Front door questions - vapour barrier, alignment and foam piece

[sake]

Currently rebuilding the front doors and have a few questions.

Vapour barrier installation
I'm planning to install new vapour barriers, this material is available from several suppliers. What the best method is to attach it? Adhesive or tape for example?

Door alignment
The door currently sits slightly crooked, it's tilted a bit in the frame. What is the correct way to adjust the door so that it aligns properly?

Foam piece near the lock
There is a foam piece that seems to go above the door lock area. What is this piece for, and how is it supposed to be mounted (glue)?

[Klister]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3tQLdpwhFk

[Gnarlodious]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2660020
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[zuhandenheit]

Re the door alignment, you can get a little adjustment from the bolts, but if it's visibly misaligned you'll likely need a tool. My solo technique for the bolts is to loosen all four but keep one tight enough that the door doesn't shift from weight alone, and then pull it into new position and tighten up. Much better to just get help from a second person, I am sure.

When my passenger door was recently caught by a very strong gust of wind and would no longer close without slamming, I couldn't get enough adjustment with the bolts. I used one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/356446844458?itmmeta=01K0...Swmjlk3xPB

It's easy, but can take a surprising amount of force.

--

As for the vapor barrier, I and many others have used shower curtain liner. I'm not sure what others are using and I think I just used spray adhesive since it's what i had around - but a much better choice would be butyl rubber caulk.

[vanis13]

[zuhandenheit]

[Bulli Klinik]

Let’s see a pic of that foam wedge. It’s been a while since I removed mine and forgot where it goes.
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Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[wbailey2112]

Some have used plastic carpet protection film as a replacement for the vapor barrier since it has a light adhesive already on it but I have not personally tried it (I just patched up the old barrier).
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[sake]

So i bought these vapour barriers which is a single sheet. With 3M strip calk to put them one. I’m considering adding a small inner flap at the bottom, so that any rainwater that gets inside won’t run down the plastic and out at the bottom. What do you think?

[16CVs]

There is a bit of science with a vapor barrier. They belong installed in a certain position to enable the water to drain properly. That barrier shown will just capture the water and not allow it to drain.

The Vanagon door has 2 holes in place to drain the water away when the vapor barrier is properly installed.

Watch this video, it explains how they need to be installed and why. The barrier is 2 fold, one to send the water away from the door panel to prevent warping and also to keep the moisture level when you're trying to heat your cab. As a bonus it also keeps dust and dirt at a minimum.

https://youtu.be/F3tQLdpwhFk?si=XlQrBRX3FLlurGZR

VW spends a lot of time figuring these things out, just throwing some plastic on the door may make you feel warm and fuzzy but it will not cure the water problem.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
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Samba member # 14980
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Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
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[sake]

Thanks! That does look interesting. I watched the video, and I see there are actually two single sheets. I could cut my door foils into two pieces like in the video and stick them exactly the same, what do you think?

[vanis13]

I think the way to go would be to get Stacy's/16CVs vapor barrier
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[tdivan82]

[bertobarb]