Restoring Camper Top FAQ

bugger101 · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:36 am Post subject:

did you guys sand the top any before painting,is so what grit did you use?
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BusterBrown · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:47 am Post subject:

VDubTech · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:

1977_L63H_P27 · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject:

maximan1 · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:06 pm Post subject:

320 grit the whole top
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dubdubz · Samba Member Joined: March 01, 2007 Posts: 38

I have a poptop resto ongoing right now - the rear roof wood is rotten, the sides are ok but seem a little 'loose'

the rear replacement timber [lumber?] does it need to be any particular wood variety?
also what glue is to be used ? - I intend to fiberglass the sides to the roof aswell....but this thread mentions glueing also?
My 68 roof is a smooth one so is there any benefits from adding extra strengthing on the sides [ there is a couple of wedges fiberglassed ] I figured a couple more may help?

the westy canvas I have is a 2nd hand one and is a good condition gowesty one.

I was intending to install in reverse, ie do the bottom first then take the fabric to the top so I can get the tight/smooth finish. I'm struggling to see if you do it as you're supposed to..how you can attach the top then drop it down and secure under the metal fixing strips AND still ensure that with the plastic bead in the correct place that the fabric is not saggy.
Or to put it another way how do you either stop any fabric excess or allow for it? As if you make an error and fix the top and it's 'loose' there is no neat way to take up any slack on the bottom?

[I appreciate there is a search button, but felt the contributors to this thread new their 'onions' and it is on topic, plus I'm from the UK Laughing

edit I will be continuing to search canvas replacement topics aswell]

peaceful warrior · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:04 pm Post subject:

dubdubz · Samba Member Joined: March 01, 2007 Posts: 38

Thanks PW, a email has been sent.

It looks like a lengthy job, but one I think I can manage...the tent install I'll reassess after looking at the article!

many thanks

I'll put a short before/during/after picture roll as it's relevant to this thread.

My 68 is a one year only smooth westy top so it is worth restoring....

dubdubz · Samba Member Joined: March 01, 2007 Posts: 38

thank you very much for the article - my query still lies with picture 17

where on the wood do you position the tent fabric piping [gowesty tents have these]

this rough sketch may help to decipher what I mean?!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

the original appears to be 1/2" from the bottom as seen here...

in real terms there is the ability to 'pull' more of the material up and over the tack strip, so perhaps the end of the fabric is below the wood [although you would see this from the outside]

OR is it as simple as the tack strip is tight against the top, so whatever the depth of the tack strip....the end material should be inline with that and as per the bottom the 'piping' be on the bottom side being caught by the tack strip....

apologies for the slight detour but I still think it's relevant?

ps notice the rot in the plywood Sad

in the 2nd pic

71whitewesty · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:07 am Post subject:

Copy just the way the original was done. Piping goes on the bottom for the aluminum tack strips to grab. Do the top first, then the bottom. The hand drawn picture looks right to me.

peaceful warrior · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:05 am Post subject:

I believe that is correct, that you want the staple strip as close to the top as possible. This will be the highest point when the top is opened. I will look at my 68 and confirm that!

BTW, something I did on my 68, was to get a front hook set up from a 71. It helps with the front center of the poptop not lifting up while driving.
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bugger101 · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:21 pm Post subject:

well guys i just did my top and it looks GREAT. i just took a stiff brush to it and some spray bleach, then i sanded with 220. and brushed on some rustoleum

before

during

after

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75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

dubdubz · Samba Member Joined: March 01, 2007 Posts: 38

good work bugger101

ok it's been reasonably epic but we're there - here is some photos

I'll add captions

starting canvas

rotten rear former

rear former being removed

end of rear former showing cracks in fibreglass matting

delaminated ply middle former

all the padding chocks had their matting broke somewhere

rear former completely out ready for clean up

front canvas former fibreglassed in

rear former fibreglass detail

woohoo new canvas on and up

inside - we followed the advice on here and the tack strip is where it's supposed to be

and another

notchboy · Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

I started in on my 77s pOp tOp. Pulled the front piece-little sanding-painted. I bought all the new goodies both function and decoration (rubber&stickers). Ill finish off the rear when I get time this week. Then shell be good for awile I hope Wink

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Krautski · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject:

Rustoleum, a year and a half later.
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werksberg · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:37 pm Post subject:

notchboy · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for taking the time to make these convenient.
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waggoner · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:11 am Post subject:

i have just finishe restoring my luggage rack on my 71. i removed it, pressure washed it, sanded it with 220grit, rinsed it then applied 2 coats of interlux brightside, wet sanded, final coat of interlux. it looks pretty good.
i purchased the interlux at west marine (chain store) i also purchased some stainless nuts and bolts from them as i have removed the metal cross bars from the luggage rack and have replaced them with wood. the wood was coated 4x with man-o-war polyurethane.

Batan · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:27 am Post subject:

Top related question, my small Rivi pop top has a dent in it up top. It's shallow but large. Is it possible to pull dents out of fiberglass, if you push it in, it will just pop back out.
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71whitewesty · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:45 am Post subject:

I'll jump in on this one Batan. I don't think there's anyway to pull a dent out of fiberglass.
Maybe you could build the area up with more fiberglass and resin but my guess would be either run it as is or look for another top.
I'm basing my humble opinion on lots of surfboard related repairs. Smile


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