I replaced my canvas with the help of my uncle,yes do have a third party
helping!!! Ended up putting a few ugly blemishes in my 3 day old paint
job!! We took the top off and made it so much easier and cooler being
August. The hard part was notching in the correct place and replacing the
strips and screws upon re assembly!!

Velma 82diesel 1.6 na westy

On Jul 23, 2012 6:45 PM, "Bill M" <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:

Having replaced or assisted in about a
dozen canvas replacements over the years I find yanking the top off a time
saver. With three people pulling the top only takes 15 minutes. Then the
canvas
can be centered and put on the top while comfortable. If
you don't have the man power to yank the top it's still
manageable to do on the van as others have done.
Couple tips:
Pull a couple screws and get a bunch of spares from the hardware store.
Mark the locations where any screw holes are over sized
so when the canvas and metal brackets are off you can
put a dab of wood glue in the hole. That way when installing
the new canvas the threads will grab.
Make sure the canvas isn't inside out. Did that once on a
buddies van who is very very particular. He was upset
and thought we ruined his tent but it was fine.
Use painters tape to hold the tent up while putting the top
back on the van.
Make sure you seal any bolts you remove that go through the top so it don't
leak.
A new canvas is one of the more affordable things you can do that will
really spruce up the vans looks and usefulness.
Last,don't try and patch an old rotten canvas thinking it will
hold your kids up there. I witnessed the aftermath of a five year old that
leaned up against the canvas in the middle of
the night and fell out. I ended up driving the child and father
to the ER in my van as we were pretty much packed to
leave early and it would have taken them a long time to
breakdown. Five staples and a concussion were the end
result. Worst part is he had the canvas under his seat but
never got around to install it.

Bill

On Jul 23, 2012, at 3:48 PM, Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET> wrote:

>
> Taking the top off seemed...