Date:         Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:54:29 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: Repair/refurbishment 1982 westy interior
In-Reply-To:  <bfe777b09597f9b7e1aa52ca832726ef416ab2df@watchguard.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I've done this as have others. It can all be handled virtually
single-handedly if you're willing to cut some boards to support the
rear cabinet (up high) which you'll need to do to get that long strip
that with the vents in it that goes over the sliding door.

The similar panel right over the "parcel rack" on the kitchen side can
come up without removing the rack completely, you just have to mess
around with it.

The back hatch and the sliding door interior are easy. The headliner
isn't too bad either, I did this by myself. While the headliner board
is out is a good time to install and wiresome aimable LEDs between the
driver's and passenger's head positions.

You're going to need some good contact cement and some small rollers
and trays to roll on both surfaces. Don't be fooled by high-temp spray
on glue, it let go on the first hot spell and had to be reglued with
the roll-on contact cement. You'll probably need help for this, as once
contact is made the stuff can't be moved. If you really don't have any
help, try sheets of poster board or strips of wax paper in between that
can be removed (slipped out) when the covering is in place. Roll good
and hard with a roller.

Fill any imperfections you find before covering the boards.

If you've never done this glueing before, read up on it. You need a
roller to roll it down, don't put both surfaces together until the are
cured (not while they're wet).

Get yourself (say at harbor freight) a leather punch set to punch out
all the fastener holes per the original holes in the backing boards. A
tap with a hammer will ensure a perfect hole in each appropriate spot.
Likewise, put an awl through each screwhole to mark them in the new
covering, it's the only way you'll know where they are from the front
when you re-install them.

I used a good-quality vinyl almost the same color as the original, a
bit less yellow. I like it because it is thicker and a little more
sound-deadening. But, you can buy the original style basket-weave
material from several vendors you see on this list.

It sure does look better once this job is done.
On Oct 11, 2004, at 11:20 AM, Lucas Thompson wrote:

> Hello list!
>
> I got a 1982 westy at auction recently. It's in excellent shape except
> for the stock cream colored plastic sheet glued to all the fiber-wood
> interior panels. All the glue has let go and the plastic has peeled off
> exposing gluey wood everywhere.
>
> Considering the great shape of the rest of the van, I'd like to somehow
> make the panel situation better. Perhaps someone else on this list has
> faced this problem before and found a good solution?
>
> Also is there general feeling on a good cleaning technique for the
> inside of the pop top whetn it gets a bit moldy? The fuzzy vellux is in
> good shape and I'd hate to damage it with the wrong cleaning stuff.

Hit it with clorox cleanup, come back later and try to sponge out the
dead/loosened mold with water and a sponge.

Hope this helps,

Jim
>
> Thanks in advance.
>