Hi ppl sorry but I ned some advice. I am trying to restore an abi monza 300 that has had bad damp and rot. I have to replace the back section of floor and some of the wood frame. I have been stripping down the internal wall board. But for the life of me I can't seem to get the foam insulation block free . I also want to take the outer shell off so I can access the frame easier where it needs to be replaced. But it won't come away as the foam is stopping it . Any help or advice appreciated.
Hi and help lol
- Thread starter Markyt1980
- Start date
The "foam"/Polystyrene will be glued to the outer skin, the wood frame and the wall board.
When i did a repair I could not save the polystyrene, it all had to be cut out. Your construction could be different though as my van was an Abbey.
Is it really necessary to remove the outer skin?
Mine was an Aluminium skin and was stapled to the frame, with the awning rail screws going through both the rail and the skin to the frame. It was tricky to remove the frame but persevered and it did come away.
When i did a repair I could not save the polystyrene, it all had to be cut out. Your construction could be different though as my van was an Abbey.
Is it really necessary to remove the outer skin?
Mine was an Aluminium skin and was stapled to the frame, with the awning rail screws going through both the rail and the skin to the frame. It was tricky to remove the frame but persevered and it did come away.
I don't think I'd touch the outer skin either, you should be able to get to everything from the inside.
Do you need to remove the polystyrene? When I started repairs on my old caravan I just got a scraper behind the wallboard and gently peeled it away from the polystyrene. The rotten wood was then exposed where you can just cut it out and replace.
Do you need to remove the polystyrene? When I started repairs on my old caravan I just got a scraper behind the wallboard and gently peeled it away from the polystyrene. The rotten wood was then exposed where you can just cut it out and replace.
Thank you for the replies. Much appreciated. I will need to replace a back section of the floor as its rotten right through as far as the edge of thebstyrofoam I have pics but not sure how to put them up. The floor frame that's meant to be around the styrofoam ha rotted away and also the bottoms of the frame to the back wall and about 2ft along the bottom side walls. The wood that holds the sides of the frame to the floor with screws and bonding etc. Omg feeling very scared lol. I am competent at diy and not ready to give up tho. I want to access the aluminium to see if there are holes etc. I have found stockist for the styrofoam for the floor. But everywhere I have read says to use 5mm marine type ply. But all I can find is 5.5mm and 6mm marine ply. I plan to cut back the ply top of the floor to expose the foam and wooden joists where ever they are. And rebuild a frame then attach it to the original frame somehow. With a new ply bottom then bond the foam to it. And then from there attach and bond a new top ply floor. But before the new floor is in place I will rebuild the rotten sections of back and side frame so when the floor is finished last. I can Undo the aluminium to screw the wall sides and back to the floor again. Any advice on materials wood screws to use etc. Would be great. Does this sound along the right path?
Many thanks
Many thanks
Also re the aluminium, rather than take the whole back section off. Is there any way I can get the styrofoam out away from the aluminium without damaging the whole foam or should I just replace it with new. I have managed to find a replacement window. The previous back window had a big crack in it and I think this hasn't helped the water ingress. But want to replace the rubber window seal. I know I can measure the thickness needed but I keep seeing something referring to different sized bulb. But not sure what this refers to. Was thinking replace any wood that needs replacing around the window then get the correct mm size sealant strip put it around the window then put the rubber in place, staple the rubber the. Add the inner white bit and go around the outside with sikaflex 512 etc. For rebuilding the frame is tanalized wood the better option. And as the caravan floor is old along with the chassis. Don't think its an allo one. It's black and not the grey colour. Am I best to treat the underside with a wood preservative or bitumen paint to preserve the under wooden floor.
Lol sorry for so many questions
Lol sorry for so many questions
Parksy
Moderator
Welcome to the forum and good luck with the restoration Marky.
I moved your thread to the Technical message board so that more forum members will see your questions and hopefully answer them.
I moved your thread to the Technical message board so that more forum members will see your questions and hopefully answer them.
Markyt1980 said:
Plenty of advice here about posting
photos
As for your screws used either stainless steel or coated decking screws, when i did a similar repair a few years ago i used the coated one's
Hi there, well I spent yesterday trying to get off wallboard band was also excited when I discovered where the floor joist is that I will be attaching the new section of floor to. Right I am going to try and post a picture now so fingers crossed. More to come. I'm a total newbie at caravaning and must be mad to take this project on. I hope I can do it. Fingers crossed
Parksy
Moderator
Well done on getting the pictures onto the forum Mark but in Photobucket go to your settings and click on the Privacy box, otherwise anyone has access to your account and could potentially add or edit pictures
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