I certainly agree that three window is the way to go. but instalation
aside, I would go with a synthetic.

I had a small crack in my top that let water in and I ended up with
mould on the old cotton top. Synthetics woudl be much more resistant.

I believe the model from Bus depot even has removable screens so that
if you rip one you can just zip in a replacement.

Chris

On 6/29/06, Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> I would go with the three window cotton canvas.  They should last forever if
> you keep your seals in good order and avoid cutting the thing in the hinges,
> etc.  I have installed the cotton, and the acrylic.  I don't care for the
> acrylic canvas as it is super stiff.  When you go to pop the top, you will
> need to open a window or the sliding door or you will find yourself inside
> of a suction machine.  When you go to install it, you will curse how still
> it is.  Installing a canvas is like nailing yourself inside your own coffin
> without having to wrestle with super thick material.  Just my advice.  Have
> fun and get a fan to blow on you while you are in there.  It helps stave off
> the claustrophobia that would grip a mole under the same circumstances.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> http://www.vanagain.com
> http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
> http://www.eurovan.org
> http://www.vwcabrio.org
> Phone: (856)-327-4936
> Fax: (856)-327-2242
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Frank Condelli
> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 5:51 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Pop-top canvas replacement.
>
>
> OK, folks here is a can of worms to be  opened.  I need to change the
> canvass on my '87 Westy.  I want the  very best.  What opinions are there ?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley _Frank Condelli  &
> Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> _Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11,  2006
>