Vinyl inserts for aluminum riveted strips in 73 Safari

[Lexxy]

I need 1 1/8" vinyl to replace the strips that crumbled when I removed the rivets in the aluminum strips in the bath. There are so many available but they are not wide enough. Is there some place I can get flexible vinyl to cut. I tried vinyl siding but it didn't slide well. I tried vinyl tape but it eventually peeled off. I saw some for $1 a foot but that's a bit expensive.
Does anyone have any ideas?


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Nuvite-F]

Is this the stuff you're looking for?

Vinyl Bath Insert

[HiHoAgRV]

I have a question...

How do you get that dang stuff into the slot? If you bend it very far it stresses and turns white. At the end of the cut, how do you work in the very last end?

[Lexxy]

I thought I had checked vintage but wouldn't you know it would be there. I will check with them and make sure it will fit. Thanks.
I want to know about that installation also. I thought I'd lubricate it and slide it in.

[bigjohnn]

I bought for my bath it was hard as a rock could not install it .It would brake up

[Lexxy]

Perhaps a heat gun would soften it to make it pliable.

[DryFly]

I used strips of Formica from my dining table. Worked great, looks good, not original.

[Lexxy]

The Formica.....did you just slide it in .....doesn't bend does it?

[idroba]

Cut thin strips of Formica. But the best replacement (non original) is to take vertical venetian blind slats (go to a window covering store for a huge selection) and cut them down to the right size. Squeeze them slightly to bow them in the center and they will slip right into the Aluminum track. The thing that is so nice about the venetian blind slats is that there are a huge number of types and patterns available and you can really dress up the interior with a different choice than the white vinyl they had originally. Also, some trim like the light covers use very wide material, and the blind slats will work there too.

[Lexxy]

That's a terrific idea....I have a bunch of spares that came with my house. Gonna try it soon.

[msimon]

See also:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f38/...oom-50968.html

[Lexxy]

Irdroba you are brilliant. Those vinyl strips from vertical blinds are so easy to cut....and ends up being 1/4 the cost of the brittle stuff. Solved my problem
Thanks

[levan]

I had the same problem with my 73 Safari. I found some paint I liked at HD and noticed the vinyl strip door material as I was browsing. Bought both and experimented at home with cutting the strips, no problem, very flexible paint holds nicely, material has a slight texture so is shows similar to original.
Good Luck

[Lexxy]

What is vinyl strip door material?

[idroba]

For everyones information, I learned the cut down vertical venetian blind slat trick and idea from someone else's post here on the forums years ago. I don't know who that was but it does work very well. Thanks to them, whoever they were.

[levan]

The doors are made up of several strips of 3 to 4 inch material about 76 to 80 inches long. You can get just the strip replacements on line at Home Depot, I chose to purchase the full door. It comes in white, off white, i think some other colors. I chose white because I wanted to paint it yellowish to match what I currently have. It is the same latex paint I have on my kitchen walls. I painted it cut it the width and length I wanted and slid it into the track. When I could not slide it in I bent the width, dropped one edge into the track and let the other slide in. One piece kinked but I was able to straighten it out with a screwdriver and after a day you could't tell anything happened to it.