John,

You had the exact same experience I had with the GoWesty product, but I also
had previously tried this with a really cheap quality one from Rocky
Mountain or JCWhitney a few years back and ripped the canvas.  Luckily,
GoWesty's non-cotton one is of better quality and size.  So, I guess I have
done this about 2.7 times.

I also heartily recommend leaving the fiberglass on.  I see absolutely no
advantage, except that it may take more time because you are taking off the
entire roof.  The screws are not any easier to get to in my opinion.  Plus
you will get a really good work out of your arms trying to put it back
together from below.

Some warnings:  Do as John says and do the corners first.  Study the fabric
enough to realize that the fabric needs to stretch more in circumference
than in vertical height and use this to your advantage.  When you put the
rear holder on, stretch the fabric out to the ends, freeing up fabric,
before screwing in each screw.  The screws are very easy to strip.  And the
metal is easy to strip.  You may need some #8 1/2" screws to replace the #6
1/2" screws in some holes that have worn too big or some of both of those to
replace the originals.

Dana
85 Westy 1.9TD fully restored in time to hit my first deer!
04 Beetle 1.9TDi

------------------------------

Date:    Sun, 11 Jun 2006 00:15:19 -0400
From:    John Reddick <SVYOLO@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Removing the poptop -- how many people?

I have done a very small amount of canvas work on boats in my somewhat
checkered past.  Looking at my new tent from Gowesty about a year ago, I saw
absolutely no reason to remove the top.  After doing it 1.7 times (another
story), I highly recommend NOT removing the top.  It is more work, more
risk, and doesn't make the hardest job (the aft corners) any easier. I did

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