Date:         Tue, 30 Jul 2013 07:06:26 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: UHMW tape for sliding door track
In-Reply-To:  <4A002E58-E8E8-4112-9204-7ECBCE018C27@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I'm doing the tape mod to the lower and midline tracks on my '84. A
quieter door will be a very good thing.

About the upper track. This older ('84) style door where we have a
plastic block that slides in the channel. It doesn't seem to be very
noisy, so I reckon I'm not going to need to do anything to it. But I
wonder if there might be some benefit to applying some kind of dry lube
up there?

Also, the thick vinyl trim strip that covers the edge of the upper track
-- the front end doesn't stay in place where the track curves. It pops
out no matter how firmly I moosh it into place. I'm thinking to paste it
into place with generic contact cement unless someone knows of a better
choice of adhesive.

Many thanks.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.

On 07/28/2013 10:07 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> I used brake cleaner to clean all the surfaces when I did this mod a while back. No paint stripping encountered.
>
> That strip you mention can benefit from cleaning with some vinyl cleaner. It has probably shrunk, soften it with a heat gun and gently pull it back to length.
>
> The metal track cover can be a real bear to remove if it hasn't been removed before.
>
> http://shufti.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/vanagon-sliding-door-quietening-hack/
>
> alistair
>
>
>
>
> On 2013-07-28, at 9:09 PM, MICHAEL H wrote:
>
>> good point, Tom. I meant to mention that weather strip/grommet across the top of that panel, Jack. this is a prime candidate for reconditioning , much like the window scrapers in the front doors. you might also wash and wax that channel before replacing the panel.    mike
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Tom Boldway <jboldway@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 11:39 PM
>> Subject: Re: UHMW tape for sliding door track
>>
>>
>> Acetone works extremely well for cleaning things. However, keep it away from paint! Brake fluid is even worse for paint. When you remove the slider cover make sure you tap UP on the bottom of the panel to free it. Don't pull out or such - get a piece of wood or such and hammer straight up on the ends of the panel alternating from front to rear a bit at a time (naturally after you removed the two screws).
>>
>> Tom