Date:         Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:21:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: 82 Westy cleaning and/or painting of the Pop Top?
Comments: To: Aimee MacLeod <emeraldcityrealty@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <60ba0e631003142057s31327ff3l60273e74163ca627@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Aimee,

I cleaned and re-installed the pop-top on my 73 camper a few years ago.
OK, it was 10 years ago. But the process is the same, regardless.

Cleaning off the moss is a job best done with a mild scouring cleanser
like VIM or Comet. Use a 3M scotchbrite pad and you can bring an amazing
luster back into the old fibreglass. Mine came out looking so good that
if I hadn't already bought the paint I probably wouldn't have painted it.

The early VW pop-tops weren't painted. But I don't think VW really
expected them to last 30 years or more, and by the time they had some
indication that UV would damage fibreglass they started painting them.

To paint the pop-top I always recommend using Interlux Premium Yacht
Enamel. It's about $35/qt, and it can be applied with a brush or small
roller. It goes on and is formulated so that its surface tension makes
it super-smooth as it dries. The results look amazing, and 10 years
later mine still looks great.


Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

Aimee MacLeod wrote:
> 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
>


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