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MG TD TF 1500 - Streatching a Moss full tonneau?

I have a full Moss vinal tonneau and it's just a bit skimpy over some of the lift the dots. I've got the top tucked way into the boot but its still hard to fit.
I was thinking of using my heat gun on it but have fears of ruining it.
Has anyone done this?
Ed
efh Haskell

Too risky with a heat gun as you will probably burn it. If the sun doesn't warm it enough in Colorado, its unlikely to anywhere, I imagine. Too much sun and the vinyl will shrink a little (plasticiser loss).
Dave H
Dave Hill

I wonder if you could rig up some sort of stretcher that pinched both sides and that you could ratchet up periodically after it sat in the sun for a few hours at a time.

It seems in general that Moss's tonneau covers are a bit narrow. I had to overstretch a canvas one too. The originals actually fitted a bit loose as I suspect they shrunk after getting wet, and that caused them to then fit more snuggly.
Christopher Couper

Ed
While mine was some Amco vinyl version from decades ago, as Dave H and others say, attest, vinyl will shrink over time. So it will only get worse. My seams haven't held up and ripped over time due to shrinkage and trying to force back over the LTDs.
Randy
R Biallas

Chris, that's a great idea. I've laid it out out on my workbench inside out and clamped one side down. It's just the part of the thing that goes over the rear of the boot to ltds that needs stretching. Then I have an adjustable bar clamp on the other end. As I squeeze that clamp it pulls. I'm going to dampen the inside and apply pressure for a few days. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the tip!
Ed
efh Haskell

We solved that problem by unstitching the rear strip and replacing it with a slightly wider strip and re-installing the rear LTD's. A local upholsterer did the stitching for very little expense. The tonneau was otherwise in very good shape.

Matthew.
M Magilton

Matthew, my stretching isn't going too well. I like your idea and may have it done! Thanks!
Ed
efh Haskell

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2018 and 24/06/2018

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