New Life Canvas saga

1945 - 196*, Willys CJ series, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the post war jeep.®
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Chuck Lutz
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:39 am

Life is too short to put up with bad service and poor communications. Go with the recommendations of those who were happy with the price, the product was correct and the delivery time was as quoted. There are several canvas producers...and the cost is relevant to the degree of perfection you are willing to accept..i.e., using more expensive hardware and more time-consuming construction will, as expected cost you a bit more.

However, incorrectly dyed canvas is, well...not acceptable nor is waiting for Hell to freeze over to get any response/contact with the mfger, let alone actually receive the finished product.

Remember that canvas products, like gauge restorations need some significant lead time so planning on when to pull the trigger on ordering those projects to be done should proceed your estimated finish date of the rest of the product so you aren't sitting on lawn chair cushions or are reduced to buying some el cheapo gauges just to get the initial startup of your rebuilt motor going. Plan Ahead on things like this you need to have done/provided by others who may not be working only on YOUR project or have any sense of urgency in completing it.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


Thundercat97
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Thundercat97 » Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:14 am

I just called New Life Canvas and the number is disconnected?? I called a few weeks ago to see how my order was coming along that was placed in Nov 2017.... is Mona still in business?

Update: as of 3:57 PM EST, the number is now working. I left another message to call me back - 3 in 3 months, we shall see.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Thundercat97 » Thu Apr 12, 2018 12:49 pm

Just spoke with Mona via Facebook. There was an issue with her phones today so she is still in business.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Apr 12, 2018 2:08 pm

I have faith in Mona, regardless of the wait.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Steve Webb » Thu Apr 12, 2018 2:27 pm

Yea and I am sure you ran your family business that way Joel.
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Apr 12, 2018 2:37 pm

Steve Webb wrote:
Thu Apr 12, 2018 2:27 pm
Yea and I am sure you ran your family business that way Joel.
Mona is in demand, and I am not one to criticize a business that produces an exceptional product. There are others that reproduce Jeep restoration parts that have an excessive lag time and I appreciate being blessed with something unique that is worth the wait.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Steve Webb » Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:38 pm

Then you don't give false time lines and you only do the amount of work you can handle. I can see you promising oil changes in 30 minutes or 3 months. And then telling people it is worth the wait. Let her route calls and inquires to you and see how cheerleader you would be from that.
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Thundercat97 » Fri Apr 13, 2018 7:19 am

Hi Joel,

In any business, whether one is busy or not, client service is key. I have seen her products on some friends MVs and so I decided to give her a try. Placed the order in early Oct (found the charge - I had thought Nov), she did state she was busy and in demand.... it would be 4-6 months out. I was ok with that but when i called at the 6 month marker and got no response back (after two calls), that isn't appreciated. Client service is the key to success. I look forward to getting my order soon and I am a reasonable person but not a push over.
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Thundercat97 » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:28 am

As usual per conversations I have had with others, I kept getting the run around as usual like they said I would. Been getting strung along for a month with noting.... sad!
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

Thundercat97
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Thundercat97 » Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:54 pm

Thundercat97 wrote:
Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:28 am
As usual per conversations I have had with others, I kept getting the run aroundl like they said I would. Been getting strung along for a month with nothing.... sad!
Rob

41 WLA Type II
42 Open Cab CCKW 353
43 Diamond T M3 Half-Track
57mm M1A2 Anti Tank Gun
1 Ton Ben Hur Trailer

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Jun 14, 2018 10:58 am

The problem is simple; with guys like Joel giving her five-star ratings, those who know nothing about canvas will place an order with NL. Then the crap hits the fan when it takes longer to deliver the product than it takes to deliver a baby....or to remodel a house.

If Joel would STOP lavishing praise on an obviously in-over-their-head company, perhaps Mona MIGHT just catch up and be able to complete and ship an order in two weeks or so which is about as long as I would accept being told the wait would take.

Ask out resident canvas supplier here on the gee, Farrell Fox, if he can make up the canvas you want and if he has the specs for the one you need and can make it, ask HIM how long his lead time is to delivery. While it may be a bit longer than a couple weeks or so, I think his delivery time will be closer to what he says it will be than this way of letting it go months and months ony to find out that if you become a big enough PITA, your order might actually get completed before Hell Freezes Over.

I just don't think approaching which order you tackle next should be based on continued communications with the buyer that tend to influence the next order to be completed using the "Whack-A-Mole" business model.

Look at it this way.....if New Life was making caskets and your Uncle Steve kicked the bucket and you ordered a casket for him and it wasn't delivered for 18 months you would be pretty pissed off too.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:03 pm

I have nothing but praise for the New Life Canvas products.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Steve Webb » Thu Jun 14, 2018 2:43 pm

Maybe she should give her contact information to you Joel and then you can coordinate with the customers. Like to see you run the PR side of the business.
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11

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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by Farrell Fox » Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:28 pm

[Post Deleted By Author]
Last edited by Farrell Fox on Sat Oct 26, 2019 12:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: New Life Canvas saga

Post by jpet » Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:59 am

If you want to make a civilian top, or you want someone to make one for you, there is a lot of information on this thread:

https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/make ... html#94052

This on mostly early style 2A top but lots of the information applies to 3A and 3B. There are lots of CAD drawings in the thread that can be used for patterns. I suggest you use your jeep's geometry and use the CAD drawings as a guideline.

If you are looking for an early style CJ2A top and you can't get satisfaction from one of the regular vendors, I can make your top for you.

Image

Image

.... you can have the conventional sewn in vinyl windows or I also make the original style steel frames with poly carbonate windows and rivets.

Image

I am a hobbyist and I do not wish to compete with the guys who are top makers for a living. I don't do military stuff for that reason. I am not as fast as Beachwood, but faster than NewLife. I respond to emails, phone calls and keep you in the loop.

I made the tops for Agrijeeps CJ2-06 and 09:

https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/cj1- ... tml#183393
MB 434418
MB 295645


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