Hi Jonce,

Thanks for the info!  Since reading your email, I've been giving myself a
crash course in fabric education, reading about FMVSS-302 and
lightfastness.  I've found lots of fabric online that meets spec, but can't
see buying it without knowing what it feels like.

I'm told there are a few auto fabric places around Denver so I'm going to
check them out as soon as it warms up a bit.

I did meet a guy with a Westfalia who had redone his rear bench with
Sunbrella fabric.  It looked good and wasn't too vinyl-ish.  I'm thinking
about looking into that as well.

Thanks again.
Joe

On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 6:46 PM, Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@frontier.com>wrote:

> Hi
> If going to a fabric store you may not find fabrics with UV protection.
> There are Auto Upholstery fabrics that will give much better performance for
> the rigors of Auto needs. Do a bit of research before dropping coin and time
> on something that will just turn to crap in no time flat.
> Have fun!
> Jonce
> BTW a rule of thumb is if it has a MVSS-302 usually it will work just fine
> for auto but make sure it has a lightfastness of MANY hours in the sun. Hate
> to see your work fade into dust!
>
>
>  This is a very timely topic...
>>
>> My mother-in-law and I are heading to the fabric store next weekend to
>> pick
>> out the new interior for my Vanagon.  She's offered to teach me how to do
>> the whole thing. I'm very excited to get into upholstery and to learn a
>> new
>> skill!
>>
>> Joe T.
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 9:18 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> > ---- Mark Dearing <VWBrain@AOL.COM> wrote:
>> > > In a message dated 1/29/2011 10:40:34 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>> > > fonman4277@COMCAST.NET writes:
>> > >
>> > > I am one  of seven siblings
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > hey david  I am also 0ne of seven.  my father flew P38s during  WW2  ,
>> > > became chief of construction on the N&W railway , got into VW  buses
>> > cause it
>> > > was the only thing that could carry all of the family.  he  is the
>> only
>> > person
>> > > I know that has flipped 2 buses. Course we had to learn how  to fix
>> them,
>> > I
>> > > rebuilt my first engine at 14 , was driving them even earlier  around
>> the
>> > > neighborhood and woods. Unlike jeff I really miss my father, he would
>> >  love
>> > > my vanagon westy. later  mark d
>> >
>> > Well, unlike most on this list, I am not deep into mechanics, but the
>> > basics were required when we were kids, and I required them of my
>> daughter.
>> >  but I go to a pro for anything beyond basics.  I do carry a tool kit
>> with
>> > me, and by having the camper in tip top shape on departure for a trip, I
>> can
>> > keep it going and usually get out of a jam (haven't really had much in
>> the
>> > way of a jam, just some concerns that have never gotten me stuck
>> somewhere
>> > for long).  But getting into transmissions and engine innards, or even
>> r&r
>> > major parts, I generally don't do it.  When I needed a radiator, I had
>> it
>> > done at a shop.  I'll be adding an external oil cooler from "ten cent
>> life
>> > before summer," and I don't know right now whether I'll do it myself or
>> hire
>> > it out.  I do have a great guy who doesn't mind that I do a few things
>> > myself who does my heavy stuff.  He will even advise me on things I do
>> > myself.
>> >
>> > mcneely
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Joe T.
>> '85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2
>>
>
>

--
Joe T.
'85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2