DIY driver/passenger window screens

[Hallvalla]

I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought I'd share. I believe the screens are 30" x 24". Probably under $10 at the local hardware store including the magnets. I also had them cut me a 43" x 60" (approx) for the slider door, but didn't use it.

There were a ton of mosquitos, fly's, flying insects where we camped, so these worked great to keep airflow. Not perfect, there are some gaps here and there, but it seemed to keep 99% out.

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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

[unibagel]

I have a similar setup, but I put mine on the inside...works well!!

[Hallvalla]

I was thinking about putting them on the inside. I'll try that next time.

Only problem I had was when the Lab would stick her nose through it and knock the magnets off. Sometimes after opening and closing the doors I would have to adjust the magnets. No biggie.
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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

[danfromsyr]

I have some really SMALL rare earth magnets that the office supply our office uses sells for papers to boards.
they are tiny hold a ton and inexpensive.
you'll want to sew them into a small fold/pocket so you don't have to pick them up each time.


for me the best ventillation & bug solution was the Bay Jalousie window modification .. air, (rain or shine) and no bugs for the full kitchen width..

search Jalousie on this forum for more info.

sure they look a little more Rvish & maybe even period dated...
but it is an RV (to me) and you can dress the aluminum with some black paint too.

Dan
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[pioneer1]

Thanks for the tip...going home to make a set tonight!

[joetiger]

I just made a set of these.

1 roll of fiberglass screen from Home Depot ($7)
2 10 ft. rolls of 1/2 inch strip adhesive magnets ($4.50 each)
Heat glue gun (from my wife's teacher projects)
Electrical tape (didn't have enough black duct tape around, this is temporary)

Measured, cut, cut glued the magnets down the sides, covered with tape.

Total cost, around $20. They seal things up around the windows completely; we'll see how they work next trip!

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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"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

[Hallvalla]

I like it...nice work.
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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

[DAIZEE]

Some time back I saw a get up that a fellow had made. It is my intent to copy his idea. They then fold up and go in air vents in each door.

Sew together two screens on 3 sides, big enough to go over the door and make it longer than the window. You throw em on and take em off. I'm allergic to bug bites and I think his idea is the best and I will make something for the sliding door but I have 2 screened back windows.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[Californio]

Another idea (that I haven't tried yet.) Go to hardware store, have them custom make house-type window screens, for aluminum windows, in a thickness that fits inside the window track, like 5/16". Have them cut short an inch or so in height, then roll up windows against them from the bottom to hold them in place.

About $20 each and you can get them in white and "bronze."

Betcha they'd store nicely on the upper mattress, too.

[joetiger]

These don't fold up because I put magnets all the way around for a good seal, but I figure I'll store them under the rear mattress or up in the pop-top.

I also found a sliding door screen on Ebay. It was made for a '70's custom van, OD green mesh, with magnets to hold it on. I got it for $9 and it fits just about perfectly. Much better than $120 from Gowesty!
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"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

[DAIZEE]

Ok here is another question. I bought magnetic tape and it seemed useless on the Westy but didn't really need it (so cold). Any secrets re magnet tape or should I just sell it at a yard sale? Opinions and experiences please
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[purplepeopleeater]

I have the gowesty ones....I know what yer thinking, they look professional right? not really they are great cause I didnt have to pay for them (came with my van) if I get some for the other van i'll be making some.

I think if someone was to sew a canvas border around the edge and drop rare earth magnets every 3-4'' you'd be money ahead.

[backyard_cnc]

shameless self promotion for anyone needing vanagon front window screens

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1797668
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Gerald

Check out my Classified Ads for neat stuff:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2364358