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Jay-C58 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Moose Jaw, SK
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:59 am Post subject: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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I am in the process of replacing my front floor mats and kick panels. When I removed to old, non original ones, I found a bunch of foam bricks packed in there. Are these supposed to be behind there? Some sort of insulation?
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Jay-C58 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Moose Jaw, SK
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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Vehicle is a 1977 Westfalia. |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5986 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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Yes there is some styrofoam insulation in there originally. _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50255
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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sjbartnik wrote: |
Yes there is some styrofoam insulation in there originally. |
Loose sheets of fairly thin stuff, maybe 3/8" thick. FWIW since I am long legged, I leave the panel off the driver's side to give myself a bit of extra leg room. |
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Jay-C58 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Moose Jaw, SK
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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This isn't styrofoam though, it's more like a sponge material along with some loose, white, fibre type stuff. _________________ 1977 Westy |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5986 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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I would imagine someone probably replaced the original stuff with that in an attempt to insulate better when camping.
However if it's something that can retain moisture you are probably better off getting rid of it and getting something that won't absorb moisture, you don't want it holding moisture in there and promoting rust. _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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Jay-C58 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Moose Jaw, SK
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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I kind of think you're right and that it was something the PO did. I was also worried about retaining moisture so I think I'm just going to remove it and not replace with anything. I doubt it will make much difference while camping. _________________ 1977 Westy |
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70Crew Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006 Posts: 776 Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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Thread here that illustrates what was there originally, at least on early bays. Closed cell styrofoam-type material, 3/16” (!) thick. All that would do is reduce noise a bit... but not much.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=663471&highlight= _________________ 1970 Crew Cab |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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the original is thin Styrofoam. It was glued on and often is in pieces from age. Be careful that what you use does not absorb moisture and cause rust _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Jay-C58 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Moose Jaw, SK
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: What should be behind front kick panels? |
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Thanks for the answers. I've removed all of the foam and other "insulation". I think I'm just going to leave it and not replace with anything at the moment. There is already rust at the bottom and I don't want to help it get any worse by having some moisture holding material back there. _________________ 1977 Westy |
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