Finally the weather around here has warmed up and looks stable enough to pull the pop top out of the garage and get around to painting it. I power washed it last fall, and did a bit of scuff sanding. I have this notion to insulate the ceiling with some 3/8″ closed cell polyethylene foam so I set about taking the fuzz off the ceiling. I used an orbital sander, which worked well. Then I thought I’d try some paint stripper (had a little bit hanging around), and that worked really well. I’m not concerned about getting all of the tan paint off the ceiling, just the fuzz and around the edges.
Then I used some thickened epoxy to fill some holes I had in the top. While the epoxy was curing I put a coat of paint on the luggage rack.
It’s not a great job and it does need a second coat, but it sure looks much better than it did on the old ’82 westy. Tomorrow I’ll get another coat on it and do the pop top.
shooftie 
#1 by Old Fussbudget on June 4, 2011 - 7:11 pm
Sure looks great from here. You must be a dab hand with a brush.
#2 by albell on June 4, 2011 - 7:14 pm
looks good from 3000 miles eh David?
🙂
the inside curves are tough, those parts really do need a second coat
alistair
#3 by Jim on June 4, 2011 - 8:11 pm
Looks good from 300 miles as well. Gloss or semi-gloss?
#4 by albell on June 4, 2011 - 9:22 pm
gloss. I really didn’t spend anytime thinking about the paint… just picked a good topside marine paint from local chandlery. I do wonder if the white will be too white, if you know what I mean.
alistair
#5 by Scott Greiner on June 4, 2011 - 11:42 pm
I like it, you should get someone to take a picture of you working on it so we can put a face with the project. Thank you for sharing. I just got done with my first home made awning setup on my 1982 Diesel Westy. How as I look at it; 10’x15′ I would like it much bigger, like 20 x 40′. I’m thinking if I set up a big enough awning we could just drive under it and drive out if we need to leave with the Vanagon for somewhere and not break it down. Anyway I would like to do a repaint on our tops like you are so again thanks for sharing.
SOG
#6 by albell on June 5, 2011 - 7:36 am
Hi Scott,
if you search through the blog you might find a pic of my ugly mug 🙂
Before I bought the Shadyboy awning I had a nylon tarp and poles arrangement. Used it on many a trip in my old ’82 westy. It was not free standing though. Let me see if I can link or insert the pic here in the comments. The pic is taken at Little Big Bar Lake, 2005. What an untidy bunch we are.
#7 by Scott Greiner on June 4, 2011 - 11:43 pm
I hope it went though to u.