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SyncroButter
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2016
Posts: 401
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:16 pm Post subject: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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The latch mechanism on this Wesftalia pop top is crazy rusted, has this happened to others and if so what did you do about it? The rest of the vehicle is relatively rust free so the state of this piece is really a surprise, I wonder if the yearly treatment of mold (4 parts water to 1 part bleach solution) has caused the current state. Anyway, does anyone have a line on a replacement part here? I have checked classifieds and have not been able to locate one but I also am having a hard time finding a part number or commonly used name for the part. Plan B is to remove, sand blast then powder coat and reinstall but man this piece is crusty.
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Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11099
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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WOW! That's crusty.
How about placing it in some Evapo-Rust overnight and see if that cleans it up?
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
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squeegee_boy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008
Posts: 786
Location: Langley, BC, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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| 67rustavenger wrote: |
WOW! That's crusty.
How about placing it in some Evapo-Rust overnight and see if that cleans it up? |
And a tetanus shot...
Robyn
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1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit |
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Crooked Designer
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2018
Posts: 576
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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Check with this guy.. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2682208
I've bought a few things for my Westy from Ralf and it has always been a pleasant experience and reasonable prices. He may have one in better shape.
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'85 Westy full camper, Subaru 2.5L, 5 speed SubiGears + 5speedbus shifter kit |
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SyncroButter
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2016
Posts: 401
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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Awesome, just shot Ralf a message. And yes, shockingly rusty… the “female” part of the latch is totally pristine as is the other hardware on the pop top, really odd!
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Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle |
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1520
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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That's crazy crusty!
I'll often go to silly lengths to refurbish an original part, but if structurally compromised, that particular part could easily be a safety hazard on the highway.
Check with this guy:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=vwcultmember
He's dismantled more Vanagons than the Jawas of Tatooine ...
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Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 3774
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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| SyncroButter wrote: |
The latch mechanism on this Wesftalia pop top is crazy rusted, has this happened to others and if so what did you do about it? The rest of the vehicle is relatively rust free so the state of this piece is really a surprise, I wonder if the yearly treatment of mold (4 parts water to 1 part bleach solution) has caused the current state. Anyway, does anyone have a line on a replacement part here? I have checked classifieds and have not been able to locate one but I also am having a hard time finding a part number or commonly used name for the part. Plan B is to remove, sand blast then powder coat and reinstall but man this piece is crusty.
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Chlorine bleach is mighty corrosive. Id rethink the choline rinse that you been doing. A complete rinse with copious amounts of fresh water immediately after the bleach exposure will really help in reducing this problem. Think of chlorine bleach as akin to the chlorine in sea water as for rust concerns. rinse it off quickly and fully from your van.
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Give Peace a Chance.
Words to live by. |
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Crooked Designer
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2018
Posts: 576
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 6:58 am Post subject: Re: pop top latch is rusted to hell... replacement? |
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| zerotofifty wrote: |
Chlorine bleach is mighty corrosive. Id rethink the choline rinse that you been doing. A complete rinse with copious amounts of fresh water immediately after the bleach exposure will really help in reducing this problem. Think of chlorine bleach as akin to the chlorine in sea water as for rust concerns. rinse it off quickly and fully from your van. |
Never realized this, but makes total sense. Also explains why this piece of the latch is shredded and the other end is fine. (assumption being bleach used to kill mold on flocked liner material.)
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'85 Westy full camper, Subaru 2.5L, 5 speed SubiGears + 5speedbus shifter kit |
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