*Update* New information on Aero Papyrus material

[left_coast*9]

^^Stephens28 I really appreciate you stepping forward to share your quest for a nice AP-like vinyl. I too feel that the material sold by WW and Sew Fine is too dark/blue. I think Kens looks pretty good. Will be interested to see what you come up with! Replicating that white door panel material seems like it might be pretty difficult too?
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Jet City 1957 VW Oval Rag Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=408791
1965 Sea Blue Beetle Sedan
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=472827&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[campingbox]

[mstephens28]

Ok, I received a yard of vinyl that I believe is extremely close to the OG blue. It appears to have the correct pale tint as well as the sliver/metallic element. It seems to change color in different kinds of light (possibly because of the silver/metallic factor). In some light, it looks more greenish (similar to what the OG fades to). In other light, it looks much more like a shiny, light, silver blue. See photos below in different kinds of light, with faded and unfaded OG swatches placed on the vinyl for reference.

Before taking the plunge and ordering enough for the whole bus, I'd be interested in some opinions. Has anyone seen NOS Aero Papyrus, and did it look green at all (as this vinyl does in certain light)? Or is the greenish color in the OG simply the result of age/fading? Most of the pictures I've seen of very clean aero papyrus appear blue, not green, but I'm not sure if photos tell the whole story.

[Split 66']

Steel was the original color and was more blue and silver, than green. I have a few really clean scraps of the Steel color, to compare it to my faded Steel, which is almost completely green now.

That's the toughest part, when you have clean OG panels, do you match the original Steel, or the faded green?

That new material you have looks like it's right in between NOS and faded. Might be a good choice for blending in with OG panels.
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"OG = Original German" -- TheSamba.com dictionary

[j.pickens]

Looks about as good as you can get to me.
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Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner

[mstephens28]

Thanks for the replies. I tend to agree with Split 66'. I think that the OG steel color is pale blue with a silver sheen to it (no hint of green until it fades). This would make sense with the exterior color of the bus as well, as I think the faded green sort of clashes with the exterior blue.

Unfortunately the new vinyl I have is slightly more "sea foam" than blue...dissappointing considering that the paleness of the color and the silver element are very close. It might be a good choice for matching new seat covers with faded OG panels, but I'm leaning toward a whole new interior. I'll keep searching...

[d-rick]

The grey/ blue lines were not screen printed on the door panel portions of the aero papyrus material.

This is what it looks like when separated

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1959 mango-trailerbus
1962 single cab *1/2
1966 13 window
1967 panel/camper
1968 cig-panel *1/2
1968 passenger bus *1/2
1969 beetle
1969 dormobile
1978 sage green Westy
1990 DoKa
2002 Golf TDI

[blackdog1999]

After almost 2 years of work developing the material, we now have the first run.

The Steel Blue vinyl & piping material is right on color & textures.

The ribbed material is made a little different to original. We did not want to have to deal with the main down fall of the original material. That is the fact that it started falling apart almost right away after being used. Our material has a very deep rib/groove to give it that correct original look. We have both a blue ribbed material for the door panels & a very light gray ribbed material for the seat covers. The gray ribs give the same appearance as the original cut material but eliminated the issue discussed above.

Seat cover kits & pre-cut door panel material kits will be offered here on Samba in the next couple of months.

We will also have Aero Balearic for the Lotus White Buses some time next year.

All 4 pieces together

Door panel set

Seat cover set

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Home of the one true split Bus Motorhome

[Walk Thru KO]

Wow!! That looks super good!! That took some work.......

[scottvw]

Great news. Hopefully they don't cost an arm and a leg. I'm not sure if I could get away from my Mexican blankets after the past few years of using them.....haaaa. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[d-rick]

Nice work,looks good.
Looking forward to seeing these become available
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1959 mango-trailerbus
1962 single cab *1/2
1966 13 window
1967 panel/camper
1968 cig-panel *1/2
1968 passenger bus *1/2
1969 beetle
1969 dormobile
1978 sage green Westy
1990 DoKa
2002 Golf TDI

[jeffavatech]

great news !!!!!! I will be looking for the seat and door material. Now..if we can find the correct mats, (seat, front floor and cargo area).

[shelltoes]

Good work!
On a side note I have a genuine blue mat I could let go if anyone is interested?
Rear one.

[blackdog1999]

Here is the first test fit of the Aero Papyrus seat covers. Front Walk thru & short middle seat. Color & look is very nice. We are still working on the heat pleats. Rear seat is original.

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Home of the one true split Bus Motorhome

[BarryL]

100% kickass.

[Z]

That looks really, really good. Makes me wish i still had a SeaBlue bus!

[nyr208]

Will you be making covers for a non walk through bus?
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66 13 window bus (sold)
57 beetle

[Split 66']

[blackdog1999]

Yes, we will make all the seat configurations.

I do not have a website yet. But you can contact me directly.
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Home of the one true split Bus Motorhome

[ozinbc]

Will you mail out swatches?
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the invisible and the non existent look very much alike