In preparation for enjoying my recently-acquired westy in our first camping
season, I started thinking of ways to improve the air circulation inside the
van while camped.  This past weekend I fabricated some bug screens for the
front driver and passenger windows and I thought I pass the tip on to the
list.  What I did was buy a roll of black fiberglass window screen, some
magnetic tape (a long flexible magnet with a sticky backing), and some black
duct tape.  Cut the screen to fit the outline of the window (front vent
also) on the inside of the van to just past the metal frame around the
window.  Lowe's sells a 10 foot roll of magnetic tape for about $3.50.  This
is enough for one window.  Place the magnetic tape all round the edges of
the screen at the point where it touches the flattest part of the metal
frame.  Take the screen off and use the duct tape to cover and fold over the
magnetic tape to the other side of the screen.  This keeps the magnetic tape
securely in place.  Try to do it where both sides of the tape end up
covering the other side when they are folded in half length ways.  Repeat
for the second window.  It looks nice, folds up easily, goes on and off in a
few seconds, doesn't interfere with opening/closing the window, and it will
keep the bugs out on those hot southern summer nights.  Total cost for both
windows was about $13 ($4 roll of screen, 2 $3.50 10 ft magnetic tape, $2
roll black duct tape - silver works, but black looks better IMO).  If you
can't find the magnetic tape at a local hardware store, try a craft shop.  A
magnet at each corner would work, but the magnetic tape all around the edges
closes provides a better bug seal.  One improvement would be to use
no-see-um netting if you can find it since the screen will keep the
mosquitoes out but not the extremely small bugs.  I plan on doing the same
thing for the sliding door next.

Steve

89 Westy