before I can install it, but I'd like to get the research part out of the way.

Are either easier to install, or both about the same?
 
lbcarco.com sells Don Trimmings tops. I've heard many people say good things about them. I think they have a canvas top with a zipout window.
 
Yes they do.
Though $500 is more than I'm willing to spend on this car.
 
Is the top gonna stay up or down? If down, why spend the extra money for cloth when you could use that cash on something else?
 
This is the Northwest we are talking about.
Even though a day may start out as "top down" there isn't any guarantee it will stay that way.

Is the cloth top nicer when up? That's the feeling I am getting.
 
well, which top dries faster, cloth or vinyl?

& what happens when you put a wet cloth top down?
 
tony barnhill said:
well, which top dries faster, cloth or vinyl?

& what happens when you put a wet cloth top down?
Click to expand...

I assume the vinyl top dries faster.
So it would take a bit longer to dry out so it could be put down, but if its raining here and then suddenly clears up it's usually a while before its warm enough to drive with it down.
We don't get that 'warm rain' thing like you folks down south.
If it rains here, its cold.
(if you consider 50F - 60F cold) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazyeyes.gif
 
RickB said:
Yes they do.
Though $500 is more than I'm willing to spend on this car.
Click to expand...
Think that alone answers your question - what you need is a good Robbins vinyl top!
 
I've asked a few places for samples of their material.
I'll see for myself before ordering anything.

Here are two places I'm looking:
TopsOnline
and
EZ Soft Tops
 
I had seen those same two vendors... and was thinking of going with "TopsOnline". My '78 has (had) a 'cloth' (synthetic canvas?) top, and I much prefer the look of it to the pretend-leather finish.

Now if only a pine cone hadn't dropped off the 100' tree above the driveway, and gone straight through the old top... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
 
It’s just personal taste, but I think cloth is better in every way.

Now that I’ve gotten a cloth top I can’t ever imagine buying another vinyl top. And I never even put the top up. The cloth is just soooooo much nicer.

I replaced my vinyl tonneau cover with a cloth one too.


PC.
 
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