Carlight Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I intend to start the damp repairs to my 1997 Swift Accord shortly and need to replace a few wallboards. The original design was called 'White Linen' by Swift and unfortunately is now obsolete. Plan B was to replace the boards with ordinary 3mm plywood and then decorate over in wallpaper. Firstly is 3mm ply available anywhere? I've found 3. 6mm ply. Would this suffice or will the 0. 6mm make a difference bearing in mind I will be removing furniture and fixtures from inside the van at one point. And lastly, is there a method for removing furniture or is it a case of looking for fixings and easing away? Any help appreciated. ... Regards Simon Quote Range Rover TDV8 Autobiography and 1993 Carlight Commander 184EK MKII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 2 Tops Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) It's quite a few years since I did any work on a caravan which took me right back to the framework, but here are my comments, for what they're worth. First, I don't think the extra 0. 6 mm on wallboard (plywood) thickness will matter. As for moving the interior furnishings, I would look for both screws and those horrible hollow rivet-type fixings. The latter can be removed by using a drill a little larger in diameter then the rivet's centre hole. If you intend to replace the furniture, then it is more important not to damage that, rather than the old wallcovering. In the event of any furniture being "resistant" to moving, consider the possibility of glue being present, along with any fixing(s) you may have missed. Also, be sure not to force any framework behind the wallboard, and make certain that any application of force isn't pulling or pushing against the outer aluminium body panels. You don't want to end up with unsightly dents or bulges. After stripping away the old wallboard, you may find areas of wood framework that require replacing due to long-term rot. I'd suggest tanalised wood for any replaced sections. Also, treat the remaining framework with a good clear wood preservative, and allow to soak in until the surface feels dry before commencing to fix new plywood walls. Ensure all framework is sound where furnishings are to be refitted with fixing screws. I once did a limited amount of work on refitting the internal walls of an old 1970's van, including new framework in places, and all done by working internally. It was surprisingly easy, and the results were as good as the original finish. I only abandoned the project because (a) I managed to twist my back badly and ( I was offered more against a new van than I was hoping for if I completed the work. Best wishes with your project. Edited March 26, 2009 by The 2 Tops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydug Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 3mm is available but may be hard to find. I would suggest going for WBP grade. Quote Citroen C5-X7 Tourer+Avondale Rialto 480/2 https://jondogoescaravanning.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) Sure it's not 'white Linnette' your looking for? Edited March 26, 2009 by Arc Systems Quote Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlight Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Sure it's not 'white Linnette' your looking for? I did see that board but from the e-mail Swift sent me it definitely was 'Linen'. The closest match I have found so far is Barton. (see wallboards page below) The match isn't really that important as the repair is in the kitchen area away from the lounge and will not really be noticeable. I've just been down to the caravan and pulled back the window seal in the kitchen and the whole area is completely mushed. The intension is to remove the fridge,oven and hob then attempt to remove the unit with the sink in. The overhead lockers will remain in situ and the wallboard will butt up to the existing. I'm expecting the worse case scenario but feel more than confident about tackling the job. Plenty of photos will be taken and hopefully it may help anyone else contemplating such a job in the future. Watch this space. . Quote Range Rover TDV8 Autobiography and 1993 Carlight Commander 184EK MKII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianinhull Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 B&Q have sheets of 3-4mm Marine Ply, its expensive, but comes in various size panel. Often used to build canoes so must be suitable for caravans. have you tried the various caravan breakers for the odd bit of panel. Keep us informed of your progress, good luck. Brian Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blue '07 X Trail Aventura 2. 2dci, S7 Pageant Provence + Truma MK2 Original Mover, Blue Kampa Rally 390 Awning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBS Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 (edited) Are you sure 'White Linen' is not available? Try O'Leary Motorhomes or Magnum Motorhomes. Worth a 'phone call. Mike Edited March 27, 2009 by SBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilbs Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 3mm is available but may be hard to find. I would suggest going for WBP grade. Not wishing to be picky but, WBP is not a grade of plywood, WBP represents "water, boil, proof" and refers purely to the glueline, it is not telling you anything about the venners in the panel. Marine ply may be expensive but is probably the safest bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobybug Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 hi guy's we have just an extremely damp caravan, and have been told it's uneconomical to repair it is a 1998 swift accord 520. ....both sides have damp . ..we have tried to get our money back . ...but we aint getting anywhere fast so it looks like we will have to do the repair our selves my husband is a joiner so replacing the timber shouldnt be a problem its the adhesives were not sure about the caravan man told us today that the adhesive alone just for one side would cost £600 plus ANY HELP AND ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED regards nick oh and the hubbie phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry.m1byt Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 hi guy'swe have just an extremely damp caravan, and have been told it's uneconomical to repair it is a 1998 swift accord 520. ....both sides have damp . ..we have tried to get our money back . ...but we aint getting anywhere fast so it looks like we will have to do the repair our selves my husband is a joiner so replacing the timber shouldnt be a problem its the adhesives were not sure about the caravan man told us today that the adhesive alone just for one side would cost £600 plus ANY HELP AND ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED regards nick oh and the hubbie phil If you bought the caravan from a dealer, then they must repair it, replace it, or offer a refund. Be persistant. If bought privately you have no solution at all. I would not have thought £600 or anywhere near that figure. I completely rebuilt a roof, after the previous owner had installed a roof light without sealing it - all the timbers across from front to back, except for the awning rail timbers which were OK. I removed all the furnituture the lining, replaced the timbers, the insulation fitted new lining and put everything back. I used something similar to 'No more nails' to glue the new roof timbers to the aluminium. The total cost was about £70 for bits, including fuel to collect the three lining panels from Hull. Quote Bailey Pageant Monarch Series 5 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadbackCol Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 (edited) hi guy'swe have just an extremely damp caravan, and have been told it's uneconomical to repair it is a 1998 swift accord 520. ....both sides have damp . ..we have tried to get our money back . ...but we aint getting anywhere fast so it looks like we will have to do the repair our selves my husband is a joiner so replacing the timber shouldnt be a problem its the adhesives were not sure about the caravan man told us today that the adhesive alone just for one side would cost £600 plus ANY HELP AND ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED regards nick oh and the hubbie phil Hi nick and welcome. One of the most widely used sealant adhesives in caravan repairs is Sikaflex 512. http://www. caravanspares2repairs. co. uk/sik. ..alant-114-p. asp I'm sure that a search on the 'net will show other products and no doubt other members will be along to give their advice. Good luck with your project and any pictures will be useful. HTH Regards. Col Edited June 8, 2009 by BadbackCol Quote Proud to be a Patriot and CT NinjaI get the feeling that beneath your sesquipedalian loquaciousness you're the same kind of fundamentalist intent on winning arguments through Argumentum Verbosium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawzoo Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 hi there i have just done an old van that ii got for £20 for my daughter wall boards recoverd the seats ok it will never be a rolls royce but just starting out and full set up for under £300 inc awning new tyers hitch lock water barels and waste also toilet anaway i used 3mm wall board from an ebay auction 110346590726 they were a bit slow at del so rang up and they sent out the order again only this time it was ordnary ply not with a veneere finish these were seconds also seconds becuse slight damage to the corners which made no diference as they were 8x4 and had to be cut so it may be worth ringing to see if they have any left i stuck them on using b&q own make nonails proped up with awning poles i had also removed all the seats etc and put back in with pop peal rivits take a look at this web site http://www. bailey94. pwp. blueyonder. co. uk/index. htm it may help with some info also the links are good also had to replace some frame work around the door and front window i used a stickaflex to bond the alloy panel to the new frame thanks scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hessleroader Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 dont know if you are still interested, but I have some caravan plywood at 3mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ern Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) The adhesive to be used should be a surface adhesive for styrene. It is meant to fill any cavities in the styrene insulation material that will be damaged when the interier board is removed. It may be neccesary to cut the interior board into smallish squares with a stanley knife, then ease a scraper behind the board to release it from the styrene, so that large areas of styrene are not ripped out away from the outer skin. These adhesives are expensive as one dealer has advised. If an incorrect adhesive is used it will not adhere. If the board is not stuck well to the styrene, the result will be awfull. The job can be done by a DIYer, but use the correct adhesive. Edited October 22, 2010 by Ian Hastings Quote Ern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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