Refurb

Well, my refurbishment of my new to me van is proceeding. Replaced both MPK roof-lights with Mini-Heki's, Fitted a Gas-it refillable system, and I have taken the shower out and all that horrible plastic that was the bathroom. Now I have a toilet cubicle. When I took the shower tray out, I expected a horror story, but there was just a tiny bit of rot on the floor panel near the drain, PHEW big sigh of relief, and after much reading how, I wallpapered the loo room. If that is a success, I will be wallpapering the rest of the van as well. Have had the van serviced, and the mechanic said that it is in good nick for its age, so I am now a bit more confident with it. In time I will be re-upholstering all the cushions and have a very good friend who has done it before, but I may well ask for advice right here on Motor-Homers. Hoping one day to be able to afford solar power! that is it for now, is it spring yet?
  the sign that I follow 

Hope ot all goes according to plan for you, how about some pictures.
Cal

I can do many things, but remember to take pictures........oops
  A sign for me to follow 

Ha ha, I'm the same, i think oh I'll take photos of how to do this job,  take one at the beginning then forget to take anymore

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

have a look at some of my work I have done last year!

Just had a look on your link, sharp intake of breath I hear somewhere from some one who thinks that we are not allowed to make changes to our vans. Some right nice work going on there says me, but you must have been lying about a bit judging by the underneath bits, wonder if I could do some thing like that underneath my van, looks real tidy.
  still following the sign 

My goodness, the power of a pot noodle when all else fails. Pictures are now being uploaded!

So the latest bits:-[img][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]f58/18/70/96/87/1210.jpg[/img][/url]

Tech support food/

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.][img][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]0/96/87/sdc11336.jpg[/img][/url]

When I took the trims off this last part, there were 258 staples holding them on, yes, I counted them, couldn't believe there were so many!

Looking good, keep em coming!   

Hia

Good job and love the wallpaper

Hia

Yes more pictures please

Pink Flamingoes - superb!  Never thought about wallpapering a toilet, bet it was fiddly.  Do keep the photo's coming as its all very interesting.

I once read an article somewhere about a lady that decked out her caravan walls and furnishings with Kath Kidston fabrics and paper, makes a very unique and nice home from home.  

Today's task, due to work proceeding quickly, was to remove both bench seats, and start  on the DRY ROT. Rusty screws made the job harder, but eventually removed most fittings. Discovered that the floor had been repaired before, what a shame they didn't pay too much attention to resealing the outer trims!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Not all the black is rotten, but all the rot must come out, and wood preserver will be applied liberally. I will also be removing the water heater, and selling that, as I don't need it. I will also be installing a small water tank under the nearside seat, and removing the under-slung tank, rerouting the water pipes and gas pipe. At the moment the pipes go for a tour round the van before arriving at their destination.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I wonder if anyone can enlighten me as to the purpose of those rectangular metal pieces, the horizontal pieces are angle iron, and the uprights are flat bar. They can't be floor strengtheners as they would have been longer and the chassis goes all the way to the back. There is nothing underneath attached to them

Think I may have to invest in an oscillating saw, then I can cutback to the good wood and leave nice straight edges, to put new wood in. Another question, which is the best sealant to use for the exterior trims, I tend to favor the non setting type so that it can move with the body when traveling, all helpful knowledge greatly appreciated.

Hi Debbie, keeping a keen interest in your refurb and so far your doing a great job and I know you capable of it.

Now how much did you pay for your mini Hekis as I can get 40x40 crystal ones here in Elche for €69 and €79 c/w night blind is this a good price ??

We have 4off Chenille brown seat covers going beggingn to someone that can use them, foc

Cor..you've got yer work cut out there, I notice the floor is damp hopefully it doesn't go up through the walls as that can be a lot more trouble. As for the metal work I dont know unless its supporting something on the outside for strength etc...

this is not that bad I worked at caravan repair shop for a sort while  part time when I retired there are a lot of vans out there with a lot more damp than  that, they use most of the sikaflex range there repairing the timber section is not that hard .most in portant is make shaw I is dry and clean before you stick it all together again ,but I bet you no that get all those out side trims off clean and re seal .and remender there are some fantastic wood hardeners out there now which I have used in lots of old listed buildings in timber

Absolutely nothing attached to those metal bits, but there are some light marks on the flat bar that might suggest that something was attached to them, probably when new. Bob I paid just over eighty quid for the Heki's so that price you got is brilliant

You won't believe this Mike, I very carefully inspected the trims, and it appeared that they had been resealed. no no no! some sherbert had just run some silicone along the edges, to make it look as if it had been done. Methinks a previous owner has been ripped off a bit!

most people think if you run sealant round the tims this will work wrong they have be taken off sealant tape and sikaflex re screw in to good timber clean of any that ouses out with solvent cleaner fit sealing rubbers over screws if it that construction
you will crack

Will go back tomorrow and get one, thanks Deb

Hia

I don't want to sound rude or anything but can I ask is it you doing all this work?

Please please do not take offence maybe agate but not a fence sorry old habit

As I said please don't shout at me for asking

No problem Polly, and yes it is me doing all the work, if I took it to a coach-builders to get the work done, I would probably fall over at the price, and never get up again! It is sad that coach built motor-homes and caravans, will all leak in time, and left unattended, will cause an awful lot of damage, it is so important to reseal them every so often. The good thing is, that it's not that difficult to do these jobs!

Hia

I have insulated under the bench seats but that is all 

But good work
And by doing it yourself you know the job still be a good one

Today I went to Aldi on the off chance that they might have a oscillating saw/multi tool, £29.99

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

My walls are bonded sandwich construction, and this tool made life an awful lot easier.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Temporary patch's to keep rain out. When I took screws out of water heater, it came straight out, so the seal was non existent!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

No stoping ya now with them tools

Well done how refreshing to find a woman so gifted chapeau Madame

debbielectric wrote:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]0/96/87/sdc11336.jpg" />

Is that your reluctant cat I see between the two front seats?

Well no work was committed yesterday due to being on volunteer driving duties, so had a pleasant day in Kendal. Yes c, that's my little poose.
Back to work and today I found a little bit of Portugal behind the wheel arch



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Finished clearing out the rot, not as much as I expected, and the floor is drying nicely. Next I will have to remove the screws from the outside and start shaping the new wood to go in.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The lower part of the back wall is not attached to anything, if I put a screwdriver in the gap I can flex the back wall with ease, needless to say it will be attached before too long!
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

As soon as the floor is dry enough, it will be getting a liberal dousing in Cuprinol 5 star wood treatment, the other corner was just wet, I think that had been treated previously thankfully.

I left the old vinyl down as it was stuck down with double sided sticky tape and what a sticky mess, tried using a scraper to get it off with no luck.....any idea's anyone?

Now you've gutted the rear end is there any way you could increase the storage capacity at all ?

debbielectric wrote:

I left the old vinyl down as it was stuck down with double sided sticky tape and what a sticky mess, tried using a scraper to get it off with no luck.....any idea's anyone?

something like this Debbie [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

debbielectric wrote:

I left the old vinyl down as it was stuck down with double sided sticky tape and what a sticky mess, tried using a scraper to get it off with no luck.....any idea's anyone?

solvent cleaner plenty air windows  open first

Today started with a little rain, then the sun came out and its been a good day to get some more work done! I've finished digging out, I've put preserver down and started rebuilding.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I've used sealant /adhesive from Olearys, and I ordered a 150watt inverter from them. They phoned me up and apologized for not having it in stock , and asked if I would accept a 300watt inverter, NO extra charge, so I accepted. Now that is what I call service!

It's looking good Debbie.  


What year and make is your motorhome?

It's a Compass Navigator, and on a V plate, late 99, with bits of Victorian thrown in!

Is it a vw van Debbie?

Coachbuilt Mark, Debbie has put a photo of it in the gallery
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Yes its on a vw transporter van ken   

We'll not argue this, its a chassis cab with a coach built body on it, a van has sides  

The Burchies wrote:

Yes its on a vw transporter van ken   

What I meant to say is its on a v.w transporter chassis with a v.w engine.
Obviously the m/h is coach built & not a panel van.  

I know lol