Date:         Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:55:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Canvas replacement comments & video
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I’ve completely restored my top, including repainting with an automotive
paint, and purchased the acrylic canvas from Van-Café.  This is a great
product!  It’s thicker than the OEM cotton, which I did not want to use here
in the wet Northwest.  Three windows and large zippers with large  pulls,
and fits perfectly.  

 

I looked for other acrylic canvas options, but all were out of stock.  The
fellow in Canada mentioned in an earlier post has Sunbrella in multiple
colors, but has a minimum six month backlog to fill before he’d even
consider taking orders. 

 

If you want it now and want acrylic, Van-Café is a great choice, assuming
they still have them in stock!

 

Be sure to check out this video of a professional installing a new canvas at
a campground (trained stunt upholsterer, don’t try this yourself):
http://vimeo.com/12165017  

 

I took my top off because of all the work I was doing on it, and I’m not
flexible enough to get those upper screws in like he did!  I used blue
masking tape to hold the canvas up out of the way when we put it back on.
The bottom wasn’t too difficult once the back edge was done, and clipping
the corner bead is a big help. 

 

I’m very pleased with the finished product.  I started with a mold infested
dirty top and rotted canvas, and now have a freshly cleaned and painted top
with a new canvas, new seal, stainless steel fasteners (including the
skylight hinges and luggage tie downs), and gas springs.  

 

Four different suppliers:  GoWesty for the SS bits and Westy logos, Bus
Depot for their excellent seal kit, Van-Café for the canvas, and Jack Bombay
for the gas springs.  What a difference, and it’s much better than a similar
set up my EVC had!  

 

Stuart

’85 Westy