Date:         Mon, 20 Mar 2006 07:53:26 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Poptop water-proofing
Comments: cc: thosewilsons@GMAIL.COM, Greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Josh wrote:
>> During the night, my wife and I noticed that the
entire interior of the poptop, which was closed, was
damp to the touch. The felt became even more wet
today. It seems like it's simply soaking through the
top...? Is this a common problem?


Josh, I'll agree with Greg Potts' prior comments, and
add that changing weather
conditions/humidity/dewpoints can really exacerbate
the notoriously stuffy Westfalia interior conditions.

As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure that the
condensation which Greg mentions is the PURPOSE of the
flocked surface on the underside of the Westy roof.

That fuzzy flocking captures and retains more of the
naturally-occurring moisture than would a hard, smooth
fiberglass surface, which would probably otherwise
allow the moisture to condense and drip on your head
and upholstery while you slept. Secondly, when you get
up in the morning and start opening windows, etc., the
fibers of the flocking help to quickly 'wick' the
moisture off the roof and back into the atmosphere,
instead of encouraging mold and mildew. All in all, a
pretty clever design.

Still, it's always wise to park the van with the roof
raised and a window open in dry days to allow it to
air out after rainy days, or even after every camping
trip.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna make like a duck
and get the flock outta here ...


P.S.: Josh, how are you enjoying Mejico? The Baja
region in particular is on my wish-list of Westy
destinations.


Good luck!

Jeffrey Earl
1983 diesel Westfalia "Vanasazi"
http://www.vanthology.com/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com