Not a Noobie anymore! A few questions though.

[raker]

Hey guys,

I read the Wiki and the other relevant threads and decided to go for a van!!!!

It's an '85 Devon Conversion with a high top on 79,000 miles. It's in good shape for it's age in my opinion, and doesn't seem to be suffering from some of the common ailments which I'm pleased about. Came with a Fiamma Rack, awning and a cool-box [plus fridge etc] and a porta-potty! It also had a new engine around 7 thou ago which is receipted and seems to pull as well as expected and a horrendous bull-bar on the front [!] - that's coming off if anyone fancies it!?! Pretty chuffed all-in-all though!!!

It does have some scruffy areas that will need attention - noticeably around the corners where the high-top meets the edge of the gutter rail? in the front and rear? How is this normally fixed? It's got cracked filler by the looks of it?

My other question is the head-lining - it's in good order, but when I touched it yesterday, loads of fine fibres fell out? Would this be the adhesive or the actual material? Don't fancy my little boy breathing this in you know? Not really wanting to go down the replacement route as it's okay

Thanks in advance guys!

Simon.

[raker]

Any takers?!

[fullsunian]

Hi there and welcome Can't really help you with the high top, but the head lining sounds like the same as my Devon...The material is breaking down and the only way to stop the fibres dropping on your head is to retrim it with new carpet lining. Try 'Woolies' at Market Deeping, got stuff there that should match the rest of the van

[pocolow]

My high top that I've just fitted has a similar problem on the corners . Best thing to do is scrape out the old filler then redo with proper Automobile body filler which is more flexible than standard filler. Then sand down prime and paint. The corners appears to be under more stress than the rest of the roof and so the top gel coat can craze and crack with age. Also check where the the high top fixes to the roof that any sealer is in good nick as that might need redoing as well. Don't worry to much as long as its not leaking it's more cosmetic than structural.

[raker]

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for the welcome too!

Have checked that site out and looks like I'd get a good match. Tidy. When you did yours, how big a job was it to strip the old carpet off? Is it fixed with adhesive? Looks awkward to get the join between the cab liner and the high top section?

Oh cool - just go at it then with some elbow grease and see what lies underneath I guess. Then repair as best I can or maybe get it booked into a shop to get done? There's a few other areas to attend to which I'm not comfortable doing tbh.

[fullsunian]

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for the welcome too!

Have checked that site out and looks like I'd get a good match. Tidy. When you did yours, how big a job was it to strip the old carpet off? Is it fixed with adhesive? Looks awkward to get the join between the cab liner and the high top section?

Oh cool - just go at it then with some elbow grease and see what lies underneath I guess. Then repair as best I can or maybe get it booked into a shop to get done? There's a few other areas to attend to which I'm not comfortable doing tbh.

Ya its all glued on and abit of a pain to get off, but you don't need to remove all the old glue just most of it. Mine is a pop top so will be different to yours. The carpet lining is easy to work with especially if you use their spray adhesive too....

[raker]

I had a quick look around the roof area just now and basically it looks like a set of boards attched to the metalwork via screws? Is this about right? Then it's a case of taking them down and stripping off the material and glue and re-fixing?

[jamesc76]

Where abouts are you fill ya profile in and some one local to you might be able to have a look for you ??

[raker]

Thanks James,

Have done now!! Also, had a look today at the job in hand. Stripped out the entire upper sections which were in good order - fair bit more work involved than I thought, but you all know the score - once you've gone past the point of no return . . . . .

Nice to get a chance to see the high top conversion actually - also revealed some nasty surface rust behind the gutters where it looks like the oval windows in the top have leaked - would have helped if the break in the window seal was at the top rather than the bottom of the apperture, but there we go! I'll sand it all out tidy and spray some inhibitor in there to sort that out.

Then I need my headlining - which, it turns out, ain't cheap!!! Anyone else put anything long-lasting back in? Loathe to put cord carpet back as it seems to perish quite quickly?

Adhesive too people - what have ya'll used to good effect?

Cheers!!

[raker]

Found this link - anybody used this guy? Seems reasonable and the product looks good - just haven't got dark brown for my wip!!!

http://www.megavanmats.com/

[Rozzo]

hi m8
good luck with it.
the carpet in there has probs lasted neck-end of thirty years so i'd go with that again