Paki top: Vinyl vs Canvas

[woytovich]

I have a chance to pick-up a canvas Paki top which would mean I could sell my vinyl paki top to fund it. I have never installed my vinyl one. I am drawn to the canvas one for it's retro qualities.

I'm soliciting opinions, observations, comments on the merits of vinyl vs canvas for a cruiser soft top. Maintenance? Waterproofness? Wear/aging characteristics? What else?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[KY Longhunter]

I would vote for canvas !

 

[3doghouse]

Canvas.

 

[BigRedFJ40]

I vote canvas

 

[woytovich]

Votes are all well and good but WHY? If it's just cause it's cooler but turns out to be a PITA to use (leaks etc) it's not worth it.

Plus NOW I'm looking at the made in the USA tops being offered with that sunbrella stuff that has a canvas-ish texture.... arrrggghhh..

 

[bsmith123]

canvas vs vinyl

From what I see, in general old school materials last longer as long as the maintenance that is required for them is carried out. New materials have convenience factors but IMHO not the longevity even if properly cared for.

What would you want for a gate post OAK or pressure treated pine?

Sometimes we have just lost the tips and tricks for maintaining the old materials for instance I seem to remember rubbing a parrafin wax block over the stitching helps keep it watertight etc.

I found my Toyota canvas tool bag and scrubbed it up this week --I doubt a vinyl one would have survived from 71


Oh yeah the canvas looks so good too and, cmon- who does not want cool?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/13577-topic-week-soft-tops.html

 

[Thornton]

The first thing I would do is ask the person you are getting it from why are they getting rid of it.
I have a canvas paki top on my 71. The top had to be treated twice with Canvak to get it to not leak. I got caught in a nasty thunder storm on the way home from a trip and it took in water some where but I believe a vinyl top would have done the same.
The biggest thing I see that I don't like is the canvas seems thin. While doing the initial installation of mine I was pulling down on one of the straps a put about 1" tear in the top. A friend of mine had a military top made for WWII era jeep that he restored that was quite a bit heavier.
I keep my truck in the garage when not driving and you can still see how the sun has bleached the fabric. If left outside the sun and elements will deteriorate the canvas quickly.
I installed my sons Kayline fastrack top on my truck until the paki top came in. It had been sitting in the basement for 5 yrs. and really seemed to have drawn upreal bad from not being used.
I would go with another canvas top but would want it to be of a heavier canvas and would want to have some sort of flap over the side zippers like the ones on the rear.

 

[Coolerman]

I vote the American made top with the Sunbrella material. My tent camper has that stuff and it is totally water proof, shrugs off the sun, does not fade, and is actually easy to repair with a vinyl repair tape that you iron on from the back side if you do poke a hole in it.

I think the canvas tops are totally cool but they are high maintenance...

 

[Sputnik40]

I'm in the boat as you - and am hoping you pull the trigger first. I have had both of the Paki tops - but never installed the canvas one. I was very happy with the vinyl - but others have said negative stuff about them. The canvas I picked up was a decent weight - looked good - but was gonna need some heavy Canvak soaking.

I have an old military spec canvas top on my 88" Rover and it doesn't leak a drop - but is soaked in canvak, so much so that it stains the windshield during frequent rains.

Since the first two - I've collected most of the OEM bows and doors and am just sitting on the fence trying to figure out if the Paki canvas is gonna last and be worth it - or just stick with the fact that my 40 is really a full blown wheeler, sell the bows/doors and put the money into my Rover - which is what I tool around town in now anyways.

Tough choice, eh!

 

[grant5127]

I have a chance to pick-up a canvas Paki top which would mean I could sell my vinyl paki top to fund it. I have never installed my vinyl one. I am drawn to the canvas one for it's retro qualities.

I'm soliciting opinions, observations, comments on the merits of vinyl vs canvas for a cruiser soft top. Maintenance? Waterproofness? Wear/aging characteristics? What else?

Thanks,
Mark

Install the vinyl one and see what happens...... inquiring minds want to know.............

 

[donny paradise]

I have a chance to pick-up a canvas Paki top which would mean I could sell my vinyl paki top to fund it. I have never installed my vinyl one.

So your going to pass it on to some unsuspecting sole

 

[woytovich]

So your going to pass it on to some unsuspecting sole

"Unsuspecting"? There is nothing wrong with my vinyl top if that's what you mean - it's just a matter of taste.

 

[donny paradise]

"Unsuspecting"? There is nothing wrong with my vinyl top if that's what you mean - it's just a matter of taste.

Post up some pics of what you have, especially the trim, and quality of the windows..

 

[KY Longhunter]

Go with the canvas

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts...canvas-ehsan-soft-top-4-sale.html#post3501202

 

[woytovich]

Post up some pics of what you have, especially the trim, and quality of the windows..

Sounds like you are baiting me... are you trying to make a point with this?

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Install the vinyl one and see what happens...... inquiring minds want to know.............

So your going to pass it on to some unsuspecting sole

"Unsuspecting"? There is nothing wrong with my vinyl top if that's what you mean - it's just a matter of taste.

Post up some pics of what you have, especially the trim, and quality of the windows..

Sounds like you are baiting me... are you trying to make a point with this?

Grant and donny...you need to give it a rest. You made your point in the other thread. Are you going to post in every thread regarding Paki soft tops?

 

[Johnnymiz]

had a best top vinyl for years. it was fine...but nothing special. worked ok. really soft when warm, hard when cold. stitching eventually broke down and i had to resew the whole thing. windows turned cloudy. bought a canvas top from Ehsan. much more retro looking. good workmanship.... i did pull too hard in one spot and pulled a seam. easily fixed, though. not a bother. put canvak on it. it does NOT leak. even in torrential rain. just dont let it get wet while not on the truck..it WILL shrink and be a pain in the ass to get back on.

 

[woytovich]

...bought a canvas top from Ehsan...

You are on Long Island? Please contact me directly...
mark@woytovich.com
631-368-9005
I'd love to see the Paki canvas top...
Mark

 

[82cruiser]

Mark - any progress on your decision? Old news or still debating?

 

[Pirate]

Looking to buy a soft top and bows if someone has for sale?

Bert