I replaced the panels many years ago.  I bought a 4x8 sheet at Lowe's that
had light color acceptable pattern on it.  There are several to choose from.
This thin, 1/8" laminated board I cut out to the same pattern of the
existing panels and fitted them in there instead.  They still look new and I
think they are better quality, stronger.  It is a lot of work, not only
taking the old one out for pattern but to install the new ones.
Above the front seats it was more difficult to fit in because I cut it the
same size.  I had to make it smaller to be able to make it fit.  After I
shattered the first one, it was easier the second time.  Now the car looks
better than new.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jarrett Anthony Kupcinski" <kpcnsk@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 9:40 AM
Subject: Re: Advice needed for Lucky-Seven . . .82 Vanagon

> Wow!  That's quite a project.  But if the body's in great shape,
> you're golden.
>
> Sanding and painting the panels may be the easiest route if they're
> some sort of plywood.  The panels in my old '73 Westy were that way.
> They were birch, and I actually stained and varnished them (very
> pretty!).  The panels in my '89 are some sort of press-board stuff,
> so sanding/painting those would be out.  Don't know what you have.
>
> Bare wood will make your interior more noisy.  If you want a bit more
> quiet on the road, you could think of covering them with a vinyl or
> velour, which you can find at either a larger fabric store or an auto-
> upholstery place.  It's a bit of a trick to pull upholstery smooth
> over a flat suface, but once you get it down, it may be quicker than
> painting/sanding.  If you decide to recover, i'd go get a canvas
> puller (found at an art supply store, used for stretching canvas over
> frames).
>
> I don't know anything about the GoWesty headliner.  Their stuff is
> usually pretty good quality, though sometimes pricey.  Again, you may
> be able to find something cheaper (especially if you're not going for
> a stock-look) at a local auto-upholstery place.
>
> Easy way to take down the curtains?  Hire a crew of nimble fingered
> little people would get my vote.  Four or five should get the job
> done nicely.
>
> Finding seats with arms may actually be a cheaper route than trying
> retrofit a set onto your existing seats.  They're usually not
> terribly pricey.  One listmember just recently spoke of getting a set
> for around $50 at some salvage lot, if I recall.  I don't know about
> any difference in the fitting of the rails between newer and older
> vans, though, so you'll want to check this first.
>
> Repairing the formica would probably be your toughest task, I would
> think.  It seems pretty well attached to the wood on my '89, so
> removing it would be a chore, I would think.  You MIGHT be able to
> put something over the top of the existing surface, if you make sure
> it's level and smooth.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Jarrett
> 89 Westy, Olly
>
> On Mar 24, 2007, at 4:42 PM, Rose Lee Geiger wrote:
>
>> BlankAlso sent this post to the Type-Two list.
>>
>> I'm finally getting around to asking some questions.  These questions
>> pertain ONLY to the Vanagon's interior . . . .NOTHING mechanical!
>> I understand that MOST "first" questions are about TIRES . . . but
>> thanks to
>> the Archives, private emails, and all of the stuff I've already
>> downloaded
>> for Granddad John, I'm not going there.
>> FEI . . . (For Everyone's Information) I am the computer guru in
>> this family
>> . . John might control the TV Flicker, but I control the computer
>> keyboard!  So when HE asks the questions, I'll be doing the typing.
>> HONESTLY, I DID try to search the Archives for stuff about the
>> interior, but
>> either I missed something or didn't type in the right "search"
>> words.  I DID
>> see the gorgeous work done to an '83 Westy,
>> back in 2002, but I think it was a bit more than I can handle.  These
>> fingers aren't
>> nearly as nimble as they were 20 years ago.
>>
>> I'll try to be brief and precise.
>>
>> If you can log on to our site at:
>> http://www.geocities.com/nannarose70/pagethree  you can see what
>> I'm talking
>> about.
>>
>> 1. I'm thinking the best thing to do is to sand down the panels and
>> PAINT???
>> 2. Has anyone purchased and installed  the headliner available from
>> "Go
>> Westy"?  Is there a better one somewhere?
>> 3. Has anyone found an EASY way to remove/rehang the curtains?
>> 4. Is there any way to install arms on the front seats?
>> 5. What can be done about the many cracks in the Formica . . . I
>> GUESS it's
>> Formica . . . this is the worst of all of our previous vans.
>>
>> That 's probably enough for the moment.
>> Hoping to get started as soon as Lucky gets home from the German
>> Motors
>> Shop.
>>
>> Nana Rose in Mesa, Arizona
>> roseleegeiger@msn.com
>>
>>
>> "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
>>  - Aldous Huxley
>
>
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