T-Top Spray-Shield Installation
- Your Sunbrella®, Weblon® or Stamoid® canvas will NOT shrink ...
- In the past canvas was often made of cotton or poly/cotton "Duck" fabric which would shrink over time.
- All of the canvas we sell is dimensionally stable and does not shrink.
- Sunbrella®, in fact, will stretch a very slight amount over time, so it is important to install it as tightly as possible.
- There is no need to leave the canvas loose to account for future shrinking.
- Replacing Existing Canvas (No Snaps in Canvas OR Snaps already in place on T-Top)
- If you are replacing existing canvas and have snaps installed on the T-Top frame, it is advisable to install the snaps in the canvas yourself for perfect alignment. We install (or provide) 5/8" OD Nickel Plated Brass snaps with a 1/4" barrel. Installing snaps yourself will require a snap installation tool. We offer a tool, and recommend the tools below.
- New Canvas Installation (NO Snaps on T-Top) :
- If you are installing canvas on the T-Top for the first time,
there will probably be no snaps installed on the T-Top frame.
- To install Male Snap-Screws on the T-Top's aluminum frame,
you will need to carefully:
- align (see installation steps below),
- mark (use a sharp pencil and double-check),
- drill (sharp 7/64" bit, confirm before drilling),
- apply Tef-Gel® sealant (to prevent galvanic corrosion) and
- install (screw in with medium size Phillips screwdriver) the Stainless Steel Male Snap-Screws in these holes.
- If you are installing canvas on the T-Top for the first time,
- T-Top Spray-Shield Installation Steps:
- Click the drawing at right for a larger view,
- PRO Tip: If the canvas is stiff or wrinkled from storage or shipping, allow it to "Relax" in a warm place before installation,
- Keep the front window zipped closed during installation,
- Start installing the canvas from the
Center->Out and Top->Down at the Corners First :
- Locate the True-Center of the T-Top Tower
(and the canvas)
by measuring
Outside-to-Outside along the front of the
T-Top Tower (and the canvas):
- at the top,
- as well as at the level (waist level) where the bottom of ths spray-shield will mount,
- Hold the canvas centered at the top, wrap the the Side "Wing" panels around the T-Top Tower frame and then check that everything lines up on the top, bottom and sides.
- Carefully mark and install the Top/Center Snap(s) labelled [A1] in the picture at right,
- Mark and install the Bottom/Center Snap(s) labelled [A2] in the picture at right,
- Locate the True-Center of the T-Top Tower
(and the canvas)
by measuring
Outside-to-Outside along the front of the
T-Top Tower (and the canvas):
- With the canvas snapped to the frame using snaps [A1] and [A2], wrap the side "Wings" around the T-Top Tower and affix Velcro around the top of the T-Top pipe [B],
- Pull the Right side of the Front Panel tight by pulling
Up and Out at top [C1] and
Down and Around frame at Bottom [C2], then install Snaps:
- at Top/Front corner At [C1] and
- at Bottom/Front corner [C2],
- Repeat step C (C1 and C2) above for the Left side of the front panel,
- Pull the Right Side "Wing" panel tight by pulling
Up and Back at Top [D1] and
Down and Back at Bottom [D2], then install Snaps:
- at Top/Rear corner [D1] and
- at Bottom/Rear corner [D2],
- Repeat step D (D1 and D2) above for the Left Side "Wing" panel,
- With the front and side panels pulled "snug" tight, mark and install the remaining snaps (between the corner snaps installed above) at the top, sides and bottom.
Note: A Snap Installation Tool is only required for canvas provided without the snaps installed ...
How to install snaps on canvas
- Canvas Snap Installation Tool Options :
- Time Saver™ Button (snap) Fastening kit - Vice Plier Attachments
... $5 to $40
- TIMESAVERTOOL.com/application.php,
- Product name: "Time Saver Tool Grip Fast All Metal Button Fastener Kit",
- Simply attaches to jaws of standard 10" Vice Grips,
- Useful for installing 10-50 snaps,
- Instructions: TIMESAVERTOOL.com/pics/application_page_snap_buttons%20copy.jpg,
- Available from:
-
Great Lakes™
Snap Installation Tool
... $56.82 , No longer sold ONLINE (please EMAIL us.)
- Complete Vice Plier with installation dies welded to frame,
- Useful for installing many snaps,
- Simply align the snap, create small hole with ice pick or awl, put snap in place and crimp with tool,
- This tool is the same concept as simply adding the "Time Saver" snap die attachments above to your own vice grips, except these dies are welded to the vice grips here,
- Available: Purchase.PHP?product=Snap-Installation-Tool-G
-
Dritz™ Heavy Duty Snap Fastener Plier
... $10 to $20
- DRITZ.com/brands/showcase/details.php?ITEM_NUM=24P,
- More difficult to compress snaps than Vice-Grip tool above or Great Lakes™ Vice-Grip style snap tool below,
- Good reviews on Amazon,
- Useful for installing 10-30 snaps,
- Available from: AMAZON.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Darts-crafts&field-keywords=Dritz+Heavy+Duty+Fastener+Plier&rh=n%3A2617941011%2Ck%3ADritz+Heavy+Duty+Fastener+Plier
- SeaSense™ Canvas Snap Fastener Installation Tool
... $10 to $20
- TIMESAVERTOOL.com/application.php,
- More difficult to compress snaps than Vice-Grip tool above or Great Lakes™ Vice-Grip style snap tool below,
- Not recommended due to Poor reviews on Amazon (flimsy and weak)!
- Useful for installing 10-20 snaps,
- Available from: AMAZON.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=SeaSense+50048257
- Time Saver™ Button (snap) Fastening kit - Vice Plier Attachments
... $5 to $40
- Lift-The-DOT® Fasteners:
-
Installation of Lift-The-DOT® fasteners is a bit more manual than installing other fasteners.
Holes can be cut with a razor blade and then the prongs can be folded over with the Prong Bending Tool
for Lift-the-DOT® fasteners (#120445) or a screwdriver.
Special hole cutters and other tools make installation much easier.
These tools are available from SailRite:
- Lift-The-DOT® Hand Punch (#100972) cuts holes for 2-Prong Studs.
- Lift-The-DOT® Hole Cutter (#110012) cuts the center hole and slits for Lift-The-DOT® Sockets.
- Lift-The-DOT® Deluxe Hand Punch (#100695) cuts the center hole and slits for the socket in one squeeze.
- Pres-N-Snap® Tool (#109011) with additional die set (#106397) installs the Eyelet-Type Base Stud only.
- Lift-The-DOT® Hand Punch (#100972) cuts holes for 2-Prong Studs.
-
Installation of Lift-The-DOT® fasteners is a bit more manual than installing other fasteners.
Holes can be cut with a razor blade and then the prongs can be folded over with the Prong Bending Tool
for Lift-the-DOT® fasteners (#120445) or a screwdriver.
Special hole cutters and other tools make installation much easier.
These tools are available from SailRite:
