Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

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Ralph
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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Ralph » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:01 am

Phil,
Batisti's seats seem to be the only sets which can be sourced with authentic (Repro) spring sets.That sets them apart from most, possibly all.I have seen them; about as good as they get.I understand lead time is sometimes long and price point is at the upper end.
There is,I believe, at least one G site member who may be prototyping a similar spring set with already authentic canvas but he can present his own case.
Ralph


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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Chuck Lutz » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:03 am

Currently Farrell Fox is making the most accurate canvas for your jeep. As of now, no Winter Tops are being offered that I know of. However, as noted above, Paolo Batisti is fabricating the "S" spring seats.

No on the Beachwood canvas as it is the wrong canvas, color and hardware. They are a good option for the price. WeeBee is a better product but the fasteners/hardware may not be available.

Can't comment on others except to say that I have no experience with them.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:20 am

My experience is the smaller the ad, the better the canvas.
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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:30 am

Chuck Lutz wrote:
Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:03 am
Currently Farrell Fox is making the most accurate canvas for your jeep. As of now, no Winter Tops are being offered that I know of. However, as noted above, Paolo Batisti is fabricating the "S" spring seats.

No on the Beachwood canvas as it is the wrong canvas, color and hardware. They are a good option for the price. WeeBee is a better product but the fasteners/hardware may not be available.

Can't comment on others except to say that I have no experience with them.
Am confused, you commented on the most accurate but couldn't comment on the others as you have no experience with them. :wink: You still are pretty good at Jeeps tho.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Congné » Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:09 am

Probably, there is not one best but some good ones.
Thanks for contributions guys.
Do not hesitate to comment with pictures and please mention the web links or business card of the suppliers that you know.

For me, what is important is the correct and authentic details & the color.

Regarding color, what do you think about that :
Dying woven cotton canvas, a natural product, is like staining a wood such as spruce. Spruce when cut from the core of the tree will stain lighter than when cut from the outer circumference....thus a headache for guys building kitchen cabinets trying to get all of the cabinet parts to match. The same goes for dying cotton. Cotton will take a dye in various ways depending on many factors such as the tightness of weave of canvas, thickness of the cotton, yarns and geographic source of the raw cotton. Resultantly the incoming shades of canvas vary quite a bit.

This makes me a bit frightened because I have the color that I wish in mind but it seems that we can have quite of lot of surprises once receiving our order.

At last, what about the market price for a cushion set and for a summer top ?

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by jkillelea » Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:25 pm

You might request a sample from each supplier of their cotton to see for yourself. I'm sure they would do it.

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Congné » Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:46 pm

Will do
Already received a sample from Beachwood and from John & Mary
Will chase the other ones

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Old Pal
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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Old Pal » Thu May 07, 2020 2:05 am

Does anybody know what canvas is being used on MVPA award winning GPWs? I’m looking for the most accurate for a script. I’ve tried emailing Farrell Fox to see if he’s still doing canvas with no response.

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:23 pm

As Farrell Fox and Batisti canvas are at the top end of the price range (you get what you pay for), and since neither has been selling huge numbers of product, odds are slim that either will be found on the last MVPA show winners.

WeeBee has been around for a hella long time and has a superior product to Beechwood according to the above posters.

The Worthings are in the UK so shipping to the USA is greater but they have a very well thought of product.
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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by 70th Division » Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:12 pm

Hello,

I have a WeeBee made in USA top on my GPW.
Could not be happier, it is real nice and fit perfectly onto a basically unrestored GPW.
The olive drab color looks perfect, and it smells real nice :D

I was so impressed that I ordered 2 more for my other GPW and MB, and I also
ordered a top for my unrestored M38A1.
The box came recently and I haven't opened it yet, but I am confident of the quality details.
The first top fits nice and secure on the early type windshield studs and stays on fine when driving.

I recommend them, and will buy more tops from them !
Made in the USA by them and all materials made the USA !
$360 for this early 6 strap top, and $350 for the 5 strap top fitted for the gas can on rear.
( plus actual shipping )
canvas1.jpg

This picture is is the direct Florida sun !!
The canvas is naturally darker, actually the perfect original shade !!
canvas2.jpg
The top section is made from 1 piece of canvas, as originals were, and they come treated with Canvac
preservative. For the price it can not be beat, and is so well made and stitched and is built to original specifications.
You will not ever be unhappy with these WeeBee tops.
I usually use my air compressor to blow the trail dust off the canvas :D
This top has been on this jeep since last July 4th, 2019.
canvas4.jpg
canvas5.jpg
canvas6.jpg
canvas7.jpg
canvas10.jpg
I took this inside pictures with a flash on the canvas is darker
canvas9.jpg
canvas8.jpg
(I also ordered a set of front seat cushions from weebee with the zipper bottoms, and put 1 WW2 Army blanket in each one of them, with the thinner foam piece that comes with them.)

Very comfortable seat cushions with the blanket and foam insert, no springs, as the early ones did not have springs.

Once I get the other tops mounted I will add some pictures.

(The door safety strap is from JMP and is super nice,
and I ordered the shovel and axe strap from JMP via Ron.
JMP has the best straps in my opinion !)


Best Regards,

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by DDTrustee » Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:28 pm

If you want to sew your own or repair your own – you can buy the two different grades of canvas from the ORIGINAL SUPPLIER TO THE US ARMY IN WWII” The John Johnson Co. in Detroit. (moving to Romulus!?) No. 80 wet for seats and no. 100 dry for tops and side curtains etc. – all treated smells right is right – this site original manufacturer!

New address: John Johnson Company
15500 Oakwood Drive
Romulus, MI 48174
Phone
1-800-991-1394
1-313-496-0600
Fax
1-313-496-0252
Commercial Sales
sales@jjcompany.com
Government Sales
govtsales@jjcompany.com
reenacting and WWII history

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Congné » Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:18 pm

Hi guys,

After long investigations, I finally selected TheLongOliveDrabLine in Italy for the set of cushions seats (with springs for my MB Oct 43).
I will need to select a vendor for the summer top...

Paolo Batisti in Italy for the seats got my preference. Easier because in Europe - fine - but also because I was confident in getting the very best, or more humbly said, an EXCELLENT product.
I received my order quite fast (about 1 month) and finishing is like perfect. Amazing job, at least for me.
The seats have been treated with Canvak and I am sure they will stay waterproof for a very long time.
They will get an old look and they will shine a bit with time (like the good leather).

In the meantime, I’ve started another work on my Jeep, going to remove the body, change the rear panel and weld the triangular crosspiece on the chassis.
Therefore, unfortunately, I need to wait a bit for installing my seats. But promised, I will upload some pics for you guys, once mounted on the Jeep.
Pics attached show you already the product just exited from its packaging. I hope the specialists you are will recognize the amazing craftsman’s work.

My next focus is going to be soon... the painting. So many threads on it. I need to investigate.... again and again, but my target is authenticity, genuine parts, great look, in honor of those who liberated our beloved France !
Attachments
C4209630-EDC0-46F2-BBB0-5C2B505A884B.jpeg
3A3F2ED1-46C5-41D6-BDA8-3058B9100968.jpeg
C5578E36-96D6-478F-93E0-2C7CE9B898C2.jpeg
13F2776E-93C4-4782-9D94-6D64EF64C218.jpeg

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:04 pm

I also have new MB seat cushions by Paolo, Am more than pleased with the quality and workmanship.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Congné » Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:14 pm

Hi Joe,
Happy to hear that from you. That’s really a nice work Paolo makes.
The unique surprise for me was that the seats do not smell at all, or just a little bit ! I thought I would declare the war to my wife who does not like the smell, but peace is still at home... (?)
What about yours ?

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Re: Genuine or "best" Canvas for top and seats

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:49 am

My wife supports this hobby 110%. She understands the smell of GI Canvas as long as I do not bring fresh canvas into the house.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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