Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 22:20:41 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: replacing plastic "adjustors" to attach headlights; license
plate light bulbs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
J-B Weld is just a two part epoxy product.
Just mix equal parts of the black and white together and get a nice gray
color.
I use a toothpick as a mixer since I seldom make big batches. It works good
for small parts like the screw holes and corner replacement on instrument
cluster pods.
I just build a dam out of tape to keep it from running all over and remove
the tape after it sets.
The repairs work best if you can clean the parts first with some hot cleaner
like lacquer thinner, Berryman B12 spray carb cleaner or something to get
all grease and dirt off. Then sand the work area if you can get to it.
You'd just be really surprised what you can do with it if you combine it
with a little fiberglass cloth you can make some sizable repairs on many
metal and plastic parts.
Stan Wilder
www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:33 PM
Subject: replacing plastic "adjustors" to attach headlights; license plate
light bulbs
> I see from Dave's email below that I could get new plastic "adjustors" for
> my headlights to screw into from the dealer.
>
> I also had a suggestion that I plug the holes with J-B Weld and then drill
> into it to screw the headlights back in.
>
> Any advice on whether doing it with J-B weld is likely to be
straightforward
> and effective? I've never used it before. (surprised, aren't you?)
>
>
> And in case anyone else needs license plate light bulbs, I got a pair from
> my FLAPS (Carquest), part number "1618" - no brand name written on them,
> only that code. $1.29 each (except they gave me one free) and they work
> fine. Tracking down original bulbs doesn't seem necessary.
>
>
> Joy
>
> ****************************************************************
> Joy Hecht
> and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>
> For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
>
> ****************************************************************
>
> :::-----Original Message-----
> :::From: MilosKitchen [mailto:sagmoore@zoominternet.net]
> :::Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:13 PM
> :::To: Joy Hecht
> :::Subject: RE: Thanks to all of you - and HEADLIGHT REPAIR!
> :::
> :::Joy,
> :::The "adjusters" as they are called (the white nylon housings / screw)
are
> :::still (and only, I think) available at the dealer. I had to buy two for
> :::my
> :::Syncro, 'bout $8 a pop, two day wait. You do have to specify which
> :::position
> :::they are for, (LH, RH, upper, inner etc.). Hey, they get a little
crispy
> :::after 17 years. If I were stuck to the front of a van for 17 years, I'd
> :::probably be cracked and crispy too.
> :::Dave Milo
> :::
> :::-----Original Message-----
> :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> :::Of Joy Hecht
> :::Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 10:35 AM
> :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> :::Subject: Thanks to all of you - and HEADLIGHT REPAIR!
> :::
> :::
> :::Thank you very much, everyone who replied to my emails of yesterday. I
> :::really did want to hear lots of views on transportation modes, and I
> :::appreciate all of your replies.
> :::
> :::This morning I took to the headlight with the Bentley and the
> :::screwdriver,
> :::removed the assembly, drained out the water, and I'm studying the
> :::pinhole.
> :::
> :::I had a couple of suggestions on pinhole repair - clear silicone,
> :::aquarium
> :::sealant, and a windshield stone chip repair kit. Are these actually
all
> :::essentially the same? Any advice on sealing the tiny hole before I
> :::start?
> :::Sealant outside the lens or inside? Or some of each?
> :::
> :::I also had a couple of warnings not to break the plastic housing into
> :::which
> :::the headlight assembly screws. Well, the PO already did that for me.
> :::The
> :::outer (low, rectangular) beams are attached with three screws, two on
the
> :::inside (relative to the edge of the van) and one on the outside. The
> :::housing on the outside screws of both headlights is basically gone. In
> :::fact, the headlights have wiggled in place for as long as I've had the
> :::van -
> :::I'm surprised the inspectors didn't get me on that.
> :::
> :::Can I replace the housing? Or is there some other recommended fix for
> :::that?
> :::
> :::And I'm going to be a little less of a goody-two-shoes, and take the
van
> :::to
> :::a different inspector, blow another $15, and hopefully she'll pass
> :::inspection with my sealed headlight.
> :::
> :::Next, gotta figure out why my new license plate bulb is dimmer than the
> :::old
> :::one.
> :::
> :::Maybe I'm even educable on the subject of really minor repairs?
> :::
> :::
> :::
> :::Joy
> :::
> :::p.s. To the fulltimers list - my apologies for this mechanical post!
:-
> :::)
> :::
> :::
> :::****************************************************************
> :::Joy Hecht
> :::and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
> :::
> :::For musings about life and the vanadventures:
> :::http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
> :::
> :::****************************************************************
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