Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:21:24 -0600
Reply-To: ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: ralph meyermann <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing Canvas on Westy
In-Reply-To: <664981.12596.qm@web160616.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
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My top is still in the package awaiting the install after body and paint
haven't opened it yet to see. Its almost as bad as xmas
On Jun 22, 2011 11:57 AM, "David Vickery" <david_vickery@yahoo.com> wrote:
That's the one I just put on recently too. I am disappointed to hear other
people's issues as I wondered myself about a couple things. I still think
it is a good option but I will be more careful not to rip it.
My issues are that the fabric is thin and the side zippers are weak. I
thought of replacing the side zippers with velcro or something. It is odd
to use velcro on the front and cheap mini-plastic zippers on the sides.
When I partially open the sides and I tuck the fabric down into the pocket
created by unzipping it. That keeps any pressure off the zipper. The front
zipper is beefy, which makes the side zippers look so obviously undersized.
And you can get used to the front zipper/velcro arrangement, but it helps
not to undo the front all the way, so it is easy to zip it back up. But
ofcourse if you want more breeze, you will have to undo it all the way and
just deal with the zipper later.
The finished look is the best of any I have seen, and I checked out quite a
few before I bought this one. It looks great, but it is pretty snug which
concerns me in that the material is pretty thin. Still, I would expect it
will last 10 years, just need to be careful of accidentally ripping it, or
breaking those wimpy side zippers.
Next time, I would look at other options but might still wind up getting the
same one. Below is another option I think may have been better but I didn't
know when I ordered. http://www.atelierspk.com/Picture.html
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4379258
The quality appears better but the fit isn't as snug. And the install I saw
on a van didn't look as good as the website photos, so maybe it's a little
harder to get it snug. The busdepot one fits more perfectly without
adjusting the top or bottom. I might also consider acrylic fabric next time
for the durability, although I saw quite a few posts saying stay away from
it. Hard saying. I'd love to hear from someone that tried the BD one, and
then found something better.
Dave in Fort Collins
--- On Tue, 6/21/11, Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Just reading the last two posts. ...