What lies beneath!.............

KevinsKamper · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: What lies beneath!.............

So I've had my Westy for about 3 weeks now, checking it out and getting familiar with it and starting to fix some minor things...Today I decided to take the luggage tray off the roof.....I had noticed a couple of pine needles sticking out from underneath the tray seal and figured I better investigate further....sure glad I did cause heres the results!....and this doesn't show the crap that fell to the floor during removal....Damp wet mud and rotting vegetation.....a perfect recipe for a future sunroof I really don't want!.....Now for a major clean up and a coat of wax....

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benandmj · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:22 am Post subject:

I need to do this SOOOO bad.
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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy

KevinsKamper · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:24 am Post subject:

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:44 am Post subject:

you may want examine the archives for ways to keep stuff from passing thru the drain holes in the luggage rack.

I use those little cone-shaped screens made for washing machine hoses but other clever ways have also been found.

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject:

I'd suggest being prepared to prep and paint body where luggage rack rubber meets the body. I used proper body paint and a brush. At a running gallop, it looks fine. It would be an easy matter to wet sand any brush strokes out or just use a foam brush?

If you put screens at the drain holes, IMO it's best to install them at underside of rack. No, don't ask. Wink

So far, I've found that fibreglass resin works to hold them in place (I was repairing the rack while installing screens)

If any of the rubber washers are missing, you may find same or similar at your local plumbing store. IIRC, Bentley shows these washers. On my bus there was one between each bracket and rack and two at each rear fastener between body and rack. In terms of height at rear of rack, you want the rack and pop top to seal when closed.

OEM washer (or what I found) on LH. Not not the same thickness but two might be ok Question

These types of washers should be easy to find.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

Merian · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 3:56 pm Post subject:

don't tell me you removed all that insulation!

WestyBob

Hey Kevin ... looks like you have a good acorn selection there Wink

I took mine off for the first time ever a few years back, and I know the original owner (before me) never had it off ('87 Westy).

It was immaculate with just a few twigs, the paint looked like it was new and waxed !!!

Maybe not getting parked under trees very often ?

But about three times a year during a wash I always spray water into the holes (not on paint-peel high), rotate the nozzle around slight in the process and maybe that was the reason.

KevinsKamper · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking maybe mice resided here at some point......if they could squezze into the drain holes?....

outdoornate65 · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 7:47 pm Post subject:

When I removed mine last winter, I glued small pieces of screen on the underside of the drain holes to keep debris out....seems to be working fine.

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1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg "Nana"

wcdennis · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:11 pm Post subject:

You would think all that gunk would ruin the paint, but once I cleaned mine up, (and others have mentioned this too) the paint under the luggage rack looks factory new. It shows that sun is the true enemy of paint, not water and organic matter.

outdoornate65 · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:19 pm Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 6:32 am Post subject:

Inwasn't so lucky!

While I did have tree debris and yellow jacket nests galore...... I also have paint damage and minor surface rust.......

Debris removed but before cleaning paint.....

Rust in gutter and where the seal sits on the paint........

Cleaned up, paint damaged.... Not worth repainting but certainly worth cleaning periodically........

Dave
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KevinsKamper · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 7:04 am Post subject:

It ended up cleaning up nicely, no rust and just one small area that wore down to bare
metal that will get touched up. I will install the screen idea as insurance...thanks!

WestyBob · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 7:41 am Post subject:

Any organic debris pile up, left for a while, will release certain acids during the decay process that could leave stains all the way up to eating through the paint and rust. This is why in the fall in particular I try to remove any wet leaves (they are really bad) and other debris off any rigs parked outside as frequently as I can.

Doing the screen thing on the holes as mentioned by another and/or periodically the low pressure water hose spray cleaning thing through the holes will help a lot.

KevinsKamper · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:08 pm Post subject:

I ended up putting in some small screens today held in with silicone....should alleviate any future problems and the fact that this baby will always be garaged under my watch.....thanks for the input guys. Kevin

Ibuprofen · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:05 pm Post subject:

When you clean underneath the front luggage area take steps to prevent water from being introduced at the bolts near the pop top. I'm pretty sure that's where the water was introduced. I had a bit of rain in the cabin during braking after I last did this job! Confused

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Filbert: 85 Westy, 1.9 AHU mTDI, LR 300 pump stock fueling, 520 nozzles.

Lotek · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:33 pm Post subject:

Any tips on removing the screws that hold the luggage rack on? Mine are frozen solid and resist movement by my biggest screwdriver.

KevinsKamper · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 6:37 pm Post subject:

vanis13 · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 7:50 pm Post subject:

for the drain hole screens you may want to consider these

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602968&highlight=luggage+rack+drain

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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

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