Friday, February 04, 2005
Interiors:
Camping interiors.
Most campers from approved VW conversions can be repaired and updated.
Bench tops, cupboards, robes, fridge cabinets, stove are easily removed.
Nearly all are bolted or screwed together. If you are worried about getting it all back together take digital camera shots as you go and also mark with chalk where panels fit.
If you remove sink, where fitted, you can see where frames are fastened to body or other cabinets.
With seperate fridge cabinets they are usually fastened to floor or to bulk head. Undo fasteners, screws or bolts, slide cabinet forward gently in case electrical or gas pipe is clipped to it and then lift off.
You can see how bench top is fastened once you remove sink and these usually lift easily.
Save the plastic strip that seals bench top to side of vehicle though if damaged it is available in most hardware stores.
If panels of furniture are damaged, usually by separation of fibres by water, and need replacement you can use these as a template to make new ones.
These can be from original type board, pine or newer materials with melamine finishes.
With the cheapness of modern power tools you can buy sanders, jigsaws etc that you could throw away after as they will save you many times their cost over sending work out.
(1) comments
Camping interiors.
Most campers from approved VW conversions can be repaired and updated.
Bench tops, cupboards, robes, fridge cabinets, stove are easily removed.
Nearly all are bolted or screwed together. If you are worried about getting it all back together take digital camera shots as you go and also mark with chalk where panels fit.
If you remove sink, where fitted, you can see where frames are fastened to body or other cabinets.
With seperate fridge cabinets they are usually fastened to floor or to bulk head. Undo fasteners, screws or bolts, slide cabinet forward gently in case electrical or gas pipe is clipped to it and then lift off.
You can see how bench top is fastened once you remove sink and these usually lift easily.
Save the plastic strip that seals bench top to side of vehicle though if damaged it is available in most hardware stores.
If panels of furniture are damaged, usually by separation of fibres by water, and need replacement you can use these as a template to make new ones.
These can be from original type board, pine or newer materials with melamine finishes.
With the cheapness of modern power tools you can buy sanders, jigsaws etc that you could throw away after as they will save you many times their cost over sending work out.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
The VW Camper and bus are still possibly the most popular camper and people mover in the world.
With good access to parts, especially for the bay window models from 1968 onwards restoring, refurbishing is not a problem.
In UK and Europe rust is more of a problem than in Australia, South Africa and the USA.
With the ideal layout of rear engine and transmission it is relatively easy to carry out both minor and major work. Although many mechanics are wary of VWs it is a very logical layout to work on.
When buying a VW Bus or camper always check for rust especially in front cabin floor area and around windscreen and pillars.
Some refurbished/ restored campers can be seen on links at http://westairmarketing.freeservers.com
(1) comments
With good access to parts, especially for the bay window models from 1968 onwards restoring, refurbishing is not a problem.
In UK and Europe rust is more of a problem than in Australia, South Africa and the USA.
With the ideal layout of rear engine and transmission it is relatively easy to carry out both minor and major work. Although many mechanics are wary of VWs it is a very logical layout to work on.
When buying a VW Bus or camper always check for rust especially in front cabin floor area and around windscreen and pillars.
Some refurbished/ restored campers can be seen on links at http://westairmarketing.freeservers.com
