Difference between Vinyl and PVC Softtops?

[rcx132]

The softtop on my latest project tore today. It's all brittle anyway so not repairable. I've looked around for new ones, they are available in PCV or in Vinyl. Any idea which is better? They are the same price.

I personally like the "fastback" ones but when I asked my family they all prefer the tradional flat top one. What do you all think? There's no seats in the back and it's just a play car so the lack of space under the fastback is no problem.

Traditional on left, fastback on right...

 

[Kayos]

I always though pvc was poly vinyl chloride? So the same thing

 

[Rig Pig]

I prefer mohair, but I suppose mud will clean off plastic more easily.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Canvas?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Vinyl is PVC!

Options in order of expense are mohair, then double duck and vinyl the cheapest.

 

[rcx132]

Vinyl is PVC!

Options in order of expense are mohair, then double duck and vinyl the cheapest.

Google agrees! Maybe they listed them as separate products to cover anyone searching for either. Unfortunately no mohair or canvas options available.

 

[keithski122]

Double duck is rarely used anymore and fades badly.
I prefer the standard version, fastback looks a bit "kitcar".

 

[Cobbler]

Double duck is rarely used anymore and fades badly.
I prefer the standard version, fastback looks a bit "kitcar".

I agree

 

[frank horton]

go to a boat yard, they'll tell u where to get a quote for a canvas..........u don't have to have green anymore !!!!!!!!!!!!
much better than Vynal and the looks improve with use, thats unless u want a hanger queen..........hahaha.......

 

[rcx132]

go to a boat yard, they'll tell u where to get a quote for a canvas..........u don't have to have green anymore !!!!!!!!!!!!
much better than Vynal and the looks improve with use, thats unless u want a hanger queen..........hahaha.......

What would they do though, would they make a canvas top to order? As I've not seen canvas tops for these cars.

I think mohair is for more prestigious cars. These Suzuki's have a very basic softtop system, they just pop rivot into place and have a bar which tightens them taught.

The PVC tops are £250 which I thought was ok. I don't know how long they last, I have two that I got from scrap cars, one looked new and great condition but when I went to fit it yesterday it just started tearing everywhere, I think the material has weakened now. The other looks like the factory one, 30 years old, and is crumbing as I touch it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

What would they do though, would they make a canvas top to order? As I've not seen canvas tops for these cars.

Take your current top along and ask them for a quote to make the canvas one off the pattern. You might be pleasantly surprised. They ought to be able to advise on material thinkness, no point in having one you can't fold......

 

[Robotstar5]

What about a Bikini hood?

 

[keithski122]

I wouldn't use yours as a pattern as it will have shrunk over the years and the new one won't fit nicely.I've seen my boss make soft tops to cars and its not that easy, he only does it for cars we can't get new hoods for, or ones that the body dimensions vary(ie very old british stuff).Bite the bullet and buy a new one.

 

[rcx132]

What about a Bikini hood?

View attachment 139854

Got one ツ Was £60.

 

[rcx132]

Phoned up the shop today. The one they list as Vinyl has a cloth backing, like the originals had. The one they list as PVC is just PVC.

In my experience the cloth backing discolours and rots so I'm thinking of going for the pure PVC.