Floor hatch full of sand

[Jane And Rog]

I just spent an hour or so scraping the sand out from the gaps around this floor hatch. i had it open maybe two weeks ago but Moroccan sand had jammed it solid.

It’s in the middle of the floor next to the galley so gets a lot chances to eat dust :-(

Does anyone have a good way to keep this type of hatch free? Don’t really want a carpet over it which all I can think of.

 

[Miggs]

Small mat from a local souk maybe?

 

[TinaLes]

I would be inclined to recommend sealing the hatch with some tape, then putting a thin matt over the top.
I fear that those people that have been to Morocco even years ago are still hoovering out sand from every orifice in the van.
LES

 

[Brains]

You will never find it all!
I remember clearing out kilo's of sand from a Landrover that had been in North Africa 40 years earlier!

 

[Brains]

Clingfilm the underside of the hatch and then put the lid on.

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[TheTwoOfUs]

I'll tell you what my doctor said. When I told her I was going on a cruise and I am a terrible sailor I asked her what she recommended.
Her reply, don't go.

 

[PhilMary]

Duct tape is your friend .

 

[Jane And Rog]

An interior design masterpiece. I’m sure Adria will be interested in this modification.
I have also added gaffertape to the packing list.

 

[Figaro]

Gaffer tape will do a joj but it'll soon get frayed and leave a sticky residue when removed. I'd put a mat over it and be prepared with solvent when it comes to removing it.

 

[poppycamper]

Clingfilm the underside of the hatch and then put the lid on.

Might stop the sand getting into cupboard but will not stop or aid in anyway the OP's question which was "anyone know a good way to keep this hatch free"

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[steve69]

You will find the same thing happening wherever you go - not just Morocco...Bad design in my opinion.
Keep a small hand vac in the van. Run it round the edge before you lift the cover.

 

[Jane And Rog]

We looked into that before we left but got analysus paralysis. Have you got one you recommend?

 

[HugoBNB]

How often do you go into it? If it is rare, try clear plastic film floor protection as used on building sites to protect new vinyl floors. Be sure to get the one for vinyl as the carpet type can adhere itself, and, as with most duct tape, can attack the plasticisers in your floor. It comes on a roll so you can redo it as often as you want. Buy a good one though as the properties of the cheaper ones can be a bit iffey.
Good luck and safe travels.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Personally ,I would use a carpet and then you can just shake it outside, saves all that brushing up and it's more feet friendly

 

[Lenny HB]

I would get that duck tape off quick, leave it more than 24 hours and it will be a nightmare to remove and will probably take the surface of the floor off. You will need white spirit to get the residue off.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

I would get that duck tape off quick, leave it more than 24 hours and it will be a nightmare to remove and will probably take the surface of the floor off. You will need white spirit to get the residue off.

Agreed ,if your using tape use masking tape.

 

[Coolcats]

Just use a Turtle Mat in the offending area

 

[Spriddler]

You will find the same thing happening wherever you go - not just Morocco..

For many years there was sand throughout the car during and after our summer holiday with the kids in Cornwall. By the time most of it had gone it was time to go to Cornwall again. It brought back pleasant memories.

 

[poppycamper]

I would get that duck tape off quick, leave it more than 24 hours and it will be a nightmare to remove and will probably take the surface of the floor off. You will need white spirit to get the residue off.

100%... I don't think some realise how "permanent" Duck/Gaffa type tapes are if left on too long

 

[Lenny HB]

Agreed ,if your using tape use masking tape.

Masking tape is only designed to be left on for 24 hours the adhesive will cause damage.

Edit:
Adhesive probably won't cause damage but will be a pig to get off.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Masking tape is only designed to be left on for 24 hours the adhesive will cause damage.

Edit:
Adhesive probably won't cause damage but will be a pig to get off.

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[Jane And Rog]

The problem I have is that I’m already damaging the floor getting all the dust out. I think the tape is maybe less of a risk Duck sell adhesive remover.

For the future, I’m pretty sure the difference between duct tape and gaffer tape is how easy they are to remove and how much residue they leave.
Gaffer tape: easy to remove.
Duct tape: difficult to remove.
They often get confused even by the retailers and especially on Amazon.

 

[GarryP]

Real gaffer tape which I use regularly in our theatre leaves no residue. Expensive though, $17 US a roll of 2 inch. I use 4 or 5 rolls a year taping down cables. It's usually in place for two to three weeks.

 

[Jane And Rog]

Thanks GarryP where can you buy real gaffer tape? I don’t trust Amazon.

 

[eddie]

Wipe your feet?

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[Shrimp]

If the sand is that bad I would cover the floor with cheap carpets.
The sand coming in on feet-and any other way-is going to a braid the surface of that floor and it will never be the same again!

 

[Coolcats]

The problem I have is that I’m already damaging the floor getting all the dust out. I think the tape is maybe less of a risk Duck sell adhesive remover.

For the future, I’m pretty sure the difference between duct tape and gaffer tape is how easy they are to remove and how much residue they leave.
Gaffer tape: easy to remove.
Duct tape: difficult to remove.
They often get confused even by the retailers and especially on Amazon.

Only a suggestion as others have said as the sand is abrasive for me I would use turtle mats as they are rubber backed all the grit being walked in to and causing micro scratches would instead be trapped in the Mat which can then be hoovered and washes periodically.

 

[Landy Andy]

Turtle Matt’s forget us too

 

[Trevor Wbm]

How is the sand getting in? Is the underfloor box completely enclosed? Tape might be the answer, but not around the hatch.

 

[poppycamper]

Think some of us misunderstanding the OP's question.
As stated #10 I read his question as the sand is getting into joint of hatch and therefore jamming hatch shut.. and not entering into the cupboard cavity as some seem to think.
I am of coarse prepared to be corrected if Jane And Rog could clarify. Ta!