Waterproofing the pop top

[JohnCalifornia]

Well my Aquatex arrived yesterday so after the rain etc today the forecast was nice from 6 on so I put the Aquatex on. . I wiped the bellows with a damp cloth, let them dry then sprayed the bellows with the stuff. I was expecting a larger spread when you spray it on but it comes out quite fast and runs down the bellows . I used the full tin on the outside and it dried nicely in the sun and there are no marks on the bellows at all once dry. I’ve now packed my rainbow screens pop top cover in the van just in case I run into serious right angle rain again.

 

[Up10]

Well my Aquatex arrived yesterday so after the rain etc today the forecast was nice from 6 on so I put the Aquatex on. . I wiped the bellows with a damp cloth, let them dry then sprayed the bellows with the stuff. I was expecting a larger spread when you spray it on but it comes out quite fast and runs down the bellows . I used the full tin on the outside and it dried nicely in the sun and there are no marks on the bellows at all once dry. I’ve now packed my rainbow screens pop top cover in the van just in case I run into serious right angle rain again.

Always useful to have the insulated wrap for cold, windy or wet forecasts. We find it gives a bit of support to the bellows in wind and makes it to feel just a bit more cosy.
Yes, the spray is a disappointing jet or squirt. It would be great if it was a fine spray but we can't have everything!

 

[SusiBus]

Has anyone used any another waterproof products, e.g. Nikwax, Fabsil, Aqua Tech ( as opposed to Aquatex)? They all seem to be highly rated.

 

[stoobthealien]

I've used Fabsil gold on my Golf softtop and intend to do the Cali when I get time - what's good is that it can be bought as a liquid so painted on and therefore more accurate / less overspray

 

[SusiBus]

Thats a good point about being able to bush on, hence being able to control what is coated.

 

[Jenny H]

Do we really need to do this? I have a 2021 so old style bellows which have never leaked but I’ve never waterproofed either?

 

[ejmoore]

Do we really need to do this? I have a 2021 so old style bellows which have never leaked but I’ve never waterproofed either?

We've had two Calis, since 2012, a T5 & a T6, camping in all weathers, have never had this leaking problem or felt a need to waterproof the canvas. If the weather's really windy we'd use a cover, but that's mainly so we can open the side windows in the roof at night without wind/rain coming in sideways.

 

[Up10]

Do we really need to do this? I have a 2021 so old style bellows which have never leaked but I’ve never waterproofed either?

We've had two Calis, since 2012, a T5 & a T6, camping in all weathers, have never had this leaking problem or felt a need to waterproof the canvas. If the weather's really windy we'd use a cover, but that's mainly so we can open the side windows in the roof at night without wind/rain coming in sideways.

There are waterproof bellows and those that aren't. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. So those of us who aren't quite so lucky and grown severely frustrated with the lack of resolution by VW, have to look for alternative solutions.
If you dont need to waterproof, then ignore this thread and please refrain from telling us just how good your bellows are in the rain. Some of us have webbed toes and are green with envy!

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Has anyone used any another waterproof products, e.g. Nikwax, Fabsil, Aqua Tech ( as opposed to Aquatex)? They all seem to be highly rated.

Fabsil was great for us. The giant can available on Amazon.

 

[erik.godderis]

We are in Ireland for the moment with a 3 jears old California and we had some serious waterproof problems. Water is coming in there where it is stitched. Like tiny holes. What to do about that? Can that be solved?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

We are in Ireland for the moment with a 3 jears old California and we had some serious waterproof problems. Water is coming in there where it is stitched. Like tiny holes. What to do about that? Can that be solved?

Certainly worth a try with Fabsil. Spray the seems. Leave ten minutes spray again and leave to dry before putting the roof down.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

Do we really need to do this? I have a 2021 so old style bellows which have never leaked but I’ve never waterproofed either?

I must stress that mine only leaked in serious rain with verystrong winds. They didn’t start leaking for at least 15mins so it’s not as if they leak at the first sight of rain. In hindsight I should really have put the roof down in those conditions and from now on I will or use my pop top wrap that is now in my Cali rather than sat in the garage……..
On my last trip to the lakes I firmly believe the rain I endured would have eventually gone through any bellows on any campervan…….

 

[Jenny H]

There are waterproof bellows and those that aren't. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. So those of us who aren't quite so lucky and grown severely frustrated with the lack of resolution by VW, have to look for alternative solutions.
If you dont need to waterproof, then ignore this thread and please refrain from telling us just how good your bellows are in the rain. Some of us have webbed toes and are green with envy!

Hi there, I wasnt coming from that angle so sorry it was construed that way, I was merely asking if I needed to do this procedure as I havent & so was pondering whether I should thats all. Sorry you have had issue

 

[Scumbrian]

I used Fabsil Gold on ours. A 1 litre pack is enough to cover the entire bellows and a second coat on the seams/ stitched areas. I used a 2" brush to apply it.

Only slight negative is a chemical odour when you first pop the roof up. This vanishes within a few minutes.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

Hi there, I wasnt coming from that angle so sorry it was construed that way, I was merely asking if I needed to do this procedure as I havent & so was pondering whether I should thats all. Sorry you have had issue

I’ve had my Cali now for 3years and it’s the fist time I’ve waterproofed them. If you take a common sense approach to wind and rain you should be ok doing nothing but maybe on the safe side and for the sake of £12 for the van and half an hours work it’s worth doing

 

[WelshGas]

Hi there, I wasnt coming from that angle so sorry it was construed that way, I was merely asking if I needed to do this procedure as I havent & so was pondering whether I should thats all. Sorry you have had issue

No, you don't have to do it. In fact VW advise against it. Also VW Do Not state that the Bellows are " Waterproof " but in fact Water Resistant in normal conditions. Heavy rain and wind combined can produce water ingress eventually.
The fact that there are a number of manufacturers of covers for the Pop Top of any sort should be a clue to this fact.
Water proofing seams etc with Aquatec or Fabsil or equivalent will help but it all depends on the weather conditions , amount of rain and wind direction.

 

[Up10]

Hi there, I wasnt coming from that angle so sorry it was construed that way, I was merely asking if I needed to do this procedure as I havent & so was pondering whether I should thats all. Sorry you have had issue

My error, I was trying to be an envious green monster. However, I realise it doesn't come over well in writing. I'm just jealous of all those lucky people with good bellows. Stay dry.

 

[The Fockers]

Has anyone used any another waterproof products, e.g. Nikwax, Fabsil, Aqua Tech ( as opposed to Aquatex)? They all seem to be highly rated.

I've used Fabsil on tents for years with very good results. The water beads up and rolls off. I did do my poptop but it hasn't been tested by rain yet but I expect a similarly good result.

 

[Skelly]

I used Fabsil Gold on our 2015 T5 Cali after a very heavy rain storm caused some leakage. Applied with large brush and used a sponge to smooth out any variation. Worked a treat. It darkens the canvas initially until it dries to a paler colour.