Roof Covering
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 12:33 pm
What would normally have been used for the roof covering for a light delivery
or depot hack ?
or depot hack ?
Page 1 of 1
Re: Roof Covering
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 1:48 pm
Cobra vinyl or a light rubberized canvas are the two that are commonly used today.
Re: Roof Covering
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 6:14 pm
Re: Roof Covering
Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 8:24 pm
John,
When I did my depot hack, I used the long grain cobra, (Snyders A-47300). I built the roof out of lath that was beaded to resemble wainscoting from the inside. I then routed the out side edge with a 3/4" rounding bit in the router. I covered this with a piece of 1/4" closed cell foam I purchased from a local upholstery shop. When I purchased the foam, the guy gave me a tip to leave the foam hanging about 1/2" over the edge of the top, and then take a razor blade and chamfer the underneath side of the foam. When you pull the top material over the edge it creates a nice smooth transition. I finished off the project with hydem-welting.
On a side note, the day I stretched the fabric, I hosted our local Model A club to help pull the fabric while I stapled. Many of the members that helped are no longer with us, but the memories we made that day were priceless.
Hope that helps. Kevin
When I did my depot hack, I used the long grain cobra, (Snyders A-47300). I built the roof out of lath that was beaded to resemble wainscoting from the inside. I then routed the out side edge with a 3/4" rounding bit in the router. I covered this with a piece of 1/4" closed cell foam I purchased from a local upholstery shop. When I purchased the foam, the guy gave me a tip to leave the foam hanging about 1/2" over the edge of the top, and then take a razor blade and chamfer the underneath side of the foam. When you pull the top material over the edge it creates a nice smooth transition. I finished off the project with hydem-welting.
On a side note, the day I stretched the fabric, I hosted our local Model A club to help pull the fabric while I stapled. Many of the members that helped are no longer with us, but the memories we made that day were priceless.
Hope that helps. Kevin
Re: Roof Covering
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2026 3:04 am
Most of our Colonial built car bodies had light coloured canvas tops rather than black vinyl type covering. I used canvas over cedar laths on both my 1912 van and 19 17 shooting brake. Modern canvas fabric contains a percentage of polyester fibre in the yarn which makes it longer lasting, stronger and less liable to shrinkage. The one one my van is 33 years old now and is still as god as the day it was fitted.
My motor trimmer advised against using foam as an underlayer because some types decay under hot conditions. He put me onto the dacron sheeting used by quilters. It is stable, does not shrink, is not affected by moisture and is available in multiple widths. I used 1/4" thick stuff so the top does not look padded out on the sides where it is finished.
Allan from down under.
My motor trimmer advised against using foam as an underlayer because some types decay under hot conditions. He put me onto the dacron sheeting used by quilters. It is stable, does not shrink, is not affected by moisture and is available in multiple widths. I used 1/4" thick stuff so the top does not look padded out on the sides where it is finished.
Allan from down under.