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Thu Mar 13, 2003 5:55 pm

I thought i read a post on here about someone using a bubblewrap insulation product on their van. Has anyone used this to reflect/retain heat and if so where did you buy it/brand name? I'm thinking about doing this on my 73 bay. Thanks

Fri Mar 14, 2003 5:44 am

I can't help you with the bubble wrap. Several people I know just use house-type pink fiberglass on the roll. They cut strips and stuff them in gallon zip-lock bags, squeeze the air out and fill the voids in the panels. I know this method works great and is cheap. But you have to work with fiberglass, that's the drawback. Dave

Fri Mar 14, 2003 6:05 am

What happens when that house-type pink fiberglass gets wet? I would think that as long as the insulation you install doesn't get wet, your okay. just a thought.

Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:02 am

The bubble wrap that I think your talking about is aluminum covered bubble wrap. I am going to use it to insulate my bus because the R factor is better than fiberglass, it does not hold water like fiberglass, and it's super easy to apply. You can pick it up at Lowes , they are a national distributor for it.

It's Like these
http://www.ancoproductsinc.com/bubble_wrap/bubble.php

http://www.astro-foil.com/

It can also be used as a vapor barrier if you apply it correctly

Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:29 am

found another link that shows a guys installation of the bubble wrap........

looks great to me

http://www.nateswaterart.com/vw/camper_interior/interior_prep/

Fri Mar 14, 2003 8:30 am

First of all type in heat rust and noise on google and go to the page on insulating. If you compress fiberglass insulation that pretty much deystroys the insulating properties. the air between the fibers is very important!

Fri Mar 14, 2003 1:40 pm

Hey travis thanks for the links, thats the stuff I was looking for.

Fri Mar 14, 2003 4:08 pm

The ziplock would protect it from getting wet(although there is no such barrier inside a westy with factory installed fiberglass insulation), but the point about compression is a good one that I hadn't given prior thought to. When its time to re-insulate my 78 I will explore all avenues including the bubble wrap. Dave

Fri Mar 14, 2003 7:19 pm

Make sure you seal up the panels with something that will prevent rust! I've read about por-15 never used yet. The inside of the panels will condense any moisture and rust through but you won't see it until it comes through the paint! I actually checked this on my 78 the other day and sure enough wet wet wet. I would definetely check out that site called "heat rust and noise in vw's" (I'd put the link but not sure how to do that yet)

Sat Mar 15, 2003 11:57 am

http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex/