Olympic Debonair - another salvage

[gregh]

Hi everyone,

ALL IMAGES IN THIS THREAD HAVE BEEN MIGRATED TO POSTIMAGE.ORG - 25th July 2017

Just thought I'd share another Olympic Debonair that is being saved from the elements. No sure on the year it is yet; can't read the chassis number for the rust and dirt; plus it's to darn wet to put the extra effort in just now.

It's probably an early 70's, but it might be a 69er. Boblor can help on that when I find out what the chassis number is.

This one is a little different in that at some time in it's early existence, someone had a caravan company, probably Olympic, change it from a twin single bed to a double bed. I'm assuming this because the fitout looks like factory fitout. You cannot lift the bed to access the storage however, there is a large/deep slide out draw under the bed; the rear of the draw has wheels on it. The evidence of the single beds can still be seen on the floor under the bed when you take the draw out.

The interior is still pretty much intact. One cupboard door will need to be replaced as will the slide bench over the stove and possibly the table.

The floor is in really good condition however, there is some roof damage that is leaking and a small area of the floor under the seat next to the fridge is affected, but only the top layer.

Anyway; here's some photo's

[gregh]

Some more Photo's

[willow5075]

Looks like she needs a good scrub but in pretty good nick otherwise?

[gregh]

On Sunday in the rain, I decide to see what would clean all the fungus and mould growth off. First; high pressure clean. The first photo is results of a high pressure clean
The light section through the middle is the result of spray on shower cleaner (bleach). The red and black mould is coming off but the orange, green and brown stuff seems to be unaffected.

The second photo shows an area cleaned with bleach - this area had red mould only.

Today I sprayed it with one of the apply and forget driveway/concrete cleaners. I hope it doesn't forget that I applied it!

What successes have other members had with cleaning stubborn mould?

[DC3Td]

Gday OzeT.Can`t go wrong with bleach as it kills any foreign growth. Concrete cleaner i`ve never used in any form so can`t say.Needless to say the Deb has a healthier looking complection now. gordon

[boblor]

Hi oze
It maybe a 1971 model, but find the chassis no. and I will confirm.
Cheers boblor

[gregh]

It's amazing what a couple of hours worth of scrubbing and a bit of bleach will achieve.

[rex]

WOW !
Thats a result , its a ripper .

[boblor]

Hi oze
Surely you have by now cleaned up the chassis no. ??, what about passing it on, so we know when it is to have a birthday.
Cheers boblor

[gregh]

Hi Bob,

Actually no; I've been focused on cleaning. I had plans of doing this weekend sometime, so just for you I've checked it out sooner.

The chassis No: is 2067. Given the condition of this van, I'd say it's a new one to add to your list.

Look forward to knowing it's year of build.

Cheers.
Oz

[gregh]

BUMP:

Just in case you missed it Bob. The chassis No: is 2067

Oz

[boblor]

Hi ozi
As I though, a late 1971 model.
Cheers boblor

[CanAm]

Great job - looks a treat!

[gregh]

Finally got a chance to get something done. This old girl had major roof damage caused by a falling tree branch. I used plastic wrappe plywood screwed through the roof from inside to pull it all back into shape. I wrapped the ply in plastic to stop the fibreglass resin sticking to the ply. Then used a sanding disk fitted to an angle grinder to sand and taper the area to be fibre glassed. You can see the odd white spot; that's the screw holes being patched after the initial repair. It all came up quite solid and neat finish.



The white-wash ply panel around the kitchen window had some water damage and other damage from previous owners gluing stuff to it. This was glued on real good but I needed to salvage the undamaged panel so I could repair the water damaged bedhead. Once I had the panel off, I could see the lower timber strip under the window had wood rot, so it's been replaced. Also took the window out and refitted it with new sealer. I'll replace the kitchen panel with a white panel similar to what I used on the other Debonair.



Here's the panel I was able to salvage - to be used to repair the bedhead.




I'll use the above panel to repair the top of the bedhead below.





Next week I plan to try and colour match some flow coat to the original gel coat. I hope I succeed cause if I don't, I'll have to paint her.

Cheers Greg

[gregh]

Chasing a single cupboard handle for Olympic caravan - see image. Some corrosion OK as I will be polishing and clear coating. Happy to pay and postage.

Please PM me if you can help.

Cheers

Greg

[gregh]

Time for an update on progress.

Kitchen wall has new lining as does the top of the bedhead. Replaced rotting chipboard stove top with a new 15mm ply; new laminex but used the original trim and mounts.

Kitchen table also got the same treatment, but the original laminex was reused.

Rear white vinyl bed linings were cleaned; amazing what stains you can clean with bleach!

All visible windows have been removed, cleaned and resealed with a polyurethane sealer.

Some windows have had the timber frame replaced at the bottom like the kitchen window in previous post.
..











More soon.

[gregh]

Time for another progress update.

I've had a couple of good weekends free and made some good progress on the interior.

Fridge restored





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Table with new recycled laminex and refurbished supports.






Refurbished cupboard handles




Just need to recover the table cushions and make new curtains - then I start on the exterior and running gear.

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A few bits ready to fit.
.

more next week.

Cheers
Greg

[gregh]

Hi all

Van is nearing completion so need the following items to finish.

Chasing 4 exterior grab handles for Olympic caravan. see image. Prefer good condition.
.

.
Also chasing a single cupboard handle for Olympic caravan - see image. Some corrosion OK as I will be polishing and clear coating.
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Thanks
Greg

[atouchofglass]

Nice bit of progress there Greg.

Glad to see another Olympic being saved and used.

Keep at it mate.

Atog

[boblor]

Hi Greg
I think I have a handle for you, I will check tomorrow in the den and let you know.
Cheers boblor

[gregh]

Back again. It's been a while. Wasn't a good year for me as far as progress goes on this van. Hurt my back pretty bad early in the year and like a goose, I did the typical male thing and soldered on; bad mistake. It's only been the last few weeks I've had the strength/confidence to get back into finishing this van.

I've been prepping the exterior for a new paint job. Ready to topcoat in the morning. It's been getting pretty windy here the last few days; starts around 10-11am so I'll get started about 5am if there's no dew.

To help protect from the wind, I've made a temporary partial spray booth from a tarp and shade cloth. This is what I did last time and it works quite well.
.
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More photos soon.

Greg

[atouchofglass]

Power to you Greg
Sorry to hear about your back, we all think we are still 20.
Sigh..... oh to be that young with my current knowledge.

Old head young shoulders.

Looking forward to the finished spray job.

[gregh]

Thanks ATOG

Yep. Young at heart but the body's fading

Here's some progress photos.
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Cheers Greg

[gregh]

All painted now: new stickers on; wheels trims from Holden Sunbird.

[boblor]

Hi Greg
You have done a great job on this one, you should be happy with what you have achieved.I think those quality stickers set it off !!.
Cheers boblor