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Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:58 pm

Hello! First of all, Im a new member and new Westy owner. Got a 71 Westy recently. Not in to bad shape, but definitely a restoration project. I'm a complete beginner and sure I will have many questions. I'll start with the wood around the interior of the poptop. Any ideas on how that is replaced It looks like it was originally glued in for the most part. I have a new canopy on the way (on delay, I guess BusDepot had a tornado come through their warehouse. They said everyone's OK. Best of luck to them getting things in order). I got the right sized wood (gonna replace with solid oak). The front arched piece might prove difficult but doable. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much. And as I said, I will have am million more questions. The poptop is last priority. Right now I want to get it mechanically sound and then worry about aesthetics. I'm in the middle of replacing all parts of rear brakes and will probably have some questions on that. Cheers!
Kyle

Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:56 pm

Welcome!

Have a look at these threads on the job: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200

Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:12 pm

Hello,
You may want to rethink the oak wood strips, it's pretty hard/dense. It may lead to issues with the staples for the canvas.

Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:46 pm

Angus II wrote: Hello,
You may want to rethink the oak wood strips, it's pretty hard/dense. It may lead to issues with the staples for the canvas.

I was going to say the same thing. I wouldn't use Oak. Use a softer wood.

Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:24 am

I did definitely think about the hardness of the oak and am reconsidering. I'm a woodworker and am planning on a custom oak interior so I thought it would match. The interior furniture is all there, so I'm torn between original or custom. I think this bus will be with me for awhile (not going for resale value, but life long kick ass value), so I'm gonna do custom. Will check the other thread. Thanks much for the links. I work 14 hour graveyards, so between work and actually working on the bus I dont have time to be searching for stuff. Cheers!
Kyle

Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:09 am

Did ours too.

More than wood though.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=709845&highlight=

Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:43 am

Kymar wrote: I think this bus will be with me for awhile (not going for resale value, but life long kick ass value), so I'm gonna do custom.
Cheers!
Kyle
That's the greatest description of using and enjoying a van/bus I've heard! :D \:D/
You're gonna have a great time with it, Kyle.