Sean and list:  It's fixable with a good grade(Guegeon Bros. etc.) marine
epoxy and some kevlar and glass cloth.  I'd drill a 3.16" hole in the crack
where it ends for stress relief so it doesn't spread further.  The repair is
very similar to repairing a fiberglass whitewater kayak.  For a book on this
repair technique(and more info on laminate systems than you'll ever need)
there is a $8 Whitewater boat builders manual available from Menasha  Ridge
Press or by calling John Sweet at 540-468-2222.  He also sells the resin and
cloth  for the repair and can guide you to what's needed. m If you're
anywhere near central AR, I'll fix it for you, otherwise, I'd do as outlined
in the book.  Good luck and gettingf the color back is accomplished by
mixing resin colorants to get your shade of beige or whatever./

Max Wellhouse aka Bullwinkle J. Moose,  graduate of Wattsamatta U.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sean O'Neil <soneil@NS.SYMPATICO.CA>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 8:49 AM
Subject: poptop crack in my westy - need advice

>I have a 2.5-3" crack in my poptop (formost corner of the top , just
>behind the drivers seat, on the flat portion of the top) I suspect tree
>limb damage during one of our frequent high wind storms. I dont know how
>long it's been there because from the inside it is hidden by the canvas
>when the top is down. I only opened the top yesterday for the first time
>in six months.
>
>I can see daylight through the crack but no pieces were knocked out and
>the canvas shows no signs of being wet (no mildew, staining, etc).
>
>So, how would fellow poptoppers go about repairing such a crack and once
>repaired is there anyway to cosmetically repair the beige flocking on
>the inside of the top?
>
>TIA
>