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Project Details

Fabric 1

#4 (24oz) Cotton Duck Canvas Fabric
Producer/Manufacturer: Big Duck Canvas
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

Clear Vinyl 20 Gauge / -20 Degree Cold Crack
Producer/Manufacturer: Rochford Supply
Primary Use: Window

Fabric 3

Stainless Snaps - Button / Socket
Producer/Manufacturer: Rochford Supply
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Fabric 4

Anefil Poly T-135 Thread
Producer/Manufacturer: American & Efirid, LLC.
Primary Use: Thread

Fabric 5

#10 YKK Double Pull
Producer/Manufacturer: YKK Zippers
Primary Use: Zipper

Please describe the project specifications

For this vintage snowmobile it was very basic as to what the customer was wanting us to do. Simply, when the customer came into the shop he was looking to replace the canvas that the snowmobile was born with. With this snowmobile being a 1962 Artic Cat 500, the original canvas was over 60 years old. He wanted to replace the canvas to the original look of the snowmobile. It was important to the customer that we duplicated the window size, window placement, zipper size and zipper placement; in the effort to keep everything as original looking as possible. He made it very clear that the snowmobile was mainly a show sled and vintage was key.

What is unique or complex about the project?

When this project walked through the door we knew that we wanted to have the opportunity to work on it from step one. Reason being, it was a very unique job to our shop. With that being said we also knowingly had two disclaimers in our heads. One, we very rarely work on full enclosures. Two, we primarily work on the marine side of the industry and will have to do some research to replicate the originality. After doing our d & d we were able to track down original paperwork that showed basic fit, restrainment and construction of the enclosure. The original fabric was similar to that of a natural colored military canvas. Almost like a waxed canvas. For this job we went with a 24 oz. natural tone cotton canvas, as it best replicated weight, texture and color of the original. Since we live where temperatures can drop well below zero it was important to use a clear vinyl with the maximum cold crack rating possible. As far as restraints, we were only allowed to use the existing snaps that were on the machine prior. Yes, we could update the snap to a self-drilling stainless snap, but that was all. So for restrainment it was a bit challenging, especially around the front, above the window. Since there were no snaps above the window we created a hemmed pocket that would hold 1" aluminum flat bar that was formed to the curvature of the window line. A few wrinkles later we completed the full enclosure for this 1962 Arctic Cat 500 and the customer has turned several heads in the vintage category at his snowmobile shows.

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