1946 Bondwood/plywood? Lots of questions!

[jackie]

Hi all,

very new to this - messaging and vintage caravans. Have a 1946 bondwood (what's the difference between bond and ply?) home made, and it's sat in my back yard under a truckies tarp for three years. Me - lots of enthusiasm, no motivation, no skills, no confidence. Will post some photo's soon then you can all have a look and tell me what to do with it! It's in very sound nick but has a hole in the front (poked when being towed by a ute with a long pole sticking out of the tray) and a graze down one side (scraped against a gate post whilst towing it home). Had to pull the carport to pieces to get it in. It's a 5 berth (baby cradle makes 5!) and has a bath! Luxury! Bedding/cushions are stuffed with what appears to be shredded timber. Has anyone heard of that before? Thanks for the website - I've been dreaming of this day!

Jackie

[Deleted]

Hi Jackie .....welcome aboard .......

Your project sounds great .....we're looking forward to your pics.

Bondwood / Plywood ?? There is no difference, its just terminology .....a wooden caravan is bonded plywood .....hope thats makes sense.

Some of our regurlar restoration experts maybe able to help you with technical advise as you progress,

cheers

Mark

[Franklin1]

Hi Jackie,
Without a photo of the "shredded timber" it is difficult to say, but it MIGHT be shredded coconut fibre. I only say this because old innerspring mattresses have a layer of coconut fibre between the springs and the outer cover (along with other layers of felting and hessian). I learnt this when I did a furniture restoration course in the late 1990s because coconut fibre is a GREAT scourer when using paint stripper. And old innerspring mattresses are a good source of fibre (...and so is All Bran ;D). So have another look and see if the shredded timber looks like coconut fibre (see photo)



[When down to the last layer(s) of paint near the timber, put a coating of stripper on, then sprinkle lots of sawdust over the stripper, then have a wad of coconut fibre in your rubber-gloved hand and rub surface to clean stripper and paint off. Leaves timber 'sparkling', and fibre and sawdust don't damage the timber surface. Great for getting the last bits of paint out of nooks and crannies.]

If it's not fibre, then at least the second bit of my post is interesting...

cheers,
Al.

[jackie]

Thanks Al,

that's handy info - given I have a lot of paint stripping to do in the house soon! The stuff in my van does look a bit like this - I thought it was a bit coarser grade but it's been a while since I looked. Next sunny day I'll venture under the tarp and have a good look. Cheers.

Jackie