TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Jul 25, 2003 9:37 am

I have a 78 westfalia that needs a complete fiberglass refinishing and restoration possibly a new fibergalss coating. I was thinking of maybe getting it sprayed with rhino liner bedliner for trucks? I knew i whould ask you what i should do to restore my poptop before making any decisions.
Please hep me out with your suggestions, it would be much appreciated.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:33 pm

If your top is that rough, you would be ahead to just replace it. There are several tops for sale here and on other bus/westy sites, and some are fairly cheap. Rhino coating is thick and has a textured surface rather than the smooth gloss of your stock top. It will also add weight which could lead to other problems. As for refinishing your top, you might check into body shops that specialize in vettes because of their experience with fiberglass. Just my .02, but I think you might be better off to look for a good used one. There are plenty of people parting Westy's out, and some are very reasonable. Just try to find one near you or the shipping cost could be a killer for something that big!

Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:34 am

i had mine plastic media blasted, then used glass filler to smooth it..any way you look at it a late westy top is a bitch to take off and put on...

Mon Jul 28, 2003 1:47 pm

The Rhino-type spray would be pretty pricey, and like JDawg said it will add a bit of weight depending on how thick it is applied. Also, it will make replacing the top seals a major b!tch. I'd figure it'd cost in the $~400 range, too.

There are some marine products out there that are made for restoring fiberglass, you may want to look into that. I have no personal experience with it though, but have heard some people rave about the results, although their tops were in decent shape and just needed some attention.

As a last resort to replacing, you can look into the white textured roll-on paint that is rubberized for the roofs of mobile homes. Home Depot, places like that sell it. It won't last forever, and it can become a good place for dirt and moss to accumulate, but it's an option.

Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:30 pm

if the gelcoat is just faded and chalky, go to a nearby marina/boatyard and find out what they use for buffing fiberglass boat hulls. get out your step ladder, cover the metal surfaces of your bus with dropcloths, fire up the buffer and then go to town.

Mon Jul 28, 2003 9:28 pm

Just pretend it's your OVERHEAD CORVETTE and give it the proper treatment! I did 66Split's Westy top last month and the surface was pretty crummy. I didn't do a full perfectly smooth job, as the desire by the owner wasn't there, but regardless--- Fresh paint on the top would make even a course bumpy surface look MUCH better!
Also, another friemd of mine taped some plastic down the gutters to the ground and scuffed the top of his 74 Westy... used good rattle bomb paint. Looks good three years later!
Good Luck!