Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 23:14:54 -0700
Reply-To: MC <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: MC <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Stainless OEM Pop Top Seals
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I run into a number of later year Vanagon Westfalia campers from time
to time. I have noticed the 90 or 91 model years tend to have OEM pop
top seals. Initially I thought that Westfalia must have improved the
construction of the seal so it is less prone to water getting into the
steel retention clip starting the rusting process.
I was camping this weekend and I met a Canadian owner of a 90 Westy. He
was not the original owner so he didn't know about if the seal is
original one when I asked. He mentioned a couple of spots around the
corners the rubber has some small tear where the joints are made. He was
wondering what if anything he should do to cover it up and I suggested
rubber cement or black silicone.
I then notice a bigger tear spot on the luggage rack seal and I can see
the exposed metal clip. It is very shinny and I knew immediately this is
no common spring steel. It is unmistakably stainless steel!
I then recalled my friend's 90 Westy developed a rusty seal very early
on and have it replaced under warranty. His seal mysteriously still look
fine. Now the mystry is explained. His replacement seals must have the
stainless steel construction.
Evendently Westfalia did at some very late date change the metel clip
from common spring steel to stainless steel. Unfortunately the change
came too late for most owners.
- Vince
Newly updated site of my Westy camper:
http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net <http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net/>
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S (almost here)
<http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net/>
---------------------------------
From: MC <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: OEM Pop Top Seals
OK! I read enough about how stupid the Westfalia OE seal is. What is
wrong with the seal design? Just one thing. The cost constraint of using
spring steel instead say stainless steel. They should at least apply a
heavy galvanized coating. Why they didn't use aluminum? Aluminum does
not make good spring. When have you see aluminum being used for spring?
Have you read about folks who replace the OE seal with after market only
to find the seal does not stay put. Someone's AM seal sticks to the roof
and he wrote that he will wax the roof to solve the problem.
The pros of the OE seal are: 1) double-lip design for keeping wind noise
down. 2) 1-piece pre-glued to the leading edge flat seal. 3) Spring
steel for good retention force to the fiberglass top.
There is only one drawback with the OE seal: They should have use
stainless steel, or spring steel with heavy-duty galvanized coating.
One of my luggage carrier tie down now rust profusely. The cause is what
I found out the hard way. I use West Marine's bungee cord which has
stainless steel hooks and left it Pacific NW's rainny winter for months.
Stainless steel hook is less reactive than the zinc coating on the tie
down (which is cast iron underneath) so the tie down begins to rust when
the zinc is consumed as a sacrificial donor.
When I replace the OE seal I plan to apply paint with rust inhibitor to
the steel clips to slow down the corrosion progress.
- Vince
http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net <http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net/>
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S (almost here)
<http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net/>