Turfing Question - Need consensus!!!

[StandupNation]

Hey all! I am getting ready to finish the turf on my 750SX build with footholds. I have a quick question though regarding my turf. Do I want to do the sides first, or the tray first? Basically do I want the Tray to but up against the side turf, or the side turf to but up against the tray turf. Does that make sense? lol. I am kind of at a loss, and just want to make sure I can get the longest life possible out of this turf job!

Thanks!

 

[whitca]

Sides and dash first, then tray underpad and turf. The tray turf will prevent the bottom edge of the side turf from lifting over time

 

[ChadGnarly]

I say tray 1st cuz dirt and water wont fet in the crack as easily

 

[StandupNation]

Sides and dash first, then tray underpad and turf. The tray turf will prevent the bottom edge of the side turf from lifting over time

This was my thought as well, especially becauase im really bad about digging into the sides.

Whats a good way to put pressure on the turf inside the footholds though?

 

[whitca]

^Cut your tray piece an 1/8" fatter than your template on both sides and nothing squeezes in. My first turf job was done bottom first and the sides had come unglued at the bottom before the season was done. I like a clean edge on the outside of the gunwale (most visible) so I template that edge and work from the outside in. Then you can cut excess and if it's crapped up it will hide with the underpad and tray turf.

 

[whitca]

This was my thought as well, especially becauase im really bad about digging into the sides.

Whats a good way to put pressure on the turf inside the footholds though?

Find something that fits in there and stuff it in. I've used waterbottles, rubber mallets etc. I usually don't concern myself with the turf in the tops of the hold too much. I go over inch with the rubber mallet once its stuck, just be careful doing this on the rails because if it slips it will tear the turf.

 

[StandupNation]

Find something that fits in there and stuff it in. I've used waterbottles, rubber mallets etc. I usually don't concern myself with the turf in the tops of the hold too much. I go over inch with the rubber mallet once its stuck, just be careful doing this on the rails because if it slips it will tear the turf.

Yea my main concern is the lip of the foothold that sits against your ankle. I have had some good luck with a heat gun to make the turf plyable. Just gonna really take my time on it.

 

[whitca]

Yea my main concern is the lip of the foothold that sits against your ankle. I have had some good luck with a heat gun to make the turf plyable. Just gonna really take my time on it.

Heat is key, too much and it will tear though.

 

[StandupNation]

Gotcha!

I used it on my chinpad a bit and it turned out pretty well. That and an abundance of clamps lol.

 

[Big Kahuna]

This was my thought as well, especially becauase im really bad about digging into the sides.

Whats a good way to put pressure on the turf inside the footholds though?

Honestly, if you allowed the contact to dry completely, the turf should stay......... That said, take newspaper and ball up and pack in there, but here is the think, once you fold the turf under and it touches, it does not need to come loose and then try and be stuck again...... Heat is your friend........ slow and steady pressure while tucking under.

 

[StandupNation]

Honestly, if you allowed the contact to dry completely, the turf should stay......... That said, take newspaper and ball up and pack in there, but here is the think, once you fold the turf under and it touches, it does not need to come loose and then try and be stuck again...... Heat is your friend........ slow and steady pressure while tucking under.

Thanks BK! Definately a great tip. I've got to figure out how to take the side template I've got and cut it to fit my Klowners still. I've been making lots of templates, my wife probably thinks the garage looks like an arts and crafts studio lol.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Make the template for just the top side, where you come down towards the footholds, cut long, trim, heat and stretch as you go, just dont use to much heat or to fast.

 

[hydrostyler]

I always do the tray first tight to the gunwales. Then the seam isn't as noticeable as you look into the tray. I always cut the gunwale turf a hair long and compress it into the tray turf as well.

Sent from my HTC6990LVW using Tapatalk

 

[StandupNation]

Hmm lol everyone seems kinda split on the subject.

 

[Roseand]

This year I'm gonna do gunwales first aha.

And I'm with BK, don't see the need for clamps shoving stuff in the holds to keep the turf from peeling off. I never had that issue and I went pretty deep into my holds so there was a lot of stress on the turf. But if you let your contact cement dry like you're supposed to,and you press hard enough, it sure as heck is not going to peel up. Contact cement is some pretty strong stuff..

 

[StandupNation]

This year I'm gonna do gunwales first aha.

And I'm with BK, don't see the need for clamps shoving stuff in the holds to keep the turf from peeling off. I never had that issue and I went pretty deep into my holds so there was a lot of stress on the turf. But if you let your contact cement dry like you're supposed to,and you press hard enough, it sure as heck is not going to peel up. Contact cement is some pretty strong stuff..

Thanks! I usually do two coats on the turf and let them dry until the sheen is gone, and it's no longer wet.

When you guys do your footholds, do you do like ALL of the inside of the footholds?

 

[Roseand]

Thanks! I usually do two coats on the turf and let them dry until the sheen is gone, and it's no longer wet.

When you guys do your footholds, do you do like ALL of the inside of the footholds?

Hmm. Well just make sure you press hard enough. I've never had a problem.

Yes. The goal is to do the gunwales and footholds all in one piece. Make sure you leave extra room to stretch into the holds. It'll be harder that way, but if you have to, you can leave a seam in the footholds.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[whitca]

Thanks! I usually do two coats on the turf and let them dry until the sheen is gone, and it's no longer wet.

When you guys do your footholds, do you do like ALL of the inside of the footholds?

Depends on the hold, I roll it in as far as possible before it tears or wrinkles up on itself. Then a relief seam is necessary but its in the top of the hold (above the laces/toes) where it won't be seen. Some holds work out nicely and require little work, others are a bit of a nightmare.

 

[StandupNation]

Depends on the hold, I roll it in as far as possible before it tears or wrinkles up on itself. Then a relief seam is necessary but its in the top of the hold (above the laces/toes) where it won't be seen. Some holds work out nicely and require little work, others are a bit of a nightmare.

Here is to hoping the Klowners aren't the "nightmare" holds lol.

 

[whitca]

Here is to hoping the Klowners aren't the "nightmare" holds lol.

Turfed a set of klowners in a square nose a few summers ago...it was cake. So far the Rok-R with enclosures was the biggest pain with the amount of underpad that went in that tray.