Date:         Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:11:39 -0230
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: fiberglass repair on poptop
In-Reply-To:  <090420082329.7897.48C06F480005512700001ED92207300033CDC09D0A05070D9B03@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 8:59 PM, <mtbiker62@comcast.net> wrote:

> Joy,
>
> My application of this kit on my van put me in the position of having to
> elongage one hole, on one side (left, I think) because of the "warped"
> nature of the fiberglass top and slight variation of the distance from
> center of the bottom end of the strut anchor point, up to the hole in the
> pop top. (I think the coat hanger method of checking distance is much more
> effective than any measuring, due to the possibility of the pop top warpage
> problem/feature).


The dimensions offered on the coat hanger method are not the dimensions of
the strut.  We actually used an extremely precise engineering instrument
instead of the coat hanger - but we followed the dimensions in the
instructions instead of measuring the strut and using that dimension.  ("We"
is me and Keith Pike here in Newfoundland, BTW.)


> I simply put quite a lot of black silicone rubber cement in both these
> bolts/washers to be sure the holes were sealed for life. I'm pretty sure you
> could do the same and using the fender washers on both inside and outside
> the pop top and one bolt/nut, sealed well witht he silicone cement,
> accomplish a very effective seal. Not the greatest looking result, but very
> effective.


Do you think that black silicone rubber cement would do to plug an entire
hole, as opposed to just filling in a slightly-too-large hole? Is it solid
enough?  Sounds pretty easy!  What about epoxy, for that matter?  That would
be easy too.

>
>
> Hope this makes sense and actually is applicable to the problem you are
> expressing.


It does make sense, thanks!



Joy

>
>
> bob
>   -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
> > Hi folks,
> >
> > I've got a hole in my poptop that I'm looking for a way to plug.  I
> ordered
> > one of the poptop strut kits, followed the instructions, and it turned
> out
> > the struts that came with it were shorter than the dimensions given for
> the
> > holes to attach them.  I attached the first strut andchecked that all was
> > well before drilling the second hole, and found the problem.
> >
> > The hole should center at a spot 5/16 of an inch away from the existing
> > hole.  I've emailed the person who assembles the kits and asked him to
> send
> > me struts long enough to match his instructions, but if I can patch the
> hole
> > and drill a new one, that might be better.  And probably quicker.
> >
> > The kit includes large fender washers that go on both sides of the hole
> in
> > the poptop, and they would cover the patched hole as well providing some
> > support.
> >
> > Does anyone have suggestions for how to do this?  Ideally I'd like to put
> in
> > a metal plug the dimensions of the hole (5/16") and the depth of the
> > fiberglass.  But I'm guessing a fiberglass plug, or one of some other
> > material, might be more realistic.
> >
> > Suggestions?
> >
> > And if you're thinking of buying one of those kits, pmail me and I'll
> > explain more precisely what is wrong with the instructions so you don't
> do
> > the same thing.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Joy
>
>