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Going to fit Isotop in the cold this week

F

flymartin

VIP Member
Messages
118
Location
New Forest
Vehicle
T6.1 Beach camper 150
I was going to ask for advice on this, but found lots of posts covering the topic already, which is fabulous.

But this happens all the time and because the advice is already here and someone’s done everything before, I never seem to post.

So I thought I would.

Hairdryer, heater, plastic bank notes, YouTube videos, garage, patience, all poised at the ready. Will post again once I’ve given it a go!
 
flymartin said:
I was going to ask for advice on this, but found lots of posts covering the topic already, which is fabulous.

But this happens all the time and because the advice is already here and someone’s done everything before, I never seem to post.

So I thought I would.

Hairdryer, heater, plastic bank notes, YouTube videos, garage, patience, all poised at the ready. Will post again once I’ve given it a go!
Click to expand...
Switch on the heater at least a few hours before you plan to. May just help. All the best.
 
Good luck ! Makes a world of difference.

My Wife said a palette knife was really useful (though 6 years ago so possibly an altered design).
 
A trim removal tool kit is the better option for 'poking' any parts in.

www.ebay.co.uk

14 Piece Car Door Plastic Trim Panel Dash Installation Removal Pry Tool Kit Set | eBay

Blunt tip flat clip panel remover. 14 PCS CAR TRIM DOOR PANEL PLASTIC DASH REMOVAL MOLDING SET TOOL KIT. Fork tip flat clip panel remover. Easily and safely to remove radio panel, trim, molding, door panels, and dashboards.
www.ebay.co.uk

Halfords do it but £24

High ambient temperature is essential.
 
Credit card, heat and plastic bank notes will suffice for isotop ....kit above useful though for fitting seat covers
 
Thanks guys - I have a few makeshift tools for poking the parts in - hopefully one of them will work. I'm also hoping that I can get enough heat from a hairdryer and the parking heater!
 
Fitted mine in December 2019. It was freezing.
It's been fine ever since.
 
Perfectly doable as I did mine last January and it has held up fine. A worthy investment. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I've stuck all the velcro strip on and I am optimistic it's going to work despite the cold. The outside temperature was around 0C, so I had the heater on for a couple of hours beforehand and that took the chill off considerably.

One thing to note is that the stuff seems very sticky! I can't imagine getting it off if I wanted to, let alone it peeling off randomly. I felt that hairdryering it would be overkill.

From a 3M datasheet on their hook and loop fastener tape, I got this:
" This adhesive achieves approximately 50% of the ultimate bond strength within 20 minutes, 90% after 1 hour and the ultimate bond strength is obtained within 24 hours at 72°F (22°C) and 50% relative humidity."

I'm about to go and do the screwing into the roof - there are three big screw-on tabs at the front for the manual roof with big opening.
 
flymartin said:
Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I've stuck all the velcro strip on and I am optimistic it's going to work despite the cold. The outside temperature was around 0C, so I had the heater on for a couple of hours beforehand and that took the chill off considerably.

One thing to note is that the stuff seems very sticky! I can't imagine getting it off if I wanted to, let alone it peeling off randomly. I felt that hairdryering it would be overkill.

From a 3M datasheet on their hook and loop fastener tape, I got this:
" This adhesive achieves approximately 50% of the ultimate bond strength within 20 minutes, 90% after 1 hour and the ultimate bond strength is obtained within 24 hours at 72°F (22°C) and 50% relative humidity."

I'm about to go and do the screwing into the roof - there are three big screw-on tabs at the front for the manual roof with big opening.
Click to expand...
When I did a side door fly screen the same stick on system was used. A few areas weren't stuck down after a few days so applied the hot air gun (variable temp unlike a hair dryer) and those areas stuck down OK. Time didn't seem so critical as quoted.
I didn't have any problem with the roof but had used the air gun on that with about 12 degrees outside temp..
 
kurienp said:
did anyone advise on the thread on wearing gloves when fixing the tape? I got my fingers in a right mess :Nailbiting and struggled a few days to get the residue off.
Click to expand...
I decided to wear gloves when applying the adhesive primer because on the packet it had that health hazard symbol that sort of looks like a person being destroyed from the inside.. but for fixing the tape I found it didn't stick to my fingers - must be technique :)
 
Are these actually any good ? Any feedback from users on what difference it makes to the upstairs temp in the winter?? thanks.
I have the mosquito side door net which is good but I found fiddly to fit.
 
Rsocean said:
Are these actually any good ? Any feedback from users on what difference it makes to the upstairs temp in the winter?? thanks.
I have the mosquito side door net which is good but I found fiddly to fit.
Click to expand...
Yes, keeps it warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer. Fit & forget.
 
Rsocean said:
Are these actually any good ? Any feedback from users on what difference it makes to the upstairs temp in the winter?? thanks.
I have the mosquito side door net which is good but I found fiddly to fit.
Click to expand...
Having fitted both roof is different but easier.
Roof has summer benefit as well. Darker and muffles external noise slightly, noticeably.
 
Thank you. Interesting that you say it muffled noise slightly which can be an issue
 
Interesting stuff! My Isotop was installed by a VW specialist when I bought the Cali in 2008. The velcro system worked just fine until a couple of years ago, when the adhesive started to age badly, and came away from the frame in several places. I was thinking of getting the whole job started again, but bearing in mind how old the van was getting, I came up with the idea of sticking the velcro back on to the frame with double-sided adhesive carpet tape. It works just as well as any adhesive!
 
andrew bazeley said:
Interesting stuff! My Isotop was installed by a VW specialist when I bought the Cali in 2008. The velcro system worked just fine until a couple of years ago, when the adhesive started to age badly, and came away from the frame in several places. I was thinking of getting the whole job started again, but bearing in mind how old the van was getting, I came up with the idea of sticking the velcro back on to the frame with double-sided adhesive carpet tape. It works just as well as any adhesive!
Click to expand...
You can get a replacement fitting kit (from camper, van, tastic)

https://+++++++++++++++++++++++/pro...t6-t5-california/brandrup-isotop-fitting-kit/
 
Ok - I’ve got it in! Mostly. One important part not yet complete.

On the current Isotop for manual roof with big front opening, the rear top corners need to be tucked behind the corners of the roof lining. I am about to go out with my credit cards, plastic spatula from the kitchen, and anything small thin and bendy I can lay my hands on.

Does anyone have any tips for how to get the isotop corners to slide behind the roof lining?
 
flymartin said:
Ok - I’ve got it in! Mostly. One important part not yet complete.

On the current Isotop for manual roof with big front opening, the rear top corners need to be tucked behind the corners of the roof lining. I am about to go out with my credit cards, plastic spatula from the kitchen, and anything small thin and bendy I can lay my hands on.

Does anyone have any tips for how to get the isotop corners to slide behind the roof lining?
Click to expand...
I don't remember ever having a problem at the top rear, I thought it just slipped over easily.
 
andyinluton said:
I don't remember ever having a problem at the top rear, I thought it just slipped over easily.
Click to expand...
Thanks for rapid reply! On mine there isn’t a gap for the fabric to slip into, unless I slightly bend the roof lining away from the roof. I’ll need to wedge something in there to keep the gap open while I slide the fabric in..

Forgot to press Post Reply on the above and now have managed to get the corners in. My Wiltshire Leisure Card will never be the same again though :)

Thanks to everyone who has posted their Isotop experience across the forum - it’s actually been super easy because of all the experience I could draw on here.. warm night’s sleep here we come..
 
Ch1pbutty said:
You can get a replacement fitting kit (from camper, van, tastic)

Click to expand...
I didn’t take the advice in the instructions or here and fitted mine on cold day. The Velcro is now pulling away in the bottom corners at the front after only 6 months. I don’t need a whole replacement kit, just some appropriate adhesive. Do you or anyone have any ideas before I buy a whole replacement kit? Thank you in advance.
 
flymartin said:
I was going to ask for advice on this, but found lots of posts covering the topic already, which is fabulous.

But this happens all the time and because the advice is already here and someone’s done everything before, I never seem to post.

So I thought I would.

Hairdryer, heater, plastic bank notes, YouTube videos, garage, patience, all poised at the ready. Will post again once I’ve given it a go!
Click to expand...
Not-tonyadventures said:
I didn’t take the advice in the instructions or here and fitted mine on cold day. The Velcro is now pulling away in the bottom corners at the front after only 6 months. I don’t need a whole replacement kit, just some appropriate adhesive. Do you or anyone have any ideas before I buy a whole replacement kit? Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
I fitted mine last week, it is actually fairly straight forward (2016 Ocean - Electric roof). My kit did not have the forward velcro straps that pass the top air vents, but apparently they do not come with all models. I used the £20 note and it does work. Make sure the 2 outer tabs are right in the corner, this will help holding the canvas up in the front corners - did not use hairdryer or heater
 
Last edited:
Not-tonyadventures said:
I didn’t take the advice in the instructions or here and fitted mine on cold day. The Velcro is now pulling away in the bottom corners at the front after only 6 months. I don’t need a whole replacement kit, just some appropriate adhesive. Do you or anyone have any ideas before I buy a whole replacement kit? Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
outside temp was 17C when I fitted last week, much hotter inside and up top!
 
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