Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:49:02 -0400
Reply-To: Donald Thomas <don_thomas@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Donald Thomas <don_thomas@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: 82 Westy cleaning and/or painting of the Pop Top?
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Aimee, I got this off the list not too long ago and it really encouraged
me. I can't wait ti try it. I wish I knew who posted it. My apologies to
him.
Don Thomas
82 Westy
Refinishing a Westy Pop Top
After years of exposure, Westy fiberglass tops lose their original gel coat
finish and become absorbent to stains and soil. If yours is aged and you
look closely, you can actually see exposed fiberglass cloth fibers.
Refinishing means sealing the fiberglass and applying a new outer skin. One
way is applying new gel coat (very difficult and expensive). Another is
refinishing with automotive materials.
I refinished our '74 project Westy pop top with catalyzed (appliance white)
DuPont automotive acrylic enamel over PPG urethane primer. One quart of
each, plus the requisite reducer and catalyst hardener.
I used a PPG flattening agent in the enamel to get a semi gloss (dull)
finish. Two coats of urethane primer covered the fiberglass fibers. Three
coats of enamel finished the job.
All of this refinish material is available at any automotive refinish
supplies store. Look in the phone book. If you don't have spray equipment,
prepare the top as instructed below, print off these instructions, and take
both to any auto body shop.
Many refinished pop tops look lousy because:
1. They're too shiny. The fiberglass is not smooth like sheet metal; make it
shiny and it looks terrible
2. Paint failure. Without the right prep and primer, paint won't stick
fiberglass. It starts popping off and cracking after a few of months of
exposure
This job takes maybe 3 - 4 hours of labor, if you're finicky. The trick is
to use the right refinish materials.
The result looks like a new top; not shiny, but a nice matte white finish.
For colored tops as used on later Vanagon Westies, etc, just supply the
vehicle paint code to the auto refinish supply shop; they will match it.
Here's some more detail:
- To do a good job, take the top off the vehicle. This only takes 20 minutes
or so. Detach the tent at the top by first marking center front and rear and
then pulling off the stapled plastic strips and remaining postioning
staples. Mark the four strips (front, rear, left, fight) Undo the hinge and
hold up bracket fastners. Get a friend to help lift off the top and place
upon saw horses or something. The top weighs about 80 lbs.
- Clean the top with Ajax and a Scotch Brite pad, rinsing with water. This
will quickly get all the dirt and black stuff off.
- Let dry for at least one day
- Scuff with 220 dry sandpaper. Don't try to smooth the finish; just
uniformly scratch it up with the paper. It sands easily, and this will only
take a few minutes.
- Blow off and wipe down (damp cloth then dry cloth) with a 1:2 rubbing
alcohol:water mix. Prep Sol surface cleaner will soak into the fiberglass
and cause paint failure, hence the alcohol/water mix.
- Apply two single wet coats of Urethane primer. Wait 30 minutes between
coats. Urethane primer adheres well to fiberglass and doesn't require
sanding like primer surfacers. Do not use lacquer based primer surfacer; it
will not adhere long term. If you must use primer surfacer, use epoxy based
primer. Just remember that the pop top surface is naturally irregular.
Filling and sanding is not advised, as you will spend hours on end and
produce a paint film that is far too thick and hence inflexible and failure
prone
- After 90 minutes, scuff primer lightly with clean Scoth Brite pad, blow
off, and tack (tack cloth)
- Apply Acryilic Enamel top coat (mix flattening agent as directed;
typically 1:4). Wait 10 minutes between single wet coats
- Let dry a couple of days before putting into service. Wait 3 months before
waxing (see below)
- Use stainless steel staples when reattaching tent. Line up front and rear
reference marks, staple four corners into postion, then restaple strips
- If your fastening hardware is rusty, replace with stainless steel (any
good marine hardware store will match). 1/4" SS bolts can be used in lieu of
stock 6mm bolts, if necessary
- The new acrylic enamel finish should last at least 20 years if you just
wash with auto soap once in a while (eg, Zip Wax shampoo) . Do not use harsh
detergents or abrasive cleaners ever. Wax once a year, if you like. The new
finish will not mildew or stain
----- Original Message -----
From: "Aimee MacLeod" <emeraldcityrealty@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 11:57 PM
Subject: 82 Westy cleaning and/or painting of the Pop Top?
>I am wondering the best way to clean the top exterior of my camper. The
> white pop top is very dirty and there is moss growing between the top and
> the seals I also want to remove. It is water tight now and I hope that
> cleaning the moss out won't make it start to leak. Also, can I or should
> I
> paint the pop top to preserve it, and if so, with what type of paint or
> sealer?
>
> I appreciate any feedback.
>
> Aimee
