Sail panel vinyl Options

[J123young]

My 914 has painted sail panels and I would like to install the vinyl. Need some advice on where to purchase. I found it on a few websites but don't want some cheap stuff. Also anyone recommend a adhesive?

[Tom_T]

Don't assume Rob, a lot of folks just don't know the full reach of the great "Help/How To" threads on here.

J123 - if you're looking for the exact vinyl for strict originality/Concours - then get the Porsche kit. Otherwise, 914Rubber, Sierra Madre, Stoddard's, Auto Atlanta & a few others sell decent vinyl which is close, but not the exact "pepple" texture.

As Rob said - follow the cleaning, prep & application procedures religiously for the 3M Hi-Temp version of the adhesive to both surfaces, but there is also a Wurth adhesive also worth looking at.

It seems like recently there are more reports coming in of sail vinyl failures/peeling/bubbling/delaminating - so I think that there may be some issues with changed formulas for environmental reasons which could be making them less reliable.

I had a similar problem now in 2017, with delaminating/peeling/curling of INTERIOR vinyl using 3M Hi-Temp applied in 2014 using proper procedures on my `88 Westy - after just 3 years. I know my process & it still peeled, while it took the original factory application 20+ years to start peeling. So something is amiss! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I only add this warning - not to discourage you - but to say to say that even if you follow the procedures, then you may still have issues in a few years. Keeping the car covered or using one of Perry Kiehl's (member) top area umbrella covers will help keep direct sun heat off of the roll bar vinyl - possibly helping out some with longevity of the application.

PS - re: arne & Garland's comments above - the secret may be "years ago" before a possible formula change, since I have spots in my Westy where I used 77 & 90 maybe 10+ years ago & those have not yet failed. Eventually anything will dry out & come loose, like the factory stuff is doing after about 20 years on my Westy.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[ConeDodger]

Don't assume Rob, a lot of folks just don't know the full reach of the great "Help/How To" threads on here.

Tom, I didn't want to do the confrontational "don't you know about the search feature" thing. My personal feeling is that we go over this because people are new and that's ok. Besides, it helps to revisit things as things are culturally new. ie: no one would drill a fender now a days as there are so many better music options that don't require an antenna. Trouble is, most fenders are already drilled!

J123 - if you're looking for the exact vinyl for strict originality/Concours - then get the Porsche kit. Otherwise, 914Rubber, Sierra Madre, Stoddard's, Auto Atlanta & a few others sell decent vinyl which is close, but not the exact "pepple" texture.

As Rob said - follow the cleaning, prep & application procedures religiously for the 3M Hi-Temp version of the adhesive to both surfaces, but there is also a Wurth adhesive also worth looking at.

It seems like recently there are more reports coming in of sail vinyl failures/peeling/bubbling/delaminating - so I think that there may be some issues with changed formulas for environmental reasons which could be making them less reliable.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I think I've bought 3 sets of vinyl in the last 10 years and I keep getting failure. The recent is on the top of the roll bar. So, at least, I'll only do a partial replacement this time.


I had a similar problem now in 2017, with delaminating/peeling/curling of INTERIOR vinyl using 3M Hi-Temp applied in 2014 using proper procedures on my `88 Westy - after just 3 years. I know my process & it still peeled, while it took the original factory application 20+ years to start peeling. So something is amiss! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I only add this warning - not to discourage you - but to say to say that even if you follow the procedures, then you may still have issues in a few years. Keeping the car covered or using one of Perry Kiehl's (member) top area umbrella covers will help keep direct sun heat off of the roll bar vinyl - possibly helping out some with longevity of the application.

PS - re: arne & Garland's comments above - the secret may be "years ago" before a possible formula change, since I have spots in my Westy where I used 77 & 90 maybe 10+ years ago & those have not yet failed. Eventually anything will dry out & come loose, like the factory stuff is doing after about 20 years on my Westy.

Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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