Upholstery shops sell an aftermarket carpet material for cars that is
commonly used by used car dealers and restorers where custom molded carpet
is needed. This stuff is a nonwoven that has all the properties you would
commonly associate with mid-grade automobile carpet, but it has the
additional feature that if you push and prod it with your fingers, you can
conform it wrinkle-free into almost any shape.

I like what Alistair is up to and would like to do it myself someday. I
don't need to paint my top, it's fine. But when the day comes that I remove
it to replace the canvas, I would like to insulate the top from sun, road
noise and temperature. But I don't want to look at foam, and I want to
protect it from wear and tear. I would sure tey the upholstery produce,
maybe seaming two pieces down the middle before installing if it doesn't
come wide enough.

Jim

On Thu, Jun 9, 2011 at 10:46 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> I agree about concerns on how the velcro will work. I may use some thin
> battens to spring a curve on the insulation, and some edge strips on pop top
> to hold the insulation in place around the edges and hope the velcro will
> work holding the battens in place in the middle.
>
> And yes, wonder about any moisture trapping spaces between roof and
> insulation. Having it removable is a compromise made to facilitate cleaning.
>
> Its all undiscovered country for me Chris, sort of making up as I go along.
>
> alistair
>
>
>
>
>
> On 8-Jun-11, at 3:23 PM, Chris S wrote:
>
>  That would be handy for clean up. I wonder how the Velcro would hold up,
>> more so the pieces glued to the roof, and if moisture would build up between
>>  the insulative layer and the fiberglass.
>>
>> Chris.
>>
>> Wysłane z iPhone'a
>>
>> Dnia Jun 8, 2011 o godz. 13:01 Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> napisał(a):
>>
>>  At first I was thinking of gluing the foam down to the roof, then gluing
>>> some sort of fabric to that. Now I am thinking of gluing the fabric
>>> (microfibre/fleece?) to the foam, then holding the foam to the ceiling by a
>>> combo of edge strips and velcro.
>>>
>>> alistair
>>>
>>>
>>> On 8-Jun-11, at 9:34 AM, Chris S wrote:
>>>
>>>  I like Mr. Squirrel's idea of leather as mohair maybe too thick.
>>>>
>>>> If you can make it look good and you like the color, leaving the foam
>>>> exposed might be a good option.
>>>>
>>>> Otherwise, alcantara is a non-porous, durable, synthetic suede that
>>>> looks good and comes in a variety of colors. I am not sure of cost, though.
>>>>
>>>> Chris.
>>>>
>>>
>>>