Winston Wehabilitated: Prologue

[msinabottle]

You all continue to gift me with excellent input. I am very grateful.

I will post some pictures of Assuan Brown vans with the dark rockers... I always thought it looked rather nice, and orange and black is a nice combination. At least in late October.



FNGRUVN, as you can re-read (I know you read that thread 'cause you responded to it!) HERE:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=505935

I pulled the entire top and the luggage rack, screamed, underwent vaccination therapy, shrieked, gibbered a little, then cleaned up all the gunk, cleaned OFF all the gunk, waxed. installed strainers and a new Bus Depot seal and eventually put it all back together. It took a spitload longer than 20 minutes! But it's done. I wonder how Winston would look with a black stripe where your white van has one not far below the windows... I may play with Photoshop. The arguments against the bedliner or black what-have-you on the rocker panels are cogent, I just thought it would look nice and be practical.

Currently I'm thinking Bus Depot for a 'Whole Van' except front doors seals kit, Van Cafe for the 'Front Doors' kit--and no chrome, I looked through my 'VW's on the Green' pictures and decided that no chrome looks at least as good--and GoWesty for any odd bits. Not entirely decided on that, I need to run the numbers. I'm not sure who sells the little pointy ends for the rain gutter trim, which I definitely want back on him.

Ponder, ponder... Muse...



Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[joetiger]

[FNGRUVN]

Volkswagens on the Green is coming up. Hope to see the new and improved Winston there.

GoWesty sells a nice German OEM fully retractable antenna. The reception is pretty good even when fully retracted.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

[shadetreetim]

I think the argument against the blackout treatment is pretty accurate in that it is often used as a low buck way to cover damage. On those vehicles its usually obvious its being used as a band-aid.


But lipstick on a pig doesn't condemn the lipstick.

A well sorted van with straight bodywork, new paint and new rubber is no pig. If done well it is a very nice looking combo. Either way you can't lose.
_________________
Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[FNGRUVN]

Just take plenty of "before" pictures to prove you weren't hiding anything. The only person you need to worry about is the prospective buyer. Everyone else can think what they want. I doubt Rob will ever sell Winston, so it's a moot point.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

[dobryan]

[msinabottle]

SELL WINSTON?



Nearly 3000 posts... All the work I've done... No, I'll be enjoying the fruits of my labors and expense. Not somebody else for the foreseeable future. But does this really look that awful?

Okay, the green tent really DOES look that awful. I took the pictures at VW's on the Green in 2011--I wonder where they got their full set of postal flares, which do look nice and could well end up going onto Winston.

Funny thing, they probably ARE hiding something. Their paint is ghastly, even worse than Winston's. But I thought and think the black rocker panels look pretty good. I thought that sort of thing looked good on the Honda Element.

Today I removed everything but the registration from Winston's internal storage. It took an hour and a half. I filled three large plastic bags, three plastic grocery bags, and two ten gallon storage bins with what was in the cabinets, bench, and map pockets.



What's not there can't cause trouble. I walked around Winston and confirmed what new trim and seals I would need. All of it, except possibly the rear passenger's and driver's side central slider gaskets, which are still new. I'll see if I save more ordering a window kit or the rest of them separately to save coin.

The Go Westy upper window seals were loose again, the lower part I glued--if he weren't about to be painted, I'd glue the upper part too. The rain gutter trim I put on him just after I bought him has lost its ends. I'm not sure that the molding used for that wouldn't be available locally at a trim shop, doing the ends, where the rain gutters curve in to the front and back, is possible, I've heard, with heat--but I'm not sure how. Not sure of the antenna mod, also.

Called a car show about the bendable, rust-proof PolyArmor fuel lines, they said not only is it possible but it's practically mandatory and that I can use metric bubble flares (I bought the tool) and rubber connectors to join metal to the original fittings.

I need to use THE SEARCH or beg successfully to figure out what lengths of what I.D. line I'll need of the PolyAmor, which I will probably have to order.

http://www.agscompany.com/faq/10

I guess Winston's new windshield wiper nozzles will be these:

http://tinyurl.com/bqmejvq

And I need to process all your helpful and anatomically possible suggestions...



I really very, very much, with some amazement and awe...



appreciate the interest in what's going on with Winston.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[FNGRUVN]

Don't let other people get in the way of what you want to do. It's your van. Do it up the way you like. I like the black at the bottom. You have to do it right, though. I think Line-X(sp?) is the brand most people like and it's not cheap. If it were me, I'd bring the line up to the bottom of that first valley and just do the front fender lip(not the bottom of the front door). You could always do it afterwards if you didn't like the look. This is one of those things that's a commitment. It will be really hard to undo this one.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

[shadetreetim]

[msinabottle]

I spent a lot of time comparing prices on body and window rubber... I think I'll be buying the lot of it from Bus Depot, who've sold me good seals, who have been good to work with, and who've offered that Samba Discount. Every little bit helps. Not sure if I'll get to the BIG order discount, but it's gonna add up on the body and window seals! I think I can re-use the Bus Depot seals around Winston's jalousies, they still look good.

Problematic stuff--NO ONE currently is selling the ENDS of the rain gutter trim, those curvy-point things. I recall someone mentioning that you could MAKE them from trim with heat. To economize, I'm considering going to a local trim shop (we have one on South Broadway) and seeing what they can sell me.

FNGRUVN, did you buy the fuzzy-channel guides from someeone and THEN use the 1/4" window felt from Home Depot strictly for the vertical fuzz on your sliding window rebuild? I did buy the guides from Van Cafe (whom I still love and from whom I will ALWAYS buy), just not sure if I need to buy the dedicated strips from our aftermarket or if I can use local hardware stuff.

Kenny Shock, who was SO helpful in finishing up with the Jalousies, has agreed to be my 'glass guy' on Winston. He's not sure he can save the windshield, I'll see what I can find here to help him remove it one piece and rebuild Winston's sole surviving sliding window. Must remember to get the sliding door cover beading and the escutcheon for the rear hatch...

KA-CHING! WHO EVER TOLD ME THAT OWNING A VANAGON WOULD BE EXPENSIVE!



No word yet from Wheels of Time, but Wednesday would be the earliest I could drop him off.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[Bman]

Rob,

I know, looking for that gutter trim finish piece is a real PITA. I also could not find them, and when I tried to "steal" them off my wife's old Bluestar they cracked. I used the GW aftermarket gutter trim to finish my Doka off and we ended up not using an end cap just make sure you have a longer length to bend; this is what it looks like:

I don't even notice it without knowing what to look for, so if you can't find it move on. BUT, if you do find a workable end cap, please let me know as I would throw down for some.

PS: I like the black rocker panels, even on ASS brown.
_________________
~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"




2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl

[msinabottle]

Thank you, BMan, that's a useful picture and suggestion.

Final countdown--waiting for Les to call to bring Winston down to the shop. Worried they'll have a hard time shifting him. Knowing I'm over-anxious.

Ducked into Kenneth R. Shock's shop at:

Shock Glass
31 E. Panama Drive
Centennial, CO 80121
303-730-2729
http://www.shockglass.com

Kenny was cheerful and positive, when I told him he'd be replacing all the window seals but the two around the Jalousies (he knows those well) he was less worried about saving Winston's windshield. He knows how to use a knife. I also mentioned that he'll be rebuilding Winston's sole surviving slider window, still unsure if I can use standard window replacement strips or if I'll have to order some from our aftermarket. I do have the guides, thanks to Van Cafe. Anybody chiming in here would be appreciated.

I did tell Mr. Shock that if he thought it best, I trust him and Les, he could condemn Winston's current windshield. There are two poly-filled holes in the windshield, but on the whole it's in pretty good shape. I told Kenny I thought that the old factory glass was better, he was positive in saying, 'Not necessarily,' and the man really does know his stuff.

When Les and I talk over the van as I leave it with them, I'll place the orders for the body and window seals and really get nervous. I think I'll take, and post at least some, 'before' pictures down at Wheels of Time. Les might find them useful in replacing the seals, for that matter, although he's got my Bentley.

I'm like a nervous expectant father... This is the drive to the hospital. How long 'til someone walks in and says, 'IT'S A VANAGON!'



Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[70coupyel]

[luVWagn]

[GreenMachineVW]

[FNGRUVN]

Hey Rob,

Sorry, I'm just now seeing your last two posts. The stuff that I've used in the past is made by M-D(idem# 04267). Home Depot had it down the weather stripping isle. It's a few bucks for 17'.

I think I found a decent replacement for the rubber slider window channel, as well. JCWitney sells it. They sent me a sample and I think it will work. GoWesty sells the strip for the front door glass, which is the same stuff, just shorter, but couldn't manage to get longer pieces to fit the slider.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

[16CVs]

Do you have the JC Page and part # for that run channel ? Are you talking about the upright runner that goes in the back of the vent assembly ? I've been trying to find that part . I am in the glass Biz and have not been able to find that through my sources . Maybe I can get the Manufacture part out of the JC ad .

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[msinabottle]

Well, Les stayed busy, but I called him at 3:45 and he said to bring Winston down. Winston started on the first try, ran beautifully, and is now in the hands of Wheels of Time. Thank you all, VERY MUCH, for the great responses, on the sliding window and other topics. So very grateful...

Les and I had some time to work 'round Winston, I was very annoyed with myself for forgetting to bring my camera. I'll drop by the place and take some shots when I can. He found a few areas he'd missed in his estimate... That's promising.

Things to do...

1)Get the PPG paint code for Assuan Brown, we'll be going with them, I think. Wheels of Time has never done an Imron paint job, Les wasn't sure if they could meet the OSHA standards for applying the stuff.

2)See if I can find instructions here for pulling and replacing the driver's side rear window without removing the closet... I seem to recall that it's possible.

3)Collect into a PDF the instructions (thanks, especially, 70coupyel and FNGRUVN) for rebuilding the slider, so that I can hand those over to Kenny Shock. I'll need the parts. Can you give me more from J.C. Whitney?

4)Find out when Kenny pulls the glass, so I can see if ANY of Winston's window seals are salvageable besides the two 'round the jalousies. I should probably just bite the bullet and start over, but the wing window seals do seem very flexible. I can see what Kenny has to say. Winston's windshield, Les tells me, is NOT original--Made in the U.S.A. and tinted.

I did mention to Les about saving the newer seals and trim--those two 'upper window frame' seals I bought from GoWesty as a retrofit, and the rain gutter trim, which is still in pretty good shape. Just reusing it (SERIOUSLY GLUED DOWN!) is the cheapest option. I want to do all my orders in a single blast if I can, in the hope of hitting the Bus Depot big discount if I'm going to spend the money anyway.

Well... The prologue is over, he's AT the garage (I miss him!) and we'll see (and photograph) what happens next. Further updates as circumstances warrant.

Thank you all very much for the information, suggestions, and support.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[mariusstrom]

[70coupyel]

I had van withdraws. Hell I even had to buy a tent to go camping with no van.
It may seem like you have time to buy parts now. Time goes by fast and just dont get caught with you holding up Winston by not having parts.
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