Canite

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dave,

Caneite was used as the material for the ceiling of many caravans in the 40's and 50's. It was/is made from sugar cane trash resulting from the making of sugar - hence 'caneite'. It was used in vans because it can be cambered in two directions at once, and because of its insulating properties. It is not waterproof. The canvas on top of the caneite (once properly applied and treated) is what made the rooves waterproof.

Caneite is still available, and is still called that. I think it used to be a relatively cheap building material - my bedroom as a kid was lined with it instead of plaster (walls and ceiling). But it's not cheap these days.

If you use the forum search facility and type in "caneite" you will find further information about caneite and replacing both the caneite and the canvas.

Glad to hear that the van is staying.

Don Ricardo

[DC3Td]

I remember quite some years ago at a camping site at Norah Head where the cabins were lined with this stuff.Unfortuneatly one night after a number of imbibements one or more of us fell thru a wall.Cost me a months pocket money.Damn kids.Can`t take them anywhere!cheers gordon

[DC3Td]

Hi Oldfarts. ......a minimum of 10 sheets @ 62 bucks each! Obviously that place isn`t in a hurry to sell. cheers gordon

[DC3Td]

Caneite - to be renamed Softboard. 1.2 x 915 x 12.7 @ $26.99.1300 551126. 1.2 x 2.4 x 12.7 @ $59.87. [phone]. cheers gordon

[DC3Td]

Hi Olfarts. Whilst caneite & masonite are used as walling products,there is a difference.Caneite is a much softer product.Almost feltlike in texture. You can thumb a tack into it unlike masonite whereby you`d use a hammer.Masonite is much more densly compressed.Caneite has the distinction of being a sound proofing/deadener product. You`ve probably seen without realising that recording studios used/use caneite in panel form. Maybe 1' x3' sizes. A lot of houses used them as finished product lounge ceiling panels.Some different designs had a series of 3/8" holes in them. cheers gordon

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dave,

Gordon is right about the differences. Caneite is soft enough that you can actually crumble it with your fingers. Caneite is also normally considerably thicker than masonite - caneite is maybe 5-7 mm thick, while masonite is only a couple of mm's thick. In terms of colour, caneite is a light tan/beigy colour, while masonite is - well, masonite coloured. ;D ;D ;D

Caneite was used as the internal lining of caravan rooves in conjunction with ply, masonite or canvas. For example, Don caravans had marine ply rooves with the ceiling lined with caneite for insulation purposes.

If your van has a masonite roof, does it have an internal lining? If so what is it made of?

Don Ricardo

[DC3Td]

Hi Dave. As you/we are on the subject of panelling as such.If you`re going to line the inside of your van roof with masonite perhaps spend a couple of extra dollars (as you`re not going to use caneite) and grab some sisalation/pink batts.Just a thought.cheers gordon

[retro1]

I have been reading your link on your rebuild of your caravan and think that putting PINK BATTS in the walls and roof would not be advisable ( my opinion). The reason is that if you do get a leak or moisture of any sort it will be held in the batt and then expand and soak into the Masonite. The link below will show you what I have done,
vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1140&page=1
This van is now 4 years old and has seen days of 45 degrees to being rained on for days on end. The foam is light weight and easier to use. As for Masonite, canite or any other timber plys go to Australian Timbers at Magill SA. They will help you out and explain all the grades of Masonite and plys.
It would be great to see some pics

Cheers
Retro

[retro1]

Cheers for the nice comments, ;D
I looked up in the white pages, from memory it was at Pasadena/Panorama???
If you get stuck with any advise or help PM me and I'll send you my details.

Cheers
Retro1

[Deleted]

pics posted for Dave (olfarts):

[harriet]

hi harriet here. look up addres of old oldens at osulivns beach and up the road from him is a seconhand place he had a lot of cainite second hand but in good condition and cheap can not remember his name good luck hope has some left for you .