Holes in van floor

[poindexter]

Hey forum, so I have well and truly started my camper van conversion and we have run into the first problem.

After removing all the plywood interior from the van, there are a number of holes in the van floor. Probably somewhere in the region of 50 to 60 of the little blighters. They are screw holes. Previously covered with gaffer tape. We have removed the gaffer tape from them and there is the initial signs of the areas rusting. Not bad at all but it has started. Just looking for some advice really on how to properly correct this and stop further corrosion? I was thinking to use expanding foam to insulate the floor as it would expand through the screw holes but now thinking this might not be the right course of action.

There are also some bigger ones about the size of an old 50 pence piece. Conveniently two of them are exactly where I would want to drop the pipes for the fresh water and grey water. The others are not so convenient.

What is the best way to fix this please? This must be a common problem...

 

[pappajohn]

Silicon (or similar) sealant in and around the holes then again from underneath.
Better still to hammer flat underneath the holes then seal.
One person up top with a lump hammer as an anvil and another underneath with a lighter hammer.

 

[Lenny HB]

Clean them up and rust treat before sealing. I would use an RTV Silicon like Pro Seal Black RTV.

 

[poindexter]

Used Araldite instead. Job done. no more holes

 

[rangi]

Depends how large they are, anything up to say 15mm , go to a kitchen supply company they'll sell you a packet of various sizes of the plastic caps they use to cover the screw holes .
A dob of sealent on them and press into place.

B&Q also have plastic bungs, that can cover holes up to 50mm , have bought them and used them on our VWT4 in the past.

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[Gromett]

To prevent the rust coming back. Sand thoroughly, treat with a rust converter that contains phosphoric acid. I then ALWAYS use a very high zinc content primer. This acts as an artificial anode and I have never seen rust come back through this combination.
Using fluid film once the job is completely done adds an extra layer of creeping protection