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Post by mareec on Oct 11, 2009 20:45:58 GMT 10
Hi, We are just about to start the restoration of our old van. All the pop rivets in the van are either loose or missing and we have noticed that the aluminum cladding has come away from some of the inner plywood shell. Can anyone tell us if we need to re-glue the aluminum cladding to the plywood and if so what with? Also when we are re-pop rivoting the aluminum panels again do I need to seal these joins with a sealant first? Any help would be grately appreciated. My van can be seen on the General part of the forum under Ássistance Needed. Thanks Maree C
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Post by firefighter on Oct 11, 2009 21:31:34 GMT 10
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Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 12, 2009 13:51:57 GMT 10
Hi MareeC Do you know if those rivets are only into the underneath ply or actually in the framing itself? If they go into the framing itself, my inclination would be to use stainless steel screws instead. If they only go into the ply and you use rivets again, I would think that they would pull through again, so would still be inclined to use screws (shorter ones). If you go the way of rivets, make sure you use "blind" aluminium rivets, as they are waterproof.
Without seeing the van in the flesh, I'm not sure that there would be a need to re-glue, as I would doubt that it was glued on in the first place. You would know better though, if you can lift the aluminium a bit and see what's underneath. If anything, perhaps "no more nails" would be an option, to hold the aluminium flat against the ply.
1954homemade has aluminium cladding on ply finish too, and I notice she commented that at one point during storage of the van here in Qld, she developed a bubble effect whilst under a Tarp. Makes me wonder if this may have been caused by differing expansion rates of the two materials, and happened BECAUSE they are glued together. Only a thought, but also a possibility, which would make me inclined NOT to glue the two materials together if it can be avoided.
Don't suppose you considered taking the aluminium off the sides and have the bondwood finish instead? Could look quite good too.
Ray
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Post by mareec on Oct 17, 2009 18:24:27 GMT 10
Hi Ray, Thank you so much for all your tips. Didn't think of screws so will go and investigate suppliers this week. I have already discovered a minor problem. Where the fridge goes there is a vent of sorts behind it, however when I pulled this off it seems the previous owner has actually cut this hole out himself and put a vent/grill on to enable him to put a fridge in this space. Very messy job too. Obviously he didn't have a jigsaw to do the job so he just drilled holes all the way around until the ply fell out. It would appear this space was not meant for a fridge but an ice box. Not much I can do about it now I will have to put the vent back where it came from. The one he used does not match the van and appears to have been recycled from a locker door so it should have been a dead give away. Not sure what I am going to do about it at this stage but there sure is a market out there for a caravan wreckers isn't there. Thanks again for you comments they are greatly appreciated.
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Post by mareec on Oct 19, 2009 12:31:14 GMT 10
Hi Well I have begun. Pulled the bed/couch unit at the back of the van out on the weekend. What a job! The livestock count was not too bad. 2 dead mice, 1 live one and a few snake skins. Don't worry I had broom at hand at all times. You can just imagine the state of this bed. YUK Can anyone suggest a good upholsterer in Brisbane they can recommend? I also need to locate some old diamond patterened aluminium or just plain unpainted stuff. Any suggestions? Thanks Maree C
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