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:
    1. align (see installation steps below),
    2. mark (use a sharp pencil and double-check),
    3. drill (sharp 7/64" bit, confirm before drilling),
    4. apply Tef-Gel® sealant (to prevent galvanic corrosion) and
    5. install (screw in with medium size Phillips screwdriver) the Stainless Steel Male Snap-Screws in these holes.
  
  
• 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,
  1. Start installing the canvas from the Center->Out and Top->Down at the Corners First :
     1. 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,
     2. 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.
     3. Carefully mark and install the Top/Center Snap(s) labelled [A1] in the picture at right,
     4. Mark and install the Bottom/Center Snap(s) labelled [A2] in the picture at right,
  2. 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],
  3. 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:
     1. at Top/Front corner At [C1] and
     2. at Bottom/Front corner [C2],
     3. Repeat step C (C1 and C2) above for the Left side of the front panel,
  4. 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:
     1. at Top/Rear corner [D1] and
     2. at Bottom/Rear corner [D2],
     3. Repeat step D (D1 and D2) above for the Left Side "Wing" panel,
  5. 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.

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