Hi Jim,

Thank you for your tips.  Much appreciated. If you get a chance, would love
to see some pictures of your work here.  I've used the following site to
post up some pictures on the quick.  Might come in handy.

http://imgur.com/

I'll check out zippersource and order the part.

+nirav
<http://imgur.com/>

On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 9:24 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> Nirav,
>
> Zipper installation tips for a westy poptop canvas
>
> I can probably tell you anything you want to know about zipper replacement
> as that is what I did early this spring. I discovered that the fabric around
> the zipper had rotted, and I cut the old zipper out with a stitch cutter
> (available at any sewing shop or WalMart). I ordered a new zipper from
> zippersource.com (highly recommended, but not real quick service) to match
> my canvas color. You need 68 inches so order 72 and cut it off where you
> need it. You don't need the little metal clamps for the ends because you are
> going to sew then ends over with canvas so the zipper will not come off. Zip
> the two halves together, and starting from the left (presuming you want the
> zipper like the original was) pin the bottom half to the flap about every
> three inches. Then go back and pin the upper half to the canvas part in the
> same way. You HAVE to do it this way to make the curves come out right and
> to make the zipper halves line up when you are done. Test the zipper with
> the pins in place before you sew a stitch.
>
> I bought a ten dollar hand held sewing device that did not end up being
> much help but it saved a little time. What you need, and what I used on 90%
> of my project, was a needle, thread and thimble. Don't try to do it in one
> day. I took breaks from work and spent a half hour at a times, two or three
> times a day, over three days. Yes it is slow but the results will be very
> good. Take the pins out as you work around from the left. Put plenty of
> stitches over the zipper ends. Do two rows of stitches on the lower half and
> two rows on the upper, just like the original. I am extremely please to have
> my screen and flat working properly again.
>
> If I can answer any more questions, please ask before the memory fades!
>
> Best,
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Nirav V. Patel [USA] <goodbhai@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Hi Jim,
>>
>> Where can I find this zipper replacement?  I think I could do the same
>> thing, as my canvas is not bad but my zipper is broken.
>>
>> +nirav
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 6:11 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> A while back I order of of Jonce Fancher's excellent kits to replace the
>>> poptop screen in 76-88 campers with the rounded window top. Trouble, I
>>> needed a new zipper and not a new screen. This year I sewed in a new
>>> zipper
>>> by hand and came to the conclusion that I am never going to use this
>>> replacement screen. It comes with everything it came to me with,
>>> including
>>> instructions and adhesive (this isn't a sewing job).
>>>
>>> If your screen needs replacing, this is the setup.
>>>
>>> $35.00 shipped. I paid $45.
>>>
>>> Later,
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>
>>
>