early westy plastic curtain rail cover

[skills@eurocarsplus]

so....

i found these threads on the topic:


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9123918

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=411745

and here's mine:

million dollar question....

does anybody need or want this reproduced and if so what are you willing to pay for one?

really considering having a few vacuum formed. the issue would be the pebbly grain would be on the inside and the outside would be smooth...trying to work this out now

it looks like the plastic that would be used is about 35/sheet and there would be a lot of waste during the process once the jig was made, so off the bat it's 35 for a sheet of generic white ABS

mine is fine and there are a couple of minor flaws but i would give it a 8.75 out of 10.

if there is enough interest i may proceed. if not i'll install this and just pretend this thread never happened
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[nelinor]

I need one!
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1983.5 VW Vanagon Westfalia - manual - EJ22
2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx
1990 Nissan 300zx tt

[wbailey2112]

I have two of these and neither are free of cracks. I contacted the Uniwerks guy a while back to see if he could 3D print a replacement if I sent him one of mine for the dimensions but he advised that it was too long for his printers so he would have to create a 2 piece version.

If you could get someone to make these I would be interested in purchasing one for sure. As for the texture of the finished product, as long as it is the right size and close to the right color (my track record of painting plastic parts is not the greatest) I couldn't care less about the inside or outside texture.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[MarkWard]

Could you make the first one and then use the interior of the part for the run of the rest? Unsure about the process, but it sounds like you are pulling the part off the outside of the original. So technically it would have slightly larger dimensions. Using that part as the plug should reduce the diameter back to stock and transfer the grain back to the outer side.
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

i was hoping to just form this one but realized it would be dimensionally bigger.

so the real thing to do is make a "male" buck out of plaster or another medium that would handle the temps of the taffy-like sheet once it gets to forming temp.

i did more digging and it seems that they do sell a pebble grain material to do this. obviously, that adds to the cost.

i can nail the color with a SEM product. i think i saved the code when i had them make dye for my 86 jetta coupe. this is the same color as the plastic in a MK2

having said that...i think it would be an ez 150 bux for one. i just don't see the market willing to bear that cost. basically by the time i add up the time it would just cover costs. these would need to be hand trimmed afterwards as well....then add shipping....

i dunno...thoughts?
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[MarkWard]

This is the trim over the R/R window? I removed mine years ago and don't even notice the difference. We also hang small things from the aluminum curtain rod.

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[vanis13]

[MarkWard]

We have found stowing the front table on top of the rear table works out best. The early tables have a post, so it's easy to take on and off the leg. A lightweight shock cord looped over both tables keeps it from sliding around. My laptop case fits behind the driver's seat.
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

i realize the piece isn't needed....some may delete it. but when they are gone, that's it.

i dunno...i've always had the 'resto mod' mentality when i build stuff. the reality is i just dropped 500 bux on the OE curtain material too.... for what people try and peddle used up sun faded originals for it's a no brainer...plus pricing out 1/2 way decent curtain material there was about a 100.00 swing in some fabric store stuff or the real deal.

anyway i just like keeping certain things stock.
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[squeegee_boy]

I still have mine mostly intact, but it creaks in a gentle breeze and I swear is shedding dust as it ages.

My limit on something like this would be about $USD40 ex shipping.

Edit: just saw your other post. Yeah, $150 would be wildly out of the ballpark for me.

Robyn
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1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver

[skills@eurocarsplus]

^^^

yea, the juice isn't worth the squeeze to make these for sale. i figured as much
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[MarkWard]

Not that they are not worth it at the price. I think the shop labor rate $145 and hour and I couldn't make one of those in an hour. Lawyers charge $500 and hour and no telling what hedge funds contribute to our economy. So, $150 is very reasonable, but you don't need it to keep the van flying. Thanks for asking.
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[squeegee_boy]

I've been meaning to design one for 3D printing purposes and throwing it on Thingiverse. That way one could make their own on their own schedule, assuming access to a printer large enough. The multi-piece idea is good too.

Robyn
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1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver

[procom32]

I just removed a cracked up one from my van when removing gross old curtains.
Definitely want a new one. It looks to be cost prohibitive with molding. If we found a vacuum form person that could be the ticket for something a bit more clean than a 2 piece 3D print.

[unibagel]

I have one and am in the process of reverse engineering it and making a useable model so that I can reproduce them. My apologies to timothy who lent me this one for taking so long.

I am a one man show and have been swamped with orders, custom orders, new product requests and a large stockup order for my distributor in Europe. I will get beck to finishing this up!

Cheers
Chris
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Founder: uniWerks Design, LLC specialty 3D printed Vanagon parts

www.uniwerksdesign.com

[skills@eurocarsplus]

well Chris it better be cheap because no one is willing to pay for one. i looked into either making one myself or having them made. i was at the ragged edge of 150 each and that was the break even/donate time and labor price.

everyone laughed....or when uggg. guess if it isn't being sold by GW it isn't worth the price.

in the meantime, i'll look at my dam near mint one while everyone else try's to find one. that said, when you come up with a solution put me down for one. i'd love to have a spare and know that mine is probably going to break at some point
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[unibagel]

will do!
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Founder: uniWerks Design, LLC specialty 3D printed Vanagon parts

www.uniwerksdesign.com

[wbailey2112]

Any updates on the 3D printed, recreation of this curtain rail cover?

I'd also like to order one when they become available to purchase.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[unibagel]

I'm working on it slowly as I've been consistently swamped with work... I'll try harder on this.
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Founder: uniWerks Design, LLC specialty 3D printed Vanagon parts

www.uniwerksdesign.com