Date:         Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:28:12 -0400
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon stainless steel screws for the exterior

HI, I just want top say a few things about my screws. First, I apologize for
this funny Fickr subject line, but I don't know what to do about it. Doesn't
really matter much, as most of you know that I sell stainless steel screws,
and have seen this same squiggley subject line from me before.

These sheet metal screws that I sell are all metric(except for the 36 piece
set, because all those screws screw into plastic and this is not an issue),
and I can say that metric sheet metal screws are unavailable in the USA
unless you want a hundred or more of each size, and have a tax ID number.
Big deal--you can put in American sized screws, but I cant sell American
sized screws. Metric sheet metal screws are 2-3 times the price of the
comparable US sized screws.

In several cases the sizing makes a difference. In other cases it does not,
but in all these cases it is the owners decision as to which sizing they
want in their Vanagon. I don't know what people are putting into their
$70,000 Vanagons, but I do know that what came out is rusted junk; and for
the number of fine Vanagons that I see, I would be rich if they were using
my screws. Really, I see all those nice pictures on TheSamba, and Flickr,
etc, and have to wonder, as nobody sells stainless steel screws for the
Vanagon that are correct fits.

 The first screw I talk about here here is the lower grill screw. The
comparable American sized #14 is different enough to not give a tight grill.
I know, I tried. These screws do not actually screw into the plastic, but
only spread the plastic prongs that grip the sheet metal from behind. I wish
I could provide the American #14 as it would be 2-3 times cheaper, and does
not screw into metal, but I cannot. I have sold over 500 sets and have had
zero complaints with all my screw sets. If I sold US sized screws I would
probably have 500 complaints, even though we don't really care(most times).

This stainless steel, metric screw for the lower grill is painted semi-gloss
black. I import it to America from Switzerland, and then I put it into a
vibratory tumbler to roughen-up the screw finish so that paint will better
adhere to it. After tumbling these screws I send them across the country to
San Diego to have them painted at Screw Scoop. An automotive exterior paint
is sprayed, then they get sent back to me, and I put them into my 50 piece
supplemental screw set. This is not cheap, but it is the correct way to do
it, and they now exist, where before not even GoWesty provided them.

The Chrome Bumper and End Cap set has M8 carriage bolts. Carriage bolts are
available, but are very difficult to find in stainless steel, in America.
These are again, roughened-up in my tumbler and hand-painted with POR 15
Gloss Black. I use two coats of POR 15 black and then two coats of POR 15
Chassis Black to match the end cap. This is a tough, thick coating, as it is
exposed directly to the headwinds and precipitation of your adventures.

Those rust stains around the impact strips are probably from the plain steel
bolts that attach the bumpers to the vehicle.I replace these with stainless.
I also include self drilling sheet metal screws for the sides of the end
caps, as did VW, when new.

The utility box set includes 12 metric sheet metal WOOD screws.Yes, wood
screw countersinks are molded into the plastic boxes. Not countersinks for
#6 oval head, sheet metal screw. This, even though they do get screwed to
the metal body. Mine are a great fit, and this location needs a great fit
for appearance and the peace of mind of many. I import them from Switzerland.

What quality of stainless steel do I sell? I sell all qualities. Stainless
steel is difficult to source in stainless in many cases, so you have to take
what you  can get. I have 316 flat washers, 18-8, and A-2 stainless.It does
not matter, the quality of stainless metal in these screws. They all look
the same, and that is what they are all there for--for looks.

The flagship of my collection is the oversized, pop top bolt. Go Westy does
sell one, but they need to be used with over sized fender washers.Nobody
else sells them and this is why I had mine special made-up, Did GW tell you
that when you bought them you would need the large washers? You were
probably expecting bolts as the OEM bolts are. GW sells of the shelf, M6
truss head bolts that are way too small for the job. My kit is EXPENSIVE,at
$70, but it includes 20 of these oversized bolts and 6 carriage bolts.

I don't eat lunch with the money I make from selling these. I mostly enjoy
dealing with the Vanagon Community and this is the reason I sell these
fasteners. All my fasteners come labeled as to where they go, and are
correct fits, and the cost consideration was a distant second for me. My
customers agree.


Thanks for reading.