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KevinA
New Zealand
681 Posts |
 Posted - 21/07/2024 : 11:05:58
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Is anyone up to date on the best on the best option for hood fabric? I've always been a fan of Wigan weave- stows so much nicer than the thicker Double Duck but looks much the same when up. The cost saving was useful too. I can sew Wigan easily on my sewing machine, but Duck just wants to fight me
These days though very few places sell Wigan, and at Woolies for example, it's actually more expensive than Double Duck which just seems wrong.
Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom to help steer me in the right direction? Is there a good source of Wigan, or even a good alternative? |
Edited by - KevinA on 21/07/2024 11:06:59 |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6316 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2024 : 11:14:33
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I’m a Wigan man myself, Kevin, for exactly the reason you give- it’s much easier to stow than double duck. The alternative is to use solution dyed acrylic fabric such as Haartz Stayfast. Have a look at this article - https://www.triple-mregister.org/uploads/retro/J-type_hood.pdf - where I set out the pros and cons of the various options.
Simon J
J3437 |
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g waiting
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2024 : 20:45:50
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Hi Kevin,
Mohair from Martrim is the one to go for, looks and handles like Wigan, but crucially does not shrink, fade or disintegrate after 2 years like Wigan.
Currently priced at £50/m. I have used it many times, it is excellent.
Garry |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6316 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2024 : 21:06:59
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The choice of hooding material is a very personal one but I’d just like to say that the Wigan hood, side screens and full length tonneau cover which were made for my car in 2013 have not shrunk, faded or disintegrated since then. Perhaps there are different qualities of Wigan?
Simon J
J3437 |
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g waiting
United Kingdom
736 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 07:20:13
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Perhaps so Simon, I stopped using it 30 years ago for the reasons stated.
Garry |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6316 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 08:56:00
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Maybe the quality has improved since then, Garry? I recall that the beige/fawn Wigan was probe to disintegrating and as far as I know, still isn’t readily available today. There was a plan to make some in the US about ten years ago but I don’t know if that came to fruition. But certainly my black Wigan weather equipment is like new after more than ten years.
Simon J
J3437 |
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Oz34
United Kingdom
2628 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 09:31:11
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While there is no sign of shrinkage etc on my mohair hood after, as I recall, about 7 years, the trimmers did advise me to keep the hood erect whenever the car was not in use, specifically to avoid such.
Dave |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6316 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 10:01:34
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Of course it’s not actual 'mohair'. 
Simon J
J3437 |
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Ian Bowers
United Kingdom
952 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 11:12:48
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Are you sure, Simon, and if not, then what is it?
A search turned nothing but information on the use of the hair fibre from the angora goat.
Ian Bowers
OD 6791
J3 3772 |
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Bruce Sutherland
United Kingdom
1588 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 13:00:02
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As a retired motor car development engineer, I suggest that a modern purpose-designed hood fabric like Haartz Stayfast would be best: https://www.haartz.com/products/stayfast
Bruce. (PB0564) |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6316 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 15:25:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Ian Bowers
Are you sure, Simon, and if not, then what is
Ian,
I looked back at my notes and emails from when I was researching that article on J2 hoods as I had been in touch with Doug Haartz of the Haartz Corporation who make these materials. I see from my correspondence with him that we were referring to solution dyed acrylic fabric. For some strange reason this are known in Britain (but nowhere else) as 'mohair'. However, it bears no resemblance to the expensive hood material which used genuine mohair and which was to be found on vehicles like Silver Ghosts and such like. As you say, mohair is made from the hair of the Angora goat.
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Sutherland
As a retired motor car development engineer, I suggest that a modern purpose-designed hood fabric like Haartz Stayfast would be best: https://www.haartz.com/products/stayfast
I’m not sure what relevance being a retired motor car development engineer has when it comes to choosing a fabric for one's hood but as I recall, Bruce, you are already in possession of a suitable length of, I think, Stayfast (?) so that might explain your enthusiasm for it?
Simon J
J3437 |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 16:02:29
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| Well, I thought Mohair was something to do with endurance running, but it's perhaps best that I "duck out" of this one? |
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LewPalmer
USA
3284 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2024 : 16:24:00
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And I thought it was the hair of the Mo animal.(which is available "no Mo"). (sorry)
Lew Palmer
PA1169, NA0651 |
Edited by - LewPalmer on 22/07/2024 16:24:27 |
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Blue M
United Kingdom
1477 Posts |
Posted - 23/07/2024 : 12:08:30
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When you look at period photos the hood material looks thin and wrinkly. Tent canvas?
Ian |
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Oz34
United Kingdom
2628 Posts |
Posted - 23/07/2024 : 13:05:17
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It was bound to be cheap & cheerful!
Dave |
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coracle
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 23/07/2024 : 13:11:25
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| Hence the "laugh lines." |
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Topic |
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Hood Fabric
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