Date:         Sun, 21 Dec 2014 13:13:32 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sealant on poptop bolts?
In-Reply-To:  <B5344200-EF30-4881-9F18-C3656276D194@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Well, the SS bolts can withstand more stress than the fiberglass can!  The
hinges have four bolts each to the top, and the only force on them is slight
shear.  Reuse the six steel bolts that attach the hinges to the van top
though.

I didn't want rusty bits staining my new paint job!

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Stacy Schneider [mailto:vwcrewman@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2014 12:53 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Sealant on poptop bolts?

         Personally I would put those roof bolts right back in and not worry
about them , there is more than enough sealant there to do its job. One
thing I would not do is replace them with stainless. SS is soft and strips
and I would not trust it to the Stress that top puts in the body. If you
HAVE to seal those holes buy some 3M strip Caulk , silicone is a no no as
well , holds moisture and helps to promote corrosion.
       As far as stainless fasteners everywhere else , hell ya ! I have them
on my truck and van in all of the lighting holes and where ever else they
are exposed to the elements. Not a cheap upgrade but worth every penny .

                                 Stacy

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 21, 2014, at 12:42 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
wrote:
>
> You aren't going to reuse those old bolts are you???  For all the trouble
and expense you have gone to so far, get the stainless steel kits and
replace all the hardware on top. GW has them for the top hinges,
miscellaneous top bolts, luggage rack screws and tie-downs, top latch bolts,
and skylight bolts (and SS hinges too).  What's another $100 or so!?
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Marc Perdue
> Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2014 11:22 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Sealant on poptop bolts?
>
> Hi all,
>
> I'm busy putting all the parts back on my van and I'm focusing on
> getting it sealed up before any rains come. When they took the poptop
> off to paint it, the bolts that go through the top and into the hinge
> used to lift it were taken out. They appear to have had some kind of
> white gunk on them to seal them and prevent leakage. Any ideas what
> that might be or what I should use in its place? After the recent
> conversations about silicone, I'm hesitant to use silicone caulk on
> it.
>
> Thanks!
> Marc Perdue