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Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:54 am

Hi All, what are the best options today for replacement door panels, including the sliding door and side fixed panel and 2 real quarters (i have 2 good original real quarter panels)? I know from my reading, this has been a fun topic, but wondering how it is now? I'm having my headliner done, after the bus has sat for 8 years after buying a house and having 2 kids. Time for priorities!! The ones I purchased 14 years ago did not hold up well when they got wet and the material unattached from the inside, but they looked pretty good.

Has anyone gone all ABS? Any pics to share? Wait for NOS or good old stock and grow old in the process?

Thanks any advice is appreciated.

Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:44 am

TMI http://www.tmiproducts.com/

Sewfine https://sewfineproducts.com/

Coat the backs of the panel with
Rust-Oleum Never wet.
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/neverwet/neverwet-kit
Varathane
Thompson's water seal

Make sure to install the Vapor barrier. Vapor my ass, river barrier.
Don't forget the flaps inside the openings.
Vapor Barrier Replacement How-To

Good luck
Tcash

Picture of your bus would be cool
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/faq.php?mode=gallery

Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:36 pm

Sorry Tcash - I can tell you from first hand experience ( dealing with it after - not living thru it), those vapor barriers are no match for river water (and the corresponding mud).

Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:44 pm

Thanks for the tips on treating the inside, have not thought of that. Very helpful with a sunroof bus.

Anyone know of anyone using ABS and covering it?

I believe I'd used wolfsburg in the past, do they make their own or resell? I'll check out the other makers as well.

Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:27 pm

andrewtf wrote: Sorry Tcash - I can tell you from first hand experience ( dealing with it after - not living thru it), those vapor barriers are no match for river water (and the corresponding mud).

Im glad you can joke about it now.
The only thing that would have saved your door panels is a flotation device.
:lol:
Tcash

Wed Jul 18, 2018 11:01 am

Has anyone seen these panels, http://www.busdepot.com/211867015b , in person and how they compare to originals? I have 2 original rear quarter panels, and would take the risk finding the 2 middle panels in good used condition if these panels match original well.

I did figure out I had TMI before, but since I did not install the vaper barrier I can be blamed for their short lives. And at this point likely to use TMI again, the lines make it more like stock vs sewfine.

Wed Jul 18, 2018 11:48 am

Yes I have a set in my Bus. The quality is excellent! They are the closer to the originals that you will find. TMI is garbage. Sew fine is supposed to be good quality but look nothing like the originals. The ones in my Bus are a little darker shade of brown than the originals. The mounting holes for the clips all line up as do the fresh air vents at the bottom, you only need to cut them from the back side which is already there if you have those vents otherwise they will work Bus doors without the vents. They are expensive but worth every penny in my opinion. I am extremely picky. PM me your email if you would like to see some pics of them installed.

Wed Jul 18, 2018 12:20 pm

Thanks Hoody. Sound promising. I've been off the scene for awhile now, but do good condition used panels ever show up, particularly the middle and sliding door ones? Kicking myself for NOT keeping the originals and attempting a rescue.

Wed Jul 18, 2018 12:45 pm

Sure they do. It’s the front doors that are impossible to find mainly due to moisture warping them or previous owners cutting holes for speakers. Send me a pick of what you are looking for with the correct color and I can make some inquiries. I have a Late Westy so I am not familiar with the ones you are trying to source.

Wed Jul 18, 2018 7:19 pm

This is one of the originals I have.

THis is TMI #12 Brown with the original from abovve.

Fri Nov 16, 2018 6:01 pm

scott_79bay wrote:
Has anyone gone all ABS? Any pics to share? Wait for NOS or good old stock and grow old in the process?

Thanks any advice is appreciated.

Lots of my customers has cover my ABS plastic panels over the +25 years I have been making them...