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MG TD TF 1500 - Covering the sidecurtains

Have just finished mine and they look OK and fit reasonably well. It would have been nice to get them perfect, but it wasn't to be! I probably spent more time attempting to align them properly than anything else. When you don't have a helper, the main battle is finding ways to clamp the covers in position temporarily, whilst you check the position from the other side and eventually mark up. In the end I found it easiest to clamp them with the hood down, take a few critical measurements, then check these with the hood up. A pencil line around the inside of the frame in the final position is certainly good enough to fix the position. From that you can take the frame and covers to a convenient table or workbench and mark the position of the mounting holes for the chrome or stainless strips. I found it very easy to cut these very neatly using a sharp cork borer of appropriate size (much better than using a drill because it gives a perfect clean cut hole). Then insert the bolts and slide the cover strips into place. For cutting the textile panels out (mine were good quality mohair canvas) I used a scalpel, e.g. X-Acto or Swann-Morton and frequently changed the blade, using about 6 to complete the job. Its amazing how much difference a really sharp blade makes and how quickly it blunts. Despite this, and taking great care, the cut edges are rather fuzzy. If there is any way around this, I would like to know what it is. On one frame I did dismantle it for cutting, because I thought that maybe a pair of scissors would give a cleaner cut, but no, the scissors were no better and most of the time I couldn't get close enough to the marked line, owing to the stitched seam, so used the scalpel. At no stage did I have any real worries about cutting the clear window material. The width and shape of the steel frame itself means that the reverse side of the material, which in my case was dark brown, compared to beige for the outside, can in some places be seen from the outside of the sidescreen. It isn't pretty, but that's the way it is. Some other material choices where the fabric has the same colour on both sides, have an advantage here.
Dave H


Dave Hill

Dave - What worked well for me in cutting the textile panels was a modified seam ripper, used by seamstress. I shortened the long leg on the bottom of the ripper to make it easier to turn the corners. It took just a very short period of time to get a perfect line, thanks to the tutoring of my wife, who is an accomplished seamstress. Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

Dave
Sounds good, but I am not exactly sure what that tool is?! Does it have a hook like blade, and does it allow you to cut alongside a seam - that is maybe 1/16" away? If so, it sounds like a good solution, providing it doesn't leave a slightly fuzzy edge.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Dave H., I think this may be what DW is referring to. From my wife's sewing center -
I can look but not touch. Jud

J K Chapin

Ok, thanks - yes seen these before, and would probably do the job well if it was good and sharp.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Jud nailed it. Just raid your wife's sewing box, she probably has at least one on hand. There are several different styles, the one Jud pictured is the most common. Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

Dave H. My wife just told me that what we call a seam ripper is called something different on your side of the pond. If you need to purchase one, it would probably be a good idea to take Jud's picture with you. Cheers - Dave D.
D.W. DuBois

That's the Tool to use!!! Slices Stayfast like paper. No damage to the plastic window.
M Brand

I bought a bunch of seam rippers off of ebay for cheap. It saves time trying to figure out where I left one. Just run back to the sewing machine and grab another.

We're in the process right now of recovering a set for our hardtop with white leather. Seam ripper actually slices leather very nicely. I have picked up many freebie leather couches & chairs off of Craigslist to strip off the leather (seam ripper does most of the stripping), so the price is right, and the quality is fantastic. Also dragged home large "tin snips" that slice the material nicely (most failed miserably).

I might try sewing in aluminum screen to stiffen up some edges. My objective is to curl the front of the side curtains in behind the windshield, instead of act as an air scoops in cold weather and rain. There's also some stiff webbing stripped off couches that might go in instead of the screen.

I have to weld another couple of rods in the rear curtain frames but they're only narrow slivers with no windows, (remember, hardtop).

Wish me luck.
JRN JIM

This thread was discussed between 17/05/2015 and 19/05/2015

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