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thatbaldwinlife Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011 Posts: 759 Location: Out exploring
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 6:38 pm Post subject: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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I wanted to put up a thread for reference on TheSamba for future searches for people having questions on how to refinish the fiberglass top on their Westy. Ours was in terrible shape and we used the Interlux Brightside paint and we couldn't be happier with the results!
Primer:
https://amzn.to/38haF3c
Paint:
https://amzn.to/3sTe8Nj
We also had a small crack by the skylight we repaired with epoxy before we primed the top.
The tent install part is not complete as we lost some footage before upload and the footage we took during wasn't great as it was very hard to film with our equipment we had.
We also replaced all of our seals as well as the skylight.
Anyway, I hope this set of videos can help anyone in the future who is not sure they can tackle the refinishing part. It really wasn't that hard. The tent was way harder.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments!
nate
Link
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_________________ 1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel
Last edited by thatbaldwinlife on Sat Mar 06, 2021 7:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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goldtooth wrote: |
I wanted to put up a thread for reference on TheSamba for future searches for people having questions on how to refinish the fiberglass top on their Westy. Ours was in terrible shape and we used the Interlux Brightside paint and we couldn't be happier with the results! |
Thank you! I removed the top of our '89 Westy a couple years ago and cleaned the ceiling and replaced the tent. Turned out great.
You're timing couldn't have been better because now, I'm in the middle of refurbishing an '85 Westy (expect to be for sale this spring) and painting the top is in it's future. Thank you so much for the painting video and insight on how the Interlux products turned out for you.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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Microbusdeluxe Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2003 Posts: 977 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:09 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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Great job and thanks for all the work it takes to post a big project like this. On my '81 the previous owner had either painted the top or applied a new gellcoat, I'm not sure what they used, but it looked great. It was very smooth and I'd like to do that on my hightop if only I could figure out what he did and the product he used. If anyone is a paint guru and knows how to make the fiberglass smooth and shiny, let me know. _________________ '69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig! |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2780 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:30 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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Microbusdeluxe wrote: |
Great job and thanks for all the work it takes to post a big project like this. On my '81 the previous owner had either painted the top or applied a new gellcoat, I'm not sure what they used, but it looked great. It was very smooth and I'd like to do that on my hightop if only I could figure out what he did and the product he used. If anyone is a paint guru and knows how to make the fiberglass smooth and shiny, let me know. |
Multiman mv kind of explains achieving a smooth and shiny finish on the top in his big thread.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679052&highlight=multivan _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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thatbaldwinlife Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011 Posts: 759 Location: Out exploring
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:08 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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SyncroHead wrote: |
goldtooth wrote: |
I wanted to put up a thread for reference on TheSamba for future searches for people having questions on how to refinish the fiberglass top on their Westy. Ours was in terrible shape and we used the Interlux Brightside paint and we couldn't be happier with the results! |
Thank you! I removed the top of our '89 Westy a couple years ago and cleaned the ceiling and replaced the tent. Turned out great.
You're timing couldn't have been better because now, I'm in the middle of refurbishing an '85 Westy (expect to be for sale this spring) and painting the top is in it's future. Thank you so much for the painting video and insight on how the Interlux products turned out for you.
Jim Davis |
It was a lot of work to try and document it all. After it was done, it was easier to know what I should have filmed or talked about!
I would encourage anyone who has a top that is getting bad to take care of it sooner than later. It makes the work so much easier if you don't have fiberglass showing through like my luggage rack did. Like I said in the video, for less than $100 you can have then entire top redone and looking new.
I would not suggest you do this in the middle of October like we did though. A nice 70 degree, calm day can have this done quicker too due to drying times.
nate _________________ 1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel |
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puchfinnland Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2005 Posts: 279 Location: Deale Maryland
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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thought I covered it pretty good!
full story here-
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 |
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thatbaldwinlife Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011 Posts: 759 Location: Out exploring
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass pop top refinishing and tent install - How To |
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I am sure you did! Videos can go a long way in helping the understanding though. I am glad we can all have these resources on TheSamba for future reference!
nate _________________ 1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel |
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