Tenax retrofit

Hey, Anyone out there retrofit their snaps with the tenax fastners? I'd like to do the swap when I have my upholster install a full tonneau and retrofit the top as well but am concerned about having to re-paint. Has anyone done this on their VS? Thought I'd ask before placing the order for the stuff....

Derek - assuming your VS has "snaps," retrofitting Tenax fasteners might involve more than you're willing to tackle for the end result.

Since the current "base" of your snap is much larger in diameter than the "base" of a Tenax fastener, you'll probably have to refinish the entire rim of your back deck.

The Tenax "base" is just a spine about one-fifth the diameter of the standard snap receiver. The Tenax do look cool, however.

Another consideration of the stock 'VS' fastener to the Tenax is along the dash. There is precious little room drilling and locating hardware with the windshield in place...

This is one of the areas of replicar stuff that should be easy but just isn't on a retrofit.

Thanks John, I was assuming the tenax has a smaller base than the VS snaps. I think I'll try removing a couple of snaps to see what's under there and if the snaps leave an imprint or damage the paint. Also, I may just order a few tenax fastners to see if they even fit in the existing snap hole. I agree with you and think having the tenax is a cool look.

Paul, I don't currently have a full tonneau so the installation of the hardware on the dash would be new. I'm not doing the work, but was told that it wasn't difficult to install the hardware along the dash.

Derek

Derek,

Let me know how the Snap and/or Tenax installation work out for you. I was and have been thinking about doing the snap install for a tanneou (sp) cover myself. I don't want to remove the windshield. I'm not sure if there's enough space for a dremel tool to go underneath the dash.

I suppose one could measure the holes from the location of the central windshield/rearview mirror post from beneath. Do they make an angle drill small enough to work from above?

The snaps, whatever style, along the dash do need to be close up the windshield because there is a lot of flap,flap,flapping when you drive with one side closed up as I do.

I recently added snaps to the tops of the doors to try and 'help out' the dash snaps on the passenger side. Mine have worn down and the post closest to the windshield post doesn't keep my tonneau in place at speed. I'm forever reaching across and rebuttoning it...

It's a lot better now with the four additional snaps keeping the wind from getting underneath.

Oh, and make sure you know what is underneath where any drilling is going to go on. A lot of these cars have a big ol' steel bar running across that makes access from below a nuisance!

Paul or anyone,

I usually have the tonneau on and leave it on driving or sitting in the garage. I've noticed this year that it seems to have stretched a bit and sagging when at rest. Is there any remedy for the saggy condition other than Botox?

Not difficult if you remove the windshield (which is risky in itself). The "snaps" go very close to the base of windshield which, of course, is slanted back the wrong way! So guess you could use Demmel tool from above to make guide hole and then carefully drill final hole from below. Definately a pain. With painted car suspect you'd either have non-painted area or a scar --- CMC is factory color gelcoated so probably wouldn't be such a concern there.

May shrink a bit if you get it wet. My old MGC had a bar behind the seat from side to side that held the tonneau up a bit - you could try fabricating a similiar bar.

I take my tonneau and clip it to the rack on the VW and hose it down periodically. It dries in the sun and tightens up like an old snare drum.

Occasionally I squirt a little dishwashing soap on it and hit it with a broom and then hose it off. Like if I'm going to go anywhere with Dale. He hates it when I pass him and all that dust and dirt flies off my car onto his!

Hey guys,

Thanks for the tightning tips, will try it this weekend. Paul, when you fly by Dales car, does oil add to the patina on his car?

Although I would categorize my engine as a 'wet' engine (read seeps, weeps and blows some)if I keep it under 125MPH, not so much blow by.
It's those 3rd gear romps over 100 MPH that sort of leaves a bit of a vapor trail in my wake.

I ordered a couple tenax fastners from this site to test out:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/eagleday/tefage.html

They are quite pricey!

I should get them by next week and see how feasible it is to swap the tenax base with my current snap base. (what it looks like since the tenax base is smaller than the snap base as well as how the tenax holds into the existing snap hole in the glass.)

If it works without issues, I'll do the swap to tenax myself along the rim and leave the rest (work along the windshield) up to the upholster.


Derek

The test trial was a success. The tenax post base was only slightly smaller than the snap base, but with the included plastic washer, it will more than cover the base of the snaps (should there be a "ring" left in the paint).

Also the tenax fit securely in the existing holes. I'm doing the swap along the rear of the deck and letting the professionals deal with the hardware along the windshield.

here are some photos of the retrofit. i think it turned out great, a much cleaner look in my opinion, although pricy. the male fasterners came with some teflon type washers. attached are some photos.

Hey Derek!

Those Tenax tabs add a nice detail to your already cool ride - nice job! I'll bet you're happy with the way it turned out.

hey jim, yeah i do prefer the look. the tenax stud bases were a little smaller than the old snap bases so the washers compensate for the area and i'm pleased with how it turned out. thanks, derek

Derek,

In your photos the posts look brass colored instead of chrome. Are they?

I went to the website. Thanks for the link. Did you use the big head or small head version?

Now I want to replace my snaps.

Mike, they are TENAX 100, chrome plated.

Has anyone tried the Tenax fasteners from this place?

http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/list+upholstery+and+trimmings~cloth+fasteners~tenax/

They are a great deal cheaper than the place mentioned in an earliuer post. I am ordering enough to do my Speedster top and tonneau cover and it will cost me less than $150 for enough for both. Take a look, check it out.

Derek, that's a sweet-looking car you've got there. The fasteners look like they worked out well. Clever number plate, too.

Robert, Great find on that site, seems to be much less than the site i ordered through. I think the only difference is that mine are chrome plated over brass. The ones on the vintagecarparts site are nickle plated over brass.

Cory, thanks, it's been fun adding the personal touches.