I own a 74L bug. Has anybody had any experience replacing the roof lining in one of these. I'am looking into it and was wondering if its better to get a kit, and drop it off to a profesional, or can I do it at home?
I relined my Beetle's roof with a West Coast Metric kit in the mid 80s, so I can tell you a few stories.
Firstly, Aussie Beetles are slightly different from US (German-made) Beetles, because they were made in Melbourne instead of Wolfsburg. The US Beetles went to the white vinyl roof lining with small black dots a few years earlier than we did, so your US kit won't be QUITE the same as your old Aussie roof lining. In addition, there are detail changes like the way the lining wraps around the rear window stampings, and whether it covers the metal clamp stripping at the front corners. So if you're buying a US roof kit, specify one that's a few years OLDER than your model VW.
I bought soft acoustic foam insulation to line my roof and walls, and it was fine for many years. But after a while it breaks down into fine black powder that sprinkles down through the holes in the vinyl. Don't do it - use stock cotton wad-style insulation.
Installing the kits is a bastard if you've never done one before. You MUST take the windows out - there's just no other way. Start at the back and work forward. Use an electric heater to soften the kit as you install it, so its easier to stretch it.
But no matter how careful you are, you will find that you make some mistakes when you install the kit. Sure it will look OK, but after a year or two you will be unhappy with it. You will think 'hmm, next time if I do THIS, and THAT, it will turn out better...'
So to make yourself happy, and get it done properly the FIRST time, sure go buy a WCM kit, but take your car to a motor trimmer to be installed properly. It's cheap insurance for the long run.
