Mine's been out in the real world all of its life, and in AZ summers where
interior temps reach over 150 deg.  No shrinkage here, either.  Oh yeah,
mines an '85 with brown interior.  And to think I used to be jealous of
those nice grey '86 models.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Smith" <chris.smith@AQUILA.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 8:13 AM
Subject: Re: Westfalia cabinet molding...

> At 08:48 PM 5/9/00 -0400, Bulley wrote:
> >I have a theory about the molding based on a comprehensive data sample of
> >one. Our 1982 Vanagon has NO signs of retreating molding, None. (we've
got
> >the older brown mold). Here's what I think:
>
> you lucky b****rd!!
>
>
> >The PO of our van never used any cleaning solvents of any sort, nor did
she
> >use AmorAl or any such potion in the interior. Water with scant
detergent.
> >These aftermarket potions may further the drying process.
>
> hmm.. maybe..
>
> >Further, the van has been in an attached/semi-heated/cooled garaged for
> >most of its 19 years. No heating/cooling cycle. Thus no expansion and
> >contraction of the material, nor much increased drying of the vinyl.
>
> ah ha! that is probably the real reason.  It's amazing how long stuff
lasts
> if it can be kept away from the "real world".  Just ask any grad student
:-)
>
> >With these thoughts in mind, I think I got REALLY lucky, and I better
keep
> >the thing in the garage, and not use ArmoriAl. Thoughts?
>
> We could trade molding.  That way your van would be more normal and not
> feel like such an outcast at VW gatherings.  I have a nice, standard
shrunk
> molding set that I would be willing to trade you off my '82.  There are
> even a few really wrinkled bits to ad the final "lived-in" touches.  I
know
> that this would make MY van the outcast, but I'm willing to take the
> chiding and ostracism for you.
>
> Chris Smith
> '82 Westy (TURD)
> '74 Thing
> Some cars that even run
>