Mothorhome wallboards/panels

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May 7, 2023
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Elddis Autostatus
Hello Adventurers!

My partner and I recently purchased Es Cargol (the snail), a 1999 Pegout Boxer Elddis Autostratus UK. While it seems that everything works and it is water tight, we are prepared for the worst :D.

We would like to repaint the walls of Es Cargol but we are not familiar with the wall structure. It seems that the outer layer is made of fabric (this fabric is everywhere even in the toilet) which seem folded every 15-20 cm. Can this fabric be removed? What is behind this fabric? Do we have ply behind the fabric? How thick is this ply? Has anybody done this job before and would suggest the best way to approach the job? Is there any Heynes manual for these type of jobs?

Thanks,
 
Hi and welcome. Someone here will have had similar.
Do you have any pics that could help
 
Usual construction is a 25mm thick wooden frame with an aluminium skin on the exterior and a thin ply interior with polystyrene bonded in between. So almost certainly plywood behind the fabric/paper. Usually only just over 3mm thick. The only way to know for sure is to strip a tiny bit off in an inconspicuous place, maybe under a seat or inside one of the lockers?
 
Hello Adventurers!

My partner and I recently purchased Es Cargol (the snail), a 1999 Pegout Boxer Elddis Autostratus UK. While it seems that everything works and it is water tight, we are prepared for the worst :D.

We would like to repaint the walls of Es Cargol but we are not familiar with the wall structure. It seems that the outer layer is made of fabric (this fabric is everywhere even in the toilet) which seem folded every 15-20 cm. Can this fabric be removed? What is behind this fabric? Do we have ply behind the fabric? How thick is this ply? Has anybody done this job before and would suggest the best way to approach the job? Is there any Heynes manual for these type of jobs?

Thanks,

signal-2023-05-08-182558_003.jpeg signal-2023-05-08-182558_002.jpeg

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Thank you everyone for the reply. The wallboard is indeed wallpaper over ply. and just found out a soft bit... will need to strip it off and replace it underneath ply. The ceiling must similar structure but with different fabric.
 
They ply probably won't be any thicker than 6mm
 
The ply will be 2.5 to 3mm bonded to battens that are bonded to the outer alloy skiing. Take care when removing the ply as the bond of the battens to the outer skin will be weaker than to the ply. You could end up distorting the outer skin. There is also a chemical treatment in the battens to help preserve them and should not be breathed in. So masks please. If you use a hair dryer or a heat gun on its lowest setting this may help?
 
Thank you all for the replies. It turns out we have some water ingress on a wall and will need to strip off the wall to repair the damage. As for the ceiling we will fit some new tongue and groove cladding.

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There are some members who have successfully undertaken similar (and larger) repairs, so don't be disheartened. Do a search to find them and follow their advice.
 
When your ready to attack the problem then bear in mind that it may well take longer than you think but it can be done! With care.
Most useful tool is a vibrating multitool. Mains is fine, battery is better but good ones are expensive, also a good led worklight. Halogens get very hot. And a lot of patience.
The damp we had was due to water from an old leak that had been repaired and it had worked away for 10years before becoming apparent hidden by the plastic coating on the ply
Good luck
Mike
 
I will second Mikes recommendation of one of those oscillating saws. Very difficult to remove wallboard without one, but you also have to be very cautious not to send it straight out through the outer aluminium skin.
 
Be aware of your payload, these vans are made with the thinnest materials poss to keep weight down!
That is a really good point! Thanks for bringing it up. I will have indeed be careful. Perhaps I will just lay some wallpaper with tongue and groove motif :D

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urban_biker and Mike800966 thanks for the advice. Actually I have lots of tools since we spent past 3 years refurbishing our home. We thought with EsCargol we would finally be free to roam around but instead we keep up with tradition of buying wrecks and fixing them :D.
 
urban_biker and Mike800966 thanks for the advice. Actually I have lots of tools since we spent past 3 years refurbishing our home. We thought with EsCargol we would finally be free to roam around but instead we keep up with tradition of buying wrecks and fixing them :D.
Its a bit like extreme decorating. It looks a hell of a mess when you strip it down, but once you get the new wall board on and have fixed any leaks its as good as new. Just have to not get disheartened.

Oh and be really careful with the epoxy caravan bond glue when you are doing wallboards as it can get everywhere. Also, when you put pressure on the inside to help bond the wallboard you'll need to find some way to put even pressure on the outside so you don't end up with mis-shapen walls!
 

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