Fitting poppers

[huwdm]

As a newbie to the Caterham world this is clearly a very very basic question but any tips might help me not to cock it up.
I need to fit a set of half doors from Soft Bits for Sevens.
This seems straight forward as it just means fitting some poppers aligned to the ones already on the car.
Tool has been provided but I need to make holes in the material.
Simple question is what is the best method for making holes in the material?
Then it seems just push through the popper, join it to the other part and using the tool provided, whack it with a hammer!!
Any hints/tips

[BertBert]

You have got it!

I use a bradawl to make holes in vinyl materials. If it's harder, plastic or ally, you'll need to drill.

You may find putting masking tape on the door where you are pressing it against the popper on the car helps get an imprint.

And as always, measure twice and cut once.

Bert

[Mclavert]

That sounds about right!

Best tool for making holes is, unsurprisingly, a leather punch. Available for less than £6 at Maplins, for example here http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=30606...

As always, measure twice, then measure again before making hole.

One tip if you want to match the position of a popper already on the car is to put a couple of layers of masking tape on the hood fabric - if you press this against the popper, you will get an imprint which you can then cut through (if you see what I mean).

All the best - Michael.

[Dave J]

a simple drill works for me

[Helluvaname]

Softbits supplied a tool (about 50mm long with a hollow end) with the popper kit included with a tonneau that I saw fitted recently. You sinply hit the tool with a hammer and it punches through the material - simples

[Jam3s]

Somthing to ask SBF7's the 2 top poppers need to be the longer version or you wont be able to get a good fixing

The top of the half door has a metal strip through so make sure you ask for the longer option

[BertBert]

Also on a half door are some of the poppers those "directional" ones? If so, it's important to get them on in the right place and orientation.

Bert

[Incorrigible]

Not the answer to your question, but lift studs (tenax studs) are much nicer, easier to fit and more secure

example

[huwdm]

Thanks for all the advice.
Fitted screens now - easier than I thought and they look very nice.