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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4087 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2023 10:42 am Post subject: Re: South African Front End Bra |
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The trick with bras is to not be lazy. When I used them I would remove regularly and clean. I used to put mine on before every road trip and remove when we got home.
Winter driving can be hard on the camper!
Unfortunately the newer Vanagons have a better wind seal on the front doors that make hooking the clips very hard on the rubber seal. The clips were chewing up the seals on my 90 Westy so I've stop using and have suffered paint chips and some small dents from flying stones.
A clear paint protection film might have helped with the sand blasting but I doubt it would have protected against the stones.
When I finally get around to repainting the front end I will probably try the film.
Still curious if the newer bras made for the SA grill have different hooks?
Can't really see in this pic but the front is peppered.
_________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3115 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2023 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: South African Front End Bra |
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S+L wrote: |
Is there not some thing these days made out of a microfiber shell or otherwise that would not damage the paint. Seems like there’s some sort of material that could be used on the interior of the bra like a soft dry fit.
Ultimately, I like the way it looks to have a brawl, and more than that. I really want to protect the nose from bugs.
I guess the clear bra/clear guard is an option.
Looks like PPS might be the best option. |
I don't think its the fabric that messes up the paint as much as the fine dust that innevetably finds its way between the bra and vehicle. The paint on the nose of my van is f----d up bad from the bra that the PO had on it for years. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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S+L Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2018 Posts: 3 Location: Owensboro, Kentucky
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: South African Front End Bra |
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Is there not some thing these days made out of a microfiber shell or otherwise that would not damage the paint. Seems like there’s some sort of material that could be used on the interior of the bra like a soft dry fit.
Ultimately, I like the way it looks to have a brawl, and more than that. I really want to protect the nose from bugs.
I guess the clear bra/clear guard is an option.
Looks like PPS might be the best option. |
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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4087 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Now we need one that also has the cut outs for the Projeckzwo/TerraPodz lights and life will be complete.
Anyone buy one of these GW bras? I'm interested in how well the side hooks work with the later model door seals.
The hooks on the bra I have don't fit very well on my '90 Syncro. It worked great on the older '89 Joker that was missing the better wind seal, but the thick plastic hooks dig into that seal and pop off. _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
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Nikkoleto Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004 Posts: 333
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:04 am Post subject: Thanks |
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Thanks for letting me know. I ordered mine today. Now all I have to do is sell the lower grill. It's the South African lower grill but the bra covers up the South African portion of that grill. I may as well sell it and put the regular lower grow back on. Life is good _________________ 1987 Vanagon GL |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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Don't bother with the Craigslist post above. I contacted that individual but the emails I received were confrontational, nonresponsive, and were answering questions with questions. Guy (or gal) was a total prick. _________________ '87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713391&highlight=life |
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adamjjohn203 Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2012 Posts: 187 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
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vw54john Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Cheshire, CT USA
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:23 am Post subject: |
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Here are the pics promised of my bus with the bra I had modified by my interior guy...
_________________ Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval |
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Nikkoleto Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004 Posts: 333
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 12:37 am Post subject: Thanx all |
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Thanks everyone for your advice and input.
I do have an old square headlight bra and I will wait to see how John Modified his. I can then go to a local upholstery shop and see if they can modify it or have other ideas.
I was also thinking about getting an earlier model Vanagon bra with the single headlight and find someone to modify it. Do you know if that early bra would fit the outer round light? If so shouldn't be to hard to find sometime to add holes for the inner lights. Do you'll think that will work?
Syncro Jael - You have one Beautiful & Awesome Vanagon _________________ 1987 Vanagon GL |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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Op, you "still have a square headlight bra" - so, why not simply add-on a piece made to fit the round headlights? Velcro or snaps would work.
You might need to cut yours a bit, but maybe not even that.
If you have a local REI store, ask where they get their repairs done. Here, there is a seamstress who has heavy duty sewing machines and she can work with a lot of heavy cloths or vinyl.
Or go to a local leather store and ask them.
if nothing else, such a mod would tide you over while the vaunted vanagon Aftermarket tools up to make a purpose designed item.
...but I still like the 3M clear stick-ons idea |
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alaskadan Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013 Posts: 1857 Location: anchor pt. alaska
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Hmmm i need to get my hands on a SA grill. Could easily stich up a few or more... |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 6:39 am Post subject: |
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Someone should call Colgan and see if they would make one.
GoWesty VC and BD all sell SA kits, so they would be good contacts too.
Get them made, they will sell.
I have no interest in putting it together, but would buy one or three. |
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Syncro Jael Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013 Posts: 2204 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 6:30 am Post subject: |
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Being a sailor and making sails and items for the boat. I acquired some sewing skills and just modified the bra that came with the vehicle when it had stock square lights. I usually only have a bra on when on long road trips.
You should be able to get one modified fairly cheap at an upholstery shop.
_________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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vw54john Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Cheshire, CT USA
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:52 am Post subject: |
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My van is away for a few days having some work done on it, but as soon as I get it back I'll take a pic and post it for you. I've heard so many people tell me how bad it is to have the bra on the front, and they're probably the same people that are too lazy or ignorant to know that it needs to be taken off regularly and/or when water gets under it, to clean the bra and the surfaces of the car. An ice cream scoop in the hands of the wrong person can become a lethal weapon. Proper use is key. _________________ Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval |
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Nikkoleto Samba Member
Joined: July 15, 2004 Posts: 333
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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John, thank you for your reply. I still have a square headlight bra. Is there any chance that I could see a photo of the bra that was made for you? I was also thinking that I could buy an earlier model Vanagon bra with the single headlight and find someone to modify it. Do you know or think that would work?
I know all the cons about having a front end bra but I take care of the front end and I like the idea that the bra protects the front and from chips. Since my South African conversion I have been running without the bra and I got one Deep Chip. I wish I could find a company that makes a bra for the South African front end. That would make my life so easy _________________ 1987 Vanagon GL |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10248 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Try looking in your area for an installer for 3M paint protection. Known as a clear bra, they are not cheap but retain your vans appearance and require no maintenance and avoid paint damage from chafing.
Cool I said bra and chafing the n the same sentence!! _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Gauche1968 Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Merian wrote: |
I hate them - they trap mold, dirt, debris and rub on the surface |
Yeah, but they are perfect for hiding paint damage caused by trapped mold, dirt and debris. _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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I hate them - they trap mold, dirt, debris and rub on the surface |
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vw54john Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Cheshire, CT USA
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:47 am Post subject: |
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I bought one for a square headlight car and brought it to my local upholstery shop and told them to modify it accordingly. I even had them cut in a round hole so that the VW would be exposed/visible. Whole job cost me $50. _________________ Regards, John
'54 Strato Silver Oval |
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