Date:         Mon, 3 Nov 2008 08:51:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Tom LaLanne <tomlalanne@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom LaLanne <tomlalanne@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Pop top maintenance
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Hi folks,

When I first bought my '86 Westy in 2001, its tan top wasn't pretty.  In addition to rust stains from the original hardware, its finish was dull and milky.  I spent a lot of time cleaning the rust and polishing the fiberglass, and replacing all the bolts and other hardware with stainless, and then applied a good auto wax over the top.  The top looked beautiful, but it had been a huge amount of work.  Several years later, the top had begun to fade, and I read on the list about someone who recommended painting the top with a product whose name I cannot now recall.  The product's main purpose was as an additive to paints to make the paint spread evenly.  I bought a can at a marine outfitter - I think West Marine.  After washing the top, I painted it with this stuff.  It was incredible.  The top looked better than after I had done all the work several years before.  Somehow, I felt almost like I was cheating.  Well, I'd like to cheat again, but can't remember how.  One of those dreaded senior moments.  Does anyone know the name of this product?  I've tried unsuccessfully to find it in the archives.

Tom LaLanne