Repairing Autohomes pop-top

Post by **samk** » 20 Nov 2008, 23:50

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone here could give me a little advice about possibilities/cost implications etc of repairing pop-top.

I've just viewed a 1983 air cooled Autohomes pop-top (the hard sided-type). Price seems reasonable for condition but my main concern is the pop-top. It seems to have been slowly leaking and has water damage - particular bad point is the top right corner that feels damp to the touch. When I got up a step ladder and looked at the top I could see that the seal at the front has moved away(about half ann inch or so) from the main body and therefore water is getting in. The plywood has been damaged a little with a few little cracks etc.

I know the best option would be to replace the roof all together (not going to happen at the moment!) so any advice about options would be really appreciated!

Post by **mirams** » 21 Nov 2008, 10:30

I've got the same roof, all the autohomes ones seem to be falling apart!

I patched mine up by picking up another autohomes pop-top and looting it for parts, with a few new bits of wood and some silicon sealant! It is pretty much water tight now, but rotten as anything in the middle (the two little bolts that hold up the sides to the roof pull themselves out of the rotten wood). It needs replacing completely - but that will have to wait until funds permit.

A word of warning is don't go too far into the middle of the thing - it is made with an incredible jumble of different bits of wood and polystyrene and is not even symmetrical underneath.

Gary

Post by **jaylo264** » 22 Nov 2008, 12:07

we repaired our 1986 AH top-- when fairly dry -- by removing the inner ceiling trim , simply hardboard , treating the dry rot we found , then sticking on self-adhesive carpet instead ( ace , got it from hawke house marine for our boat as well ) , then simply and very successfully sealing the outside roof bits with Flashband from screwfix . We tend not to leave it on the level in pouring rain , park on a slope if poss , and we have a high carport at home . This has done us fine for 8 years !
When

we can afford it , will probably get one from Lance on here.
jaylo

Post by **samk** » 22 Nov 2008, 22:48

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice - really useful to know people have tackled the problems themselves.

Most of the roof looks ok and it seems that the water has only really infiltrated the edges. Taking this in mind I'll give it a go and try to make it watertight myself without making it look like total mess!

Sam

Post by **samk** » 23 Nov 2008, 17:38

The van is now mine so going to try and get started on the roof ASAP.

Jaylo, is the hardboard attached to something else then? If this can be removes it seems like the best option. The outer seal has warped away but I'm hoping I can make it watertight underneath and then re attach the original seal purely as a cosmetic thing. Thanks for the flashband tip.

Gary, thanks for the warning about the myriad of materials etc - I'll be cautious.

Don't have a garage so tricky part is going to be drying it out.