Leather roof covering

was hoping someone could give me a little info on the leather roofs. My 1926 as I'm thinking (going by all the photos I see of the vehicles) should have had a leather roof covering, all I can find so far is that it might be leather with a lacquer paint coating. Any guidance to reinstate the roof material would be greatly appreciated.

In my last post in non IHC, I mention that I was sold some water resistant leather at TANDY LEATHER. This oil treated leather might just be precisely what you are looking for. It feels oily and almost totally resists 3M77 contact glue. I called the store and they offered to exchange for some different leather. So far, the leather has not fallen off and if it does, we will replace it. The remaining leather, and there is quite a lot of it, will be cut and sewn into one of those vintage tool rolls, with twin leather straps and brass buckles, for the non IHC.

This is just my personal opinion, but I would be more inclined to use a modern vinyl or similar material on the roof instead of leather.

Think Naugahyde. Easy to work with and since it has the cloth weave on the reverse side, makes gluing easy and sure plus it's stronger than just vinyl sheet. It also comes in a wide range of colors and textures.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=naugahyde

Marine grade would probably be better for a roof;
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1047& ... CHUQ1QIoBA

Compare the prices to real leather Then add in all the care leather needs.

I have to agree with the using a man made material. Leather is higher maintenance and this oiled leather does not glue, easily.
I'm using leather because I want that aroma that is leather only.

But, the leather the seamstress thought might have been used in the 20's was possibly just lacquer painted for colour.

I will inquire on the other materials to see if its something that will take more abuse and keep the original look and value. So far I have been using this sites guidance and the appraiser loves what's been done on the vehicle. He feels that its been restored so far to what was available in those days. I don't want to step out to far from what was used in the 20's.

I was looking at the color charts for the 30's, looks like this truck was last registered as a grey truck. I repainted it with Tremclad grey to see if it looks good, I like it but it needs to be a little lighter. I'm guessing that the 1926's would have been black or red, cant seem to find the colour charts for the 1926 models.

This is what I used on the 27 roof got it from restoration Supply Company. Have got some pictures of how I installed it will post them up later

Restoration Supply Company
Top Material
The Right Stuff to make your new top cover. Black. 54" wide roll. Sold by the linear foot. Call us for a sample.
MAT008 $16.00/lf

http://www.restorationstuff.com/catalog.html

http://www.restorationstuff.com/pdf/Res ... ompany.pdf

Pictures later

The material Trevor used appears to be Naugahyde(?),the width is the same as the sites I looked at in the links at any rate,price is close too.

As Brian said,it's gluing leather and whether or not the adhesive will resist the oil used on the leather. I'd imagine the same "conditioner" used on tack is what would be used?

Googled a couple things;
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=le ... ue&start=0
Learned a few things from the Y-T video

The cab is wood right? Did this one too;
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=gl ... er+to+wood

While I was at it...
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=vi ... ather+roof

A little different result by changing one word;
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=vi ... eather+top

Learned from this too;
http://www.haartz.com/vintage-restorers ... -materials

Personally I'd go with man made,who's really gonna know anyway? Us? We won't tell! Plus I wouldn't want to pay $200+ dollars on leather and find it won't stay glued.

I think I learned enough for 2 days today! Guess I don't have to pay attention tomorrow. lol

Scott not sure why but with all your links to google all I get is the google front page with the search line.


Ok here are the pictures. I didn't glue anything down just stapled it all on with stainless staples in the pictures it shows I stapled the wading down first this was a big mistake as when you pulled the top material down it showed up badly where the staples underneath where so had to pull it all back off and start again.

Wading is 1/2" thick

I appreciate all the help.
I didn't think that the leather was glued on in the old days, everything I looked at shows the perimeter nailed and a metal trim around the perimeter.

Can I use the same material for the seat covers?