Vanagon T3 Westfalia roof renovation w/ solar

[puchfinnland]

So again, no pictures of Painting

Awlgrip "oyster white" with G3013 flattening agent to dull it down a bit.
Used a 4" foam roller, 3 coats, I decided to roll it to replicate
the original GELCOAT texture, if you even seen a roof that is super shiny
and no texture , it shows every bump,warp, and defect.

this is called "hull Liner" and it is PERFECT for this application,
100% Polypropylene very stretchy, even has better insulation factor

you can also Google "hull Liner" for other vendors

Shout out to

Quote:

87vanwes

who gave me the idea from his incredible build!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=180
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[puchfinnland]

At this time I installed the top seals, and taped up my new blue edge to prevent overspray from glue

Before covering the top, I temporarily installed the skylight seal, ran a pencil around it and then taped the edge so I knew where to cut the carpet after its installed.

I used 2 full cans 3M #90 adhesive. this is a 2 person job,
do not cut to fit as the material is very stretchy,
mark off like 2ft lengths with pencil, only attach 2 feet of length at a time


start in the corner and work back and across to your 2 foot mark
your helper will hold the material away from the surface as you rub and contour to fit
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[puchfinnland]

Please note I used one edge back as the guide and the other side was trimmed after

tools I used were putty knife, ball end of screwdriver, and tools to rub down the corners, carpet knife and scissors.

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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[puchfinnland]

I did pause half way to trim the other edge,

Fit the latch, the paddles will rub on the material,
I marked an area, cut it out with a knife and glued in a flat fabric
this is important as the latch must operate smoothly

Back to my Solar install, I drilled holes thru the edge and inserted brass
all-thread, wires are outside the tent, I chose to re-enter the tent in the back
I will drill hole in the plywood in the back and keep the cables inside the vehicle

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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[puchfinnland]

I installed my GW tent as per instructions, only note I will say is mark the top and bottom middles of the fabric before mounting

Ready for my friends to help it back up



A view from Inside

[/b]
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[puchfinnland]

DONE!

My services are available, if anyone is serious,
Love to start a little weekend company doing what I enjoy
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[4Gears4Tires]

That looks great. I think the hull liner is a much better looking alternative to the original flocking.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Italjohn]

Very good craftsmanship there my friend.
_________________
Follow me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norwayvanagon
My youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Italjohn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italjohn/

[xoo00oox]

Very nice work, thanks for sharing it. How did you remove the old flocking? Or did you just glue over it?

[elizer]

looks like he used acetone and a scraper.

Man, I have to agree that hull liner material is aesthetically pleasing.

[eleven]

Amazing! Nice work.

[WilsonsWesty]

[joetiger]

Beautiful work. That hull liner looks familiar:

(although mine is a bit sloppy compared to yours!)

_________________
Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[dabaron]

fantastic work and write up Mike. looking forward to seeing this in person.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo

BiWerks Design, LLC

[SyncroBouree]

I'll build upon the compliments of the other members above this post.

Thank you very much for the excellent presentation of some new approaches, materials selections, and procedures descriptions. A project of this ilk is certainly in our future and your sharing will improve our considerations and execution.

Cheers!
_________________
--Liam
1990 Vanagon GL Syncro Westy VW1.8T Triple-Knobber
1975 911S Widened Turbo/RSR Hybrid
1979 Harley Lowrider -- Donated to a good home
1969 Ford Bronco Half-Cab 351W, Toploader, Dana 44 FE, Detroit Locker, Duffy’s Suspension – wish I still had it
1962 GMC 3/4T Fleetside, V6<-Chevy 409 w/factory headers, Camper/Tow Rig – ditto

[buelteman]

An exceptionally well done job! Thanks for sharing it with us.
_________________
'91 Westfalia Camper - VW BNB
1.8 Turbo courtesy Stephan's
Custom Geared 5-speed tranny with
Peloquin Limited Slip Diff
H&R Progressive Rate Springs
300 Watt 13 speaker stereo
Audi Disc Brakes
LED driving and interior lights

[Alaskaberrys]

Great write up and pictures, thanks!

We’re doing a re-paint of our westy and I’d like to install low profile solar while I have the roof off - your technique looks great.


I didn’t understand just how you routed the wires as I’m not sure just where this picture is. Along the outside of the tent to the rear?

[dobryan]

Looks great. Nice job!
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[puchfinnland]

answering questions-

[quote="Alaskaberrys"]Great write up and pictures, thanks!

We’re doing a re-paint of our westy and I’d like to install low profile solar while I have the roof off - your technique looks great.


I didn’t understand just how you routed the wires as I’m not sure just where this picture is. Along the outside of the tent to the rear?
[quote="puchfinnland"]

the solar wires connected INSIDE to the brass screws, and then continued outside, in the rear, they jumped back in as I prefer to make a hole thru the plywood, rather then drill holes in the metal outside where a leak is more of a possibility.
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ABYC marine master technician , EX European auto technician, new business- EASTCOASTWEST , custom work on campers, only systems, no mechanical

[Franklinstower]

Thanks for this thread! I haven't done the solar yet, but I followed your headliner tip! It turned out great. Anyone else doing the polypro headliner, this a great tip for punching holes :

Heat something up to punch out holes, Don't use a drill!
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug