Racing Suit Alteration Update

[DanStokes]

We talked about altering racing suits a while back and Joe Timney STRONGLY recommended that I send mine back to the manufacturer for mods. Doesn't take a brick house to fall on me!

So I just got the now-too-short-for-anyone-else pants back from G-Force. They did an excellent job and the whole deal was $40 (their minimum labor charge) + postage. It wouldn't have been much cheaper to do them locally and they look absolutely factory. It took less than 2 weeks from initially mailing them out until they showed up on the front porch this AM. So just send 'em in.

Dan

[Bob Holmes]

Nicely done Dan. I didn't even know they provided that servce. Great information.

[DanStokes]

Interesting tidbit I picked up from the G-Force website. They suggest that any patches (sponsor, etc.) be sewn on with cotton thread. I'm guessing that the idea is that the cotton will burn away quickly and the patches will just fall off rather than burning the wearer. That's a guess on my part but it is what they recommend. No patches on mine except the OEM G-Force stuff.

Dan

[garrell.770]

Can they do stretches or letouts to a drivers jacket?
Garrell

[DanStokes]

Can they do stretches or letouts to a drivers jacket?
Garrell

You'll need to phone them. I don't have their phone number written down but you can Google them for that. The guy you want is Jeremy S (they have more than 1 Jeremy) at extension 110. He sort of coordinates repairs and other labor jobs as opposed to sales. Basically he'll talk it thru with you and if it's something they can fix he'll have you mail it in and they'll call you with an estimate once they've seen it. Kind of difficult to give a good estimate until the garment is in their hands.

In the worst case they can sell you a new item without you having to buy the whole suit. I don't think they're listed that way but you can just buy a jacket or whatever you need.

Dan

[garrell.770]

I was just messing with you, sorry, I thought you would pickup on the stretches or letouts. I have actually lost over forty pounds that I had gained when I lived in a wheelchair, the weight was from massive doses of steroids because of breathing problems. I will bow out and let this become a serious tech. subject again, only about what, nine weeks to flag off!

Garrell

[Caveman Tony]

Cotton thread can burn, but wont melt.

Some threads are made of materials that can melt... which is way bad when you can't get said melting material off your skin.

Nomex thread would be great, but adds a lot to cost.

[garrell.770]

Know for a fact that any type nylon will melt not burn, and would not be advisable in a potential fire situation.

[DanStokes]

I have a lovely spool of red Nomex thread that I'll let go cheap. Never been used. IIRC, Nomex thread is about $10/spool + shipping and is readily available on the Internet. Yes, Nylon thread is a BAD THING on a fire suit.

Dan