Masonite Cladding

[neilncheryl]

Hi V Vers
I am replacing the external cladding of my Row Van.
The rear has quite a curve on it coming from the bottom up to the window.
Never having done anything like this before I would appreciate any tips on how to do this. I assume that if tackled wrongly the masonite will break/tear as I try to bend
Thanks
Neil

[Franklin1]

Hi Neil, I don't have any first-hand knowledge about bending masonite. One suggestion you could follow up on is to get in contact with a company called Australian Hardboard Limited, Ashburn Road Bundamba Qld 4304, Tel. [phone], website: www.australianhardboards.com.au/
I'm sure their technical people could put you on the right path.

The other suggestion for any Row Van assistance is to send a pm to trodler, who would only be too happy to help with restoration information.

cheers,
Al.

[Franklin1]

Neil, if you want a bit of history about masonite to go with your old van, you can print this story out...

www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/242.html#970

...and an old manual on Masonite home plans / garages / etc...

www.lib.monash.edu.au/exhibitions/home/virtual/photos/photo14.html

Won't give you the answer to your question, but you can impress your friends with your collection of historical bits on display in your van ;D ;D

cheers,
Al.

[raym]

Hi Neil,
Hardboard (masonite) is available in two types - standard and tempered. Standard is for internal use only. Temperd is water resistant and should be used on external of the van. It is available in 3 thicknesses - 1/8th, 3/16th, 1/4 inch. Before use both standard and tempered should be wetted. This is acheived by laying a sheet face down on a clean floor, pouring some clean water on the back of the sheet, working this into the sheet with a broom, insuring that you get the sheet wet right out to the edges. Do not get any water on the face of the sheets. Then stack the sheets back to back. If I remember correctly they recomend one pint of water per 8 x 4 sheet, however, I have always found this to be a little light on.
The sheets should bend around the shape of the van without any problems, however if you wish to prebend the sheets, this can be done by fixing a length of timber to a wall, say 1.100 above the floor and bending the sheet between the floor and the timber. This should be done just after wetting the sheets. If you do not use the sheets after 24 hours and before 36 hours the wetting process should be repeated.
raym

[raym]

Neil,
I forgot to say that most manufactures of vans used 1/8th masonite as this is cheapest and most important the lightest
raym

[neilncheryl]

Thanks Al & Ray
I measured the sheets that came off & they were 3/16.
There is a 4.8mm available so I figured this is the one.
After wetting the sheet do I need to let it dry before fitting?

When I removed the old sheets I noticed water leaks at the front & rear windows (not inside the van but between the sheets).
Is the glue enough to seal the sheet to the window frames or should I put silicon there as well?
Plan is to fit the sheets Saturday week - all going well.
Neil

[Franklin1]

Hi Neil, I found this brochure about tempered masonite on the internet...
www.gunnersens.com.au/images/stories/products/Masonite%20Tempered/brochures/More%20Details.pdf

Gives a lot of info about the product, including how much water to put on the rough side, depending on thickness (compare this with raym's info and whether the amounts advised might be a bit "light on"). Advice is to wet back of sheet(s) at least 48 hours before use. This suggests it doesn't have to be completely dry before glueing onto the framework, but is likely to be fairly dry again in that time. (see Note following...)

Note: Be mindful that I know b*gger-all about using the product, so don't take anything I say as gospel

The brochure is actually produced by the company I talked about above. Seems they are the only Australian manufacturer of masonite products.

cheers,
Al.

[neilncheryl]

Hi Al
Don't worry - won't hold you accountable but do appreciate any & all advice.
Have found that Gunnersens seem to be he only manufacturers of Tempered masonite for exterior cladding but the retailers of their product they steer me to don't get the sheet sizes available as per Gunnersens website.
It looks like I will have to put a join in the sheet along the side & I was hoping to avoid this to keep it looking original.
Oh well at least we will still have the van to use & I may be able to disguise the join
Thanks for your help
Neil

[cobber]

This Add just re-enforces the fact that Masonite was one of the companies who supplied caravan plans that advocated the use of their product in construction- this Add came out of a 1948 book.



Cobber.

[neilncheryl]

Hi Cobber
How times have changed.
We clad our van with Tempered Masonite but ringing around suppliers to find sizes/availability,
no one could believe we were putting masonite on the outside.
They were all young fellas
Neil

[Franklin1]

Hi cobber, is the van in your advert above the same as the Wayfarer plans you put in the Wayfarer history thread? Looks to be very similar to me.

Also, can you add the above advert to the "Caravan construction materials" thread in the History section, please. Your info is too good to get lost amongst the forum...

vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=chat&action=display&thread=2006

cheers,
Al.

[cobber]

G'day Al,

Well spotted mate, the 'van is the same.
The bit I put in the Wayfarer History thread came out of the 1948 "Motor Manual Caravan and Touring Book".

It states that the Wayfarer plan is based on plans originally published in the first edition of Motor Manual (that would have been April 1946) and that the plan was originally prepared by the Masonite Corporation.

I will do as you have suggested.

Cobber.

[cobber]

Instructions on how to bend Masonite from "Caravan & Touring magazine 1951.


Cobber