Tonneau cover...

[Lionheart]

Has anyone made a tonneau cover?
Well, I'm about to...would like to spin some ideas and get some advice here.

I have no idea where to get the lift-the-dot fasteners. We used to use them to hold the cargo compt insulation in the C-130. I should have known that I'd have a Spitfire some day, and I should have pocketed 4 of these little gems.

I have some nice heavy marine vinyl, a 48" plastic zipper, and plenty of snaps.

Here's my draft plan of attack:
1. Get the vinyl joined together with the zipper in the middle. (Thinking about a flap of vinyl over the zipper.)
2. Chalk the edge line onto the vinyl on the car and have the edge seems sewn in.
3. Install the snaps.
4. Make the headrest and steering wheel pouches and have them installed.

Thoughts?

 

[martx-5]

The big three should have them. Here is Moss' listing for them. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Sounds like a plan. New tonneaus aren't cheap.

 

[DougF]

Are you doing the sewing or having it done? If you are having the work done for you, unless you know the person well, it will probably be costly.
Also, finding an adequate material could be difficult. Too light a vinyl and you will have problems with tearing at the snaps.
If this is a cost savings adventure, I would save my money and frustration and buy used on ebay.

 

[NutmegCT]

Just my 1.5 cents ...

A professional upholstery shop will likely charge $150-200 to sew the vinyl. And I sure wouldn't want it done by someone who's never sewn heavy vinyl, or whatever material you end up choosing.

I installed the LTD fasteners on my hoodstick cover myself, using a 3/8" punch and x-acto knife. Tedious, but looks and works great!

Tom

 

[tomshobby]

Here is a source for many types of snap fasteners. they may have what you need or give you terms to use for searching.

https://www.ohiotravelbag.com/

 

[Lionheart]

Are you doing the sewing or having it done? If you are having the work done for you, unless you know the person well, it will probably be costly.

Around the Air Force Base where I live, we have a plethora of sewing places. They normally do patches and stripes on uniforms, but they can do anything.
If that doesn't pan out, I'll fire up our old-fashioned Singer and give it a go. (With a little advice from my wife & DIY muse -- "Slowly-slowly...catchy-monkey.")

Too light a vinyl and you will have problems with tearing at the snaps.

I plan on gluing strips of canvas into the outer seam.

If this doesn't work out, I'll be out about $35 on the vinyl. I can live with that.