Penthouse resurrection - Page 3

Flux · 10-17-2018, 02:35 PM

That's a real nice looking repair. And hey, every DIY homebuild comes with a surprise or two. Mine happened as I was driving home my new to me $20k van from AZ to CA and realizing there were 200 screws holding down the cargo tracks to the floor of the van and every one of those holes needed to be welded shut. The next one was not covering the windows when we welded and grinded those holes and realizing that I had sandblasted and pitted the windows in the van. Every DIY builder get's hammered by something somewhere. We persevere.

I would check with any local upholstry or anyone who works with canvas like sail makers etc to see if they could copy the pattern from what is left of the canvas. Even just general dimensions is a great place to start. Really, the windows are the most complicated thing on them.

Pntyrmvr · 10-18-2018, 11:01 AM

And the windows don’t need to be the exact shape size or location of the originals.

Imagine big, swooping radius corners where the zippers don’t jamb or break over time. Or screens that can be zipped out to let the trapped insects out.

Oh the possibilities of not repeating the factory’s corner cutting, bean counting ways!

arctictraveller · 10-18-2018, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pntyrmvr

Imagine big, swooping radius corners where the zippers don’t jamb or break over time. Or screens that can be zipped out to let the trapped insects out.

Another option. My GTRV has one fixed clear plastic window in the front with a shade cover sewn on at the bottom and held on by velcro all around. The plastic is sewn in all the way around, and at the bottom, it overlaps the canvas on the outside so water can't leak in at the bottom. The side openings have insect screens sewn to the canvas and they have canvas closures again held in place by velcro. This arrangement allows easy adjustment of much light and / or breeze gets in.

Orv · 10-18-2018, 08:52 PM

That's a really good looking repair. I wouldn't have thought a broken corner like that could be repaired that seamlessly.

marret · 10-20-2018, 10:12 AM

Very nice looking repair on the top. Sounds like you have a way forward if you want to spend the time to fix it and make it work.

The whole situation is bad and I'm also sorry to see this within the forum.

michal740 · 10-20-2018, 07:43 PM

Lot of good ideas! I think my windows will be something similar in shape as Pntyrmvr was suggesting. Big swooping half moon shape,similar to what CCV is making.
I am going to talk to people from a convertible repair shop on Wednesday and pick up material of my choice and see what we can come up with in terms of window and shape design.
I got the top ready to wetsand and coat with bedliner tomorrow. I cut opening for my fan and reinforced the opening with 2 inch wide frame made of plywood that is laminated and screwed down to the wood already in the fiberglass shell.
Thanks again to all of you guys for your ideas and coments!

michal740 · 10-21-2018, 08:19 PM

Finally finished the top repair and paint. I need to figure out how to punch holes in new gasket for the plastic pins.

new2tx · 10-21-2018, 08:35 PM

I used a regular paper punch for mine. Holes were just the right size.

michal740 · 10-21-2018, 08:39 PM

That's a good idea! I think I have one around.

86Scotty · 10-22-2018, 06:44 AM

I inherited one of these with my Dad's tools. Perfect for this job and many others. I had never seen one before his.

https://www.zoro.com/performance-too...36/i/G6253549/