Headliner material for interior of pop-top

[outdoornate65]

I plan to do a spruce-up of my pop-top this winter including new exterior paint and a new canvas tent. While the top is off for paint, I wanted to address the inside if the fiberglass.

Looking for feedback from those who might have used a fabric headliner to do this project in the past.

I was thinking I could use spray adhesive and a nice tan cloth headliner material. Figure it would absorb some sound and provide a cozy feel to the interior of the bus.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Nate

[FNGRUVN]

They sell a foamed-backed velvet material for van conversions and such. I know they have it at JoAnn's fabic, but I bought mine at a van conversion shop. It's stretchy so it will conform to all the grooves and bumps. Make sure you use professional quality spray adhesive.
I have some pictures of my install in my gallery pics.
_________________
"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

[ragnarhairybreeks]

have a look online at boat hull liner fabric. I've seen it installed in a high top (samba member simonslp,glued fabric over insulation) and in a stock pop top.

an example of the fabric : http://www.sailrite.com/HullBlanket-Headliner-Hull-Liner-Carpet-Type-Silver-Grey-M66

I used, believe it or not, thin indoor/outdoor carpet on my pop top. Did not have the same 2 way stretch as the hull liner stuff, but it worked fairly well.

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/vanagon-pop-top-canvas-swap/

alistair
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'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
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[outdoornate65]

[oldhuldy67]

I did this to my poptop..

The headliner I bought online from a boat supply store..off white, it's mold and mildew resistant polyester, the mylar NASA (bubble) insulation I got form HD or Lowes, 4' width., cleaned the surface of the top with lacquer thinner, gluedup the mylar insulation with polyurethane adhesive, applied 3M90 liberally to both surfaces and glued the headliner on. The latch hardware fits over this, sealed the bolts with RTV, snug but fits back on. The foldout upper bunk just clears but no problem, really. Should help keep cooler in summer, hold the heat in winter and gives the top much needed insulation and sound abatement...you don't have to go this far, this is what OCD will make you do..the possum likes it.

[ThankYouJerry]

Here is a GoWesty library tech article about pop-top restoration: http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1364
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[JEL91Westy]

Oldhuldy67
I am considering the same approach and wonder how this has held up, and if you would do anything differently.

Why not use the super90 adhesive to adhere the foam to the fiberglass?
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91 Westy
85 911

[oldhuldy67]

JEL91WESTY that would have been a better choice, but it has held up well.
Sorry for the delay. All the best to you and your build.
_________________
Currently:1980 Westy Westfalia Poptop (a total stock-look rebuild with all my favorite camping mods)
1967 stock Sunroof Beetle
Formerly:
1978 Westy Campmobile, the"EM50 Urban Assault Vehicle" code named "The Pickle"
1973 Squareback (sold on a lark)
1973 Super Beetle (crashed..walked away without a scratch)
1972 Standard Beetle (lost in a relationship..)
1966 Beetle (the Black Beauty, my Dad's)
1964 Beetle (the Beige Bug, my beginning beater, also my Dad's) Thanks, Dad.

[Bulli Klinik]

What did you find was a good technique for removing the flocking?

Thanks.
_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[OzzieJo]

[Bulli Klinik]

Thanks for the reply. I'm about to dive into my pop-top. I can't stand that flocking material. I was thinking of installing a preforated headliner material used in early Buses, Beetles, etc...
_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Franklinstower]

I also couldn't stand the flocking, no matter how much I cleaned it, it still got moldy after every winter. so this summer I attacked the pop top. cleaned, 3 coats or pre-kote, 5 coats of brightside. removed old flocking with a 1/2 gallon of acetone, used a marine contact adhesive for the polypropylene hull liner material. I purchased mine through Albright Supply - Can't recommend them enough, great people, good products, price and shipping. Polypro hull liner is mold and mildew resistant. I am sure the through cleaning and multi layers of paint are helping with condensation too. a couple of tips, don't get any paint or primer on the top where you are going to spray adhesive, the adhesive and paint don't mix and the paint will lift. Heat a punch with a torch to make your bolt penetrations, don't try to drill the material.

Heated brass tube used for penetrations:

_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug

[dobryan]

FWIW I have always found that 3M Super90 does not like hot environments. Every time I have used it in a car or the bus it eventually failed. YMMV.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

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[Merian]

Leather
_________________
....

[oldhuldy67]

Franklinstower
GREAT job..
_________________
Currently:1980 Westy Westfalia Poptop (a total stock-look rebuild with all my favorite camping mods)
1967 stock Sunroof Beetle
Formerly:
1978 Westy Campmobile, the"EM50 Urban Assault Vehicle" code named "The Pickle"
1973 Squareback (sold on a lark)
1973 Super Beetle (crashed..walked away without a scratch)
1972 Standard Beetle (lost in a relationship..)
1966 Beetle (the Black Beauty, my Dad's)
1964 Beetle (the Beige Bug, my beginning beater, also my Dad's) Thanks, Dad.

[puchfinnland]

all written up here w link to where to buy and colors, I use spray 90, no failures if done properly

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

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

[JEL91Westy]

So what is the key to getting the Super 90 to hold up to the heat?

OP - what marine contact adhesive did you use?
_________________
91 Westy
85 911

[outwesty]

I've found 3M 74 foam fast to hold up the best on interior stuff. The only problem I have had is that it is so strong you will tear the carpet before the bond breaks if you ever have to lift a section up for some reason. That looks great Puch finnland

[Franklinstower]

I think I used 3m Super Trim Adhesive as recommended by the hull liner suplier.
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug

[GreggK]

I used the gel like paint stripper to remove my flocking. I brushed it on kind of heavy, went away for a little at it all was pretty much bubbled up. I used a plastic spackle blade with no effort to remove the mess. I'd say that did about 95% of the roof. Some small spots took another coat of stripper and some more effort. Afterwards I used acetone to wipe it down.
_________________
'86 2wd Poptop transplant
FAS TDi engine swap. Peloquin LSD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=692188&highlight=slow+but+steady