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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 58
Location: Alameda, CA
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 Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:18 pm Post subject: Westy Pop top flocking re-upholster? |
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Hi All-
Ordered some goodies for new years from GW for my 86 westy. planning on doing a whole pop-top refurbish including interlux repaint, seals, tent, 3 bar roof rack, awning, and new SS hardware.
but my flocking is totally goofed up by a PO. somebody got in this thing and scrubbed off 1/2 of it with some ungodly tool, leaving only an abrasive mustard colored nightmare in its wake. don't sit up to fast at night cuz you'll get road rash.
the top itself is in good shape otherwise, so, is there any way to "re-flock" a flocked up flocking job?
I'm sure someone out there has attempted a repair or re-upholstery of the top, if so with what fabric / product, what glue, and how its holding up in terms of gravity and dreaded mold. should i remove it all and leave it bare? maybe try to add some insulation or panelized type material?
while were at it, what did you use to remove the old flocking/adhesive?
i did some searchin, but haven't come up with much in the reupholstery department...
thanks all, and happy 15 |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32635
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Dampcamper
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Joined: October 07, 2013
Posts: 788
Location: Rainy Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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| FWIW, I scraped mine off (that which wasn't already gone) and glued Reflectix bubble insulation to the fiberglass, then used contact cement to glue a foam-backed headliner material: http://www.sailrite.com/Headliner-Perforated-Foam-Backed-White over that...or is it "under", now that the top is back on? I do worry about the vinyl getting snagged and tearing but it is a nice look, quiets the interior down and my grandkids like to lay on their backs and stare at the hole pattern crosseyed so it looks like it's jumping out at you. And it really helps keep the van warmer inside! |
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ThankYouJerry
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Joined: September 01, 2012
Posts: 2271
Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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GW covers replacement with fabric at the bottom of this article:
http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1364
I'm sure they sell the fabric they use in the photos.
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 58
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:10 am Post subject: |
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thanks. yes i knew i had seen top upholstering images somewhere, but didn't remember...that said the GW article mentioned that was a custom job with recaro fabric.
dave your condensate theory makes sense, especially considering my recent cold camping experiences sleeping up there. but at the same time I'm sure it exacerbated mold issues.
I think i'll pass on the flocking tools and see if i can find a good fabric. maybe there is an auto upholstery shop round here that can point me in the direction of glue to use. i'd hate to do all this work and have it hanging down in a month, or molded, or torn.
Dampcaper thanks for the link. the trunk liner material on that website looks like the ticket. mold resistant, synthetic. ill need to find it in tan. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32635
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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morymob
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Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 7:39 am Post subject: |
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| Check car upholstery shops, 80's &later used a thin foamback material glued to top, our 88 voyager, damaged, i bought a large piece to cover inside top. Removed old, cleaned old glue off, used 3M spray glue on both surfaces. Needed enuf bodies to hold 4 corners stretched tight 4 me to start in middle, with a ft wide brush worked to outsides, came out nicely, no wrinkles. I have considered some or maybe thicker 4 my westy top 4 added insulation properties. |
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pdm777
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Joined: August 06, 2012
Posts: 348
Location: Clovis, CA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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how about a thick polar fleece type material?
Good insultation, synthetic, light, won't hold moisture.
Be very careful with 3M spray adhesive.
Those tiny droplets are with you for life when you breathe in
Always use a respirator mask!
Is there any spray on treatment that prevents mold and fungus
that is not harmful to breathe? |
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eghall
Samba Member
Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 58
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:14 am Post subject: |
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thanks dave-
yup i have a joanns up the street. i found the same product you have images of and for the price ill give it a shot.
based on the current condition of the flocking anything i do will be an improvement. i got the top off yesterday and am prepping for bright side repaint, so i'll tackle this at the same time.
plan is clean all, paint inside exposed areas, upholster, flip, and paint outside
someone mentioned contact cement---can i get away with super 90 or will it fail over time?
pdm777 thanks for the tip, i certainly don't need any more crap in my lungs...
pics to come as i go. |
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eghall
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Joined: May 13, 2012
Posts: 58
Location: Alameda, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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update. i almost flaked.
had to get all this done prior to a 1500 mile trip to phoenix and back. i had hoped to do one of those awesome photo how to's, but did not have time.
lessons learned relating to upholstery, to keep this on topic.
-you need 3 yards x 54" wide material (not a lesson learned but good info.)
-tuck the fabric up the side and into where the track screws on so it finishes up clean.
-don't use 3m spray glue, use an actual contact cement. i found that spray glue , yes even the super 90 which can hold a phonebook to the wall, left pockets of unglued areas. especially noticeable at the ribs on the top. I'm leaving it, but you should avoid it.
-i did not remove all the prior flocking, don't know how much that will impact longevity, but i definitely bleached out the old mold a couple times.
-take lots of pics as you go.
-if you have a rack source the proper bolt caps ahead of time to avoid ripping the top. i found that set acorn nuts were not deep enough to seat to the top, so eventually settled on some nylon lockers that have the nylon that acts like a bolt cap. they worked out very well. for 1.50 each i would hope so...
-plan on scotch guarding if you use the typical headliner material
-go light on the silicone. use alex+ for the non-skylight bolts, not silicone.
-tape your hinges shut for install and uninstall
-dont attempt uninstall of the top alone because you planned ahead enough to get of work early but did not plan for your neighbors to.
-on a related note. the top can be handled alone if you remove the skylight and lift it vertically with the back up in the air. its not heavy, just very akward.
it does seem a little warmer and smells much better than the old top/flocking.
hope this helps someone. heres some pics, like i said not a step by step by any means, but i tried to do some kind of beginning to end.
the old top and tent
[/img]
old tent rolled up
finished deal with interlux, gowesty tent, rack,awning
glue failure pockets
not as noticeable on the main part, but still there
special bolt caps to protect tent
beautiful new paint and sticker...on the top at any rate...
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kjono09
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Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 191
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Just flocked to match new paint. Fixed cracks and got rid of poop flock. Will never go back. Love it. If you have done this post pics. The texture is the same as original. It's perfect. Let me know what you think.
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84 Retro-Westy GW 2.2L (Vincent)
67 Bug 2007cc (WBX in progress) (Davey)
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