I second Frank Condelli. I've replaced a lot of the exterior bolts/screws
with stainless since getting my van painted. I was amazed how rusty the old
hardware is.

Marc Perdue

On Saturday, March 7, 2015, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:

> Thanks Steve,
>
>         I’ll need a bit of help to pick the correct things from Frank’s
> site but that should work great.  I plan to attend bus Fusion this year so
> hopefully I can arrange to make a pick up of the hardware and a few other
> Vanagon items from him.  I’ll just be very happy to have the correct
> hardware.  I don’t have a good place to go around here where the help could
> actually match things up.  so I’d rather pay frank for his time and get the
> right stuff.
>
> thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
>
> In my case my van is recently painted and upgrading this hardware seems
> like a great upgrade.
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 gL auto Westfalia
>
>
> > On Mar 7, 2015, at 3:47 PM, Stephen Engel <sengel543@yahoo.com
> <javascript:;>> wrote:
> >
> > OK, I'm back. I did a more in-depth search. The bolt size is M6x16,
> don't know pitch. It looks like Frank Condelli and Go Westy are the only
> readily available sources. The Go Westy bolts are 20mm long and as Allister
> says they will interfere with the operation of the hinges, hence the need
> for trimming their bolts. My google search did turn up a Flikr page for
> Roger Sisler, who apparently sold stainless replacement hardware sets as
> well. The link for his eBay store says that the store no longer exists.
> Anybody know what happened to Roger?
> >
> > Do you have an Aubuchon Hardware store by you? Before my local Aubuchon
> in Rutland closed, I would bring my old hardware in and ask for help
> finding a match. They were glad to help and came through every time except
> once. Ace Hardware is almost as good. The bolts might be at Home Depot or
> Lowes, but their staffs are inconsistent and the fastener drawers are
> always a mess.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------
> > On Sat, 3/7/15, Stephen Engel <sengel543@yahoo.com <javascript:;>>
> wrote:
> >
> > Subject: Re: PREPING FOR PAINT JOB ON 87 WESTY
> > To: "Eric Caron" <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET <javascript:;>>
> > Cc: "vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>" <
> vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>>
> > Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015, 12:59 PM
> >
> > Hi Eric,
> >
> > I replaced all the exterior
> > bolts/screws on my 87 hardtop with Frank Condelli's set.
> > His website, www.frankcondelli.com , shows that his pop top
> > set is currently out of stock.
> >
> > A quick search showed that GoWesty has
> > stainless replacements as well, but they suggest trimming
> > 5mm of thread off their bolts. What?
> >
> > Other vendors, bus depot, van-cafe, bus-boys,
> > Rocky Mountain, etc may offer sets as well. Let me know if I
> > can help further, my pizza's ready right now.
> >
> > Steve
> > 87
> > Syncro GL
> >
> > Sent from my
> > iPhone
> >
> > On Mar 7, 2015, at 11:37
> > AM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET <javascript:;>>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Hi folks,
> >>
> >>         Does
> > anyone have a source for a replacement kit for stainless
> > steel pop top hardware?  I’d love to do this one  piece
> > at a time.  I think this is another improvement I have the
> > skill level for.  and, a quick check shows my original
> > bolts seem happy to turn and come loose.
> >>
> >> tips on a complete
> > source pop top and other exterior stainless screws and bolts
> > is greatly appreciated.
> >>
> >> Sending me to the hard ware store with
> > samples would be a disaster!
> >>
> >> Eric Caron
> >> 85 gL
> > Auto Westfalia currently waiting for spring
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Mar 7, 2015, at 10:44 AM, Harold
> > Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM <javascript:;>>
> > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> > Mike,
> >>>
> >>> I
> > ran into the same problem removing some of my bolts when
> > replacing them
> >>> with stainless steel
> > ones when I removed the luggage top to replace the
> >>> footman loops.  After trying to
> > loosen them over many days by using
> >>>
> > penetrating oils, I finally used a Dremel tool and a cutting
> > disk.  First,
> >>> I cut a deeper slot
> > for the screwdriver.  When using my big screwdriver,
> >>> part of the screw head broke off so I
> > carefully used the Dremel to cut the
> >>> rest of the head off.
> >>>
> >>> Hopefully,
> > others may have a better solution because this one takes
> > time
> >>> and patience.
> >>>
> >>> Harold
> >>>
> >>> Harold
> > Teer
> >>> 1991 Westy -- VANGAUX
> >>> Harrisonburg, VA
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Sat, Mar 7, 2015 at 9:58 AM,
> > Michael <mikewelldon@icloud.com <javascript:;>>
> > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> The bolts I'm referring to are
> > the ones on the actual fiberglass top that
> >>>> take a flathead screwdriver to get
> > out.
> >>>>
> >>>> Currently, they are in there so
> > tightly that all a screwdriver is doing is
> >>>> stripping the head.
> >>>>
> >>>> I
> > don't have a torch and was wary of using one on the
> > top.
> >>>>
> >>>> Mike
> >>>>
> >
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >
>