Bought a new canvas for my Westy T25 from GoWesty in California - had to get a synthetic one because Jane's astham is triggered by mildew and the standard cotton ones seem to be very prone.
GoWesty advise that the job takes two days and you will have to remove the poptop, requiring at least five people to help.
This is not true.
On Staturday afternoon I had become frustrated with the moudly and torn canvas as well as the logistical impossibility of getting five mates together at my house in the middle of summer for two afternoons - lify off and lift on. So I thought frell it I'm going to do it myself.
It too six hours and was completed with only the assistance of plenty of lollipops from Ben & Joe.
If you are thinking of doing this to your Westy here are some hints and how I did it.
1. Mark all of the aluminium retaining strips with their location on the roof and those the poptop.
2. Mark the old canvas where the screws penetrate the edge strip of the canvas.
3. Remove the bottom strips. I took out the screws from the ends in alternating to maintain the tension - I had the top up all the way through removal and installation.
4. Once the bottom ones have been removed you can then sit on the luggage rack and undo the front bar on the fibreglass top.
5. Then lie on the bed and lift up the canvas to reach the bar at the back and undo the screws. I then alternated, back to front to remove the side strips.
6. I then placed the strips in the garage with all of the screws - note - the screws for the top are larger than those for the roof.
7. remove the nuts and spring washers from the lifting frame, raise the canvas up one side of the frame. Lift the top off the frame - there are two bolts which need to be lifted clear. Then pass the canvas over the leg.
Repeat this over the second leg and the canvas is now free.
8. I then married up the old and new canvas marking the place where the screws needed to pass through the edge strip of the new canvas. I then made a small pilot hole in the edge strip.
9. I put the canvas back over each frame leg and then reaffixed the nuts and spring washers.
10. I then fastened the front aluminium strip tot hte canvas by passing the screws through the holes in the aluminium and the canvas ans then fixed the aluminium and canvas with the centre and end screw only.
11. I repeated the process for the back aluminium strip.
12. Then I fixed each side strip ends and middle. Once happy with the hang of the canvas I fixed the other screws.
13. The I replaced the aluminium strips for the van roof. BE VERY CAREFUL AS THEY ARE A VERY TIGHT FIT AND YOU COULD TEAR THE CANVAS>
14. I replaced the ends first - again centre scew and the corner and ends.
15. Then I installed the side strips, again ends and centres first.
16. At this point check that the canvas is hanging to your satisfaction.
17. If it is then install all of the rest of the screws. The roof screws can be accessed from inside the van. Those on the poptop will needa set of steps.
I found the process to be a bit fiddley when getting the spacing and tension right for the bottom set of strips, but am very happy with the results.
I have some pictures of the operation on the website for our bus at the hyperlink below. Tomorrow the dreaded MOT - everything is crossed.
Hope this is of use to someone - don't be afraid you can do it!
http://www.georgethebus.co.uk/index.php ... &Itemid=37
