Direction of Lift the Dot fasteners

[FrodoAZ]

Just getting around to fitting the Canopy and installing the Lift the Dots.

When facing the windscreen from the front, should the "Dot" on the Lift the Dot face to the side, toward the glass or toward the top?
Cheers!

Jon

[Tim]

They need to face toward the front so that the wind can get under them and unclip them.

Tim

[FrodoAZ]

Great, I'll face them toward the front.

[Newie]

The clue is in the name Frodo. You need to be able to "lift the dot" to unclip them 

As Tim has hinted at, they can apparently also come unclipped with the action of the wind on the windscreen, although I've never personally found that to be a problem. Mine are fairly tight though.

Newie

[FrodoAZ]

Thanks, Newie!
I have seen photos of them in all positions. I was thinking of placing half pointing left and half pointing right. Easier to lift the DOT from the sides.

Jon

[FrodoAZ]

For my first sewing project, I decided to go with a Bimini style top. Used Lift the Dots on the windscreen and snaps on the rear of the rollbar. Fabric is Sunbrella Marine Canvas. The use of sailmakers patterning material made designing the 2-panel top a breeze. Should keep the seats cooler in the Nuevo Mexico summers. Jon




Clamps helped pull the fabric tight when positioning the rear snaps.

[Terry]

Hi,

That looks nice, well done.

Are the Snaps you used on the back what I would call a press stud?

On my first bimini style hood I used press studs on the roll bar but found the pressure from the wind buffeting would rip them off. Mine was into a alloy bar so it was a little easier for the screws or rivets to get torn out.

Terry

[cheezle]

Very nice ,I do like the red trim 

[Halfpint]

Looks great Jon, well done.
I see you put the dot to the side  , Im guessing they unclip just fine, never tried it that way before ( my upholsteres anyway  .
Cheers
HP

[FrodoAZ]

Terry,
Thanks! I used "hard action" snap sockets, which are harder to unsnap and riveted a cloth-to-cloth standard stud to an alloy tube. I sewed a length of polyester webbing on the tail of the top for reinforcement and attached the buttons and snap sockets thru the canvas and webbing. So far, no problems at 90 KPH. But it does flap a lot at speed.

I got the fabric and fittings from Sailrite.com. Prices were very reasonable.
Jon

[FrodoAZ]

HP,
Thanks! I figured sideways installation might be a bit more secure. Sewing the top was easier than expected. Placing the LTD's and snaps in the correct locations was a bear.
Jon