I need a source for depot hack side curtain material. In the past I have always used the colonial grain top material from Lebaron Bonney, but it is so heavy and hard to sew. What I would like would be something in a tan/beige for contrast. When I look at "Chester" - Roland's original hack - it almost looks like an oilcloth.

Can someone help me?????

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,There is an upholstry warehouse in Danville,In. Just one block off the square. They carry all kinds of fabrics and you can probably find it there.

My brother used white duck material for his hack side curtains. Seems to work and look good.

Mike,you can usually buy white duck at Walmart.

Guys,

Is duck water repellant??? I've heard of ducking being water rpellent like canvas. Or does it have to be waterproofed?

Mike

It will repel a lot of water,but I don't know if it's waterproof.( you can always give it 2-3 coats of varnish.) Are you building a depot submarine?? (Don't forget the screen doors on the back.)

Mike,The devil made me do it! Grin. LOL.

I was afraid of that!! But that's my line!!! Always works for me!!!

Do you know the name of the place in Danville?

Mike

No,but I've been there. Their prices are good and you won't believe the selection. I was thinking of making a sun shade for the speedster. It gets to hot in the summer without one.

Mike,

What did you end up doing? I searched the forum because I want to do the exact same thing for my restoration (the original truck has remains of side curtains in the bed area) and found your post. I don't care what material I use as long as it's black, semi-water proof, and halfway easy to sew.

Thanks,
Craig

Well, Craig,

I got a sample from Roland Palmeier like he used on "Chester." It was a chocolate brown color which acually looks very good against the black top. I did find some black material, but it had white backing.

On my depot hack that I did first, I used black spanish grain top material from Lebaron-Bonney. It is very tough to sew unless you have access to an upholstery machine like I did.

When I get home (I'm at work), I can send you pictures of Chester. He looks mighty fine.

By the way, Your six post express is making my mouth water. I sold my express and now have a 26 Tudor. I'm afraid the Tudor body may have to go and be replaced by a hack body. I really do like the wooden-bodies cars.

Also, I have a Mifflinburg catalog and was going to look for you tonight to see If I can find your body style. I called mine a six post canopy express.

I can send you a sample of the brown material if you want.

Mike

I found a black vinyl,think naugahyde in 54" width at JoAnn fabrics a national chain,it is waterproof,sews easily and comes in many colors including black,tan, white and red ,turquoise and so on, it is also inexpensive.I made a tire cover for my coupe and my wife sewed a rope into it to tie it, but elastic could be used.Rick

Mike,

I appreciate your quick response. I know of Chester and that's one fine T, but thanks for the compliments on our truck too. I have a scan of the page in the catalog which shows it - they called it a #110 and probably referred to it as an express or delivery body.

Too bad the black material has white on the back. Black would go better with our other truck because it will have small sections of black sheetmetal which cover up the areas in the body where the windows can be lowered. I guess I can go with the other material because my grandpa has an upholstery machine; maybe it wouldn't be too hard to work with. What about it's qualities when rolled up? Is it a pain to roll and/or does it look goofy?

Thanks again,
Craig

One thing you can do is use regular white tight woven canvas and dye it. In my experience it is much easier to work with than the coated materials are. The seams lay flater and the canvas looks (IMHO) more period authentic than the vinyl would. I would think that the canvas would roll up very easily. I've never used vinyl on anything so I don't know but I don't think the top material would look right or work too well for side roll downs. As far as sewing machines, I have an old Pfaff from the 40's or 50's and it will sew just about anything I have wanted to make. I've not done upholstery work with it except to make seat covers for my 51 Jeep pickup and several amplifier covers. To me, canvas is much easier to work with.

Cam Saure, Grand Forks, ND, has a great little building he used for upholstery and I think he has done all of his own cars. He might be a resource for you. At an auction we had recently there were probably 30 to 40 folded canvas pieces ranging from 6 x 6 to about 8 x 15 feet. I think they might have come from the Smelter in Great Falls. I bought one pile, wish I had bought more. It is very high quality. I think canvas is still available and is not really too expensive.

I just went back and read all this thread when I realized I had only read the today post. Mike, How much do you need? I think waterproof canvas would be the perfect answer. It has kind of a waxy coating. Regular canvas I'll bet is the same thing as white duck. It is more of a tan color than white, methinks.

Craig,

There's a picture of that hack on this website in the photo gallery. Yes, the curtains were kinda bulky, but they did roll up straight. The front curtains opened with the doors and came off completely.

Stan,

Thanks for the offer, but I sold the express about two months ago without side curtains. I'll let the new owner take care of it

The old machines are tough. I have my grandmother's 1906 Minneapolis machine, and it does wonderful work.

Yes, I have found canvas, but have never thought about dying it. The ducking I have found is kinda pricey. It's used on Model A (and others) roadster tops.

If I ditch the Tudor, I think I'll give dyed canvas a try.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,Wally World sells white and black duck material,fairly reasonable.

I still have Chester's original side curtains and they are smooth light brown oil cloth with leather key-holed discs to mount over the side curtain pins.

Jacquie chose the brown vinyl material that Mike mentions above as a very workable solution that is easy to sew, easy to attach and looks good to us. She got the material at Jo-Ann Fabric.

You can see the original color in my "Profile" photo. The new vinyl is darker brown.

I like the way the side curtains came out and we can attach them nicely in the cold weather too!

Regards, Roland

try a boat shop or awning shop, ask for polyster duck. made from 100% polyster thread with waterproof backing. looks the same as cotton duck. the back side is of the same color.will not have mildew problem as cotton or discolor as cotton. comes in lots of colors.will cut and sew with home sewing machine.