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Buddy Tennison (Buddyten)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 11:35 pm: | |
When we purchased our Eagle, there had been some previous semi-conversion. This did not include a raised roof. There was some cabinetry, some nice window trims and frames, some built in sofas, and lighting valances. However, the original bus ceiling is still in place, and we want to "dress it up" a little. Since we do not have a raised roof, height is a consideration.
Please look at our idea(s) and tell us if there are better ways to do it.
1. We want to take 1/2" plywood, and cut into 2" wide strips. These will be glued and screwed (lengthwise) to the old ceiling. We would like suggestions on what "centers" these should be placed to avoid any flop or movement.
2. To give us some extra insulation, we are thinking about putting some of the 1/2" pink foam board insul between the strips. Will this be of much help, and if not, is there some other insul material that will be better.
3. We are then thinking of taking luan or thin plywood, and screwing/gluing it to the strips. Something thin that will make the "bends" around the roofline. We thought we would use fasteners long enough not only to go through the plywood strips, but into the old ceiling as well. Thought we would use like F26 for the glue, or some other you might suggest.
4. We then thought we would install either light carpet or some other type headliner material onto the luan. Unless you guys have other suggestions of a better material. Also if we do that, what type glue should be use that would be sure to hold it in place.
5. We also want to build a "channel" type enclosure, approx 8" wide and as deep as the cover for the rooftops (about 1") to carry wiring, and maybe some lighting, covered with same material that our sofa cushions are made of. This will run down the center of the bus the entire length.
We fully realize that we could just glue carpet to the original ceiling, with some "finish" stripping. However, we would like to get just a little bit of insul, as we have very little (just what was in the original bus roof) insulation, and anything might help in those hot days.
We also thought about just pulling out the old ceiling and attaching the luan/plywood direct to the bus frames, with some cross bracing. However, we don't know how hard it is to remove that old ceiling material, and what would be involved from there.
Our "front lounge" is 14' long from the steps to the partition. The "Bunk Room" is approx 9', and the "Back Dressing Lounge" makes up the rest of the bus.
We don't want to get into a process that will be extremely expensive and hard to do, as this bus rolls practically every weekend as a tour bus for our gospel group. Also, we only intend to keep this bus for a couple or so years, then want to move up to another better/bigger bus as funds allow. Therefore, we want to maintain the "KISS" method here.
Will welcome any thoughts, ideas, suggestions on this project. |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 1:27 am: | |
The most work, is taking out what's already been installed.
Keep that in mind.
And with that in mind, you'll have to ask yourself, if undoing
what's there and replacing it, is really worth the effort.
You said:
"we only intend to keep this bus for a couple or so years, then
want to move up to another better/bigger bus as funds allow"
There's your answer! Keep it as-is, and roll happily along,
until you can find (and afford) what you really want.
There's so much to do with ripping out what's there; delving
into the unknown, and replacing material that may, or may not,
be beneficial.... That you'll have to weigh in all the options carefully.
It all adds up to ca$h!
Live and let live. Tomorrow will bring a better day! |
Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:23 am: | |
Buddy,
Your plan sounds fine. I'd go with 'Rmax' insulation sheet as it has a higher 'R'(7/in) value than the pink foam (5/in). I do think the added insulation is very helpful. I used 8" centers for my similar strapping. But I used 'Structoglass' instead of the luan & upholstery. This gives a quicker and more easily cleaned finnish.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 9:10 am: | |
Jerry -
How long do you figure it would take them to tear out the old
and replace it as you have? Keep in mind they said:
"We don't want to get into a process that will be extremely
expensive and hard to do, as this bus rolls practically every
weekend as a tour bus for our gospel group. "
Is it really that fast and easy to do for inexperienced people? |
Dale Fleener (Dale_mc8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:27 am: | |
If your main concern is insulating, you might consider doing it on the other side of the ceiling. George Myers has an article somewhere about adding a 'second roof' for insulating reasons. Just another direction to think about.
Dale MC8 |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 5:14 pm: | |
Drive it like it is for a couple of years as John recommends. It seems extremely foolish to tackle that big a job for some feature that you will soon get used to. Believe me, I have owned several different coaches and I got used to them in very short order.
I can almost assure that as soon as you start taking something out you will find something else that needs to be changed or something and pretty soon you end up with an empty shell.
Richard |
JimH
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:54 pm: | |
I had a similar deal on my 01. I removed the old (stock) ceiling and the pad of fiberglass insulation, had the roof foamed, put on luann and ozlite. Removing the old stock ceiling was the toughest part of the job! It was tough. It was a composite of formica type stuff and a perferated alumimun. I had to saw along each rib and ripp it off. It was a bitch!!! Grinding down the foam was not pleasent either! I am very glad I did it as the bus is much quiter, has not leaks from roof, and says much cooler in the summer. Not sure I would do it if you aren't planning on keeping it long term and if you are not camping in it a lot.
Your mileage may vary.
JimH |
ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:37 am: | |
"I can almost assure that as soon as you start taking something out you will find something else that needs to be changed or something and pretty soon you end up with an empty shell."
Richard spaeketh da truth.
Either job will last longer than a week, so if you want to tackle this, be *sure* you get buy-in amongst the team members that they acknowledge and agree that it will be in a 'torn apart' state for some of your weekend gigs. And I would be sure that it is a team effort, not totally your 'cross to bear', if you will. It wouldn't be hard to lose some friends if not. ;)
Plan B is clearly the 'best' way to do it, but expense isn't as much a concern as the time and mess it will create. I mean big time mess until you get it cleaned up. And even Plan A will make a mess, but you could clean it up somewhat between trips.
And if there are any women involved, well then...
And Rmax would be better than pink stuff - I don't think it's much if any more expensive. |
Buddy Tennison (Buddyten)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 9:05 am: | |
Jerry:
Thanks for the info. What is "Structoglass", and where would we get it? Do we ask for "structoglass" or does it go by any other names?
We saw a bus this weekend of another group in our business. On their ceiling, they had used this material that I have seen on some bathroom walls. Looks like some type of plastic sheet and has a "rough" embossed surface. I have seen it on some commercial bath walls. Just don't know what it is called. Did not get to talk to the owner himself to see what it was. They had used screws with white caps to cover the head. Gave a nice finished look.
Thanks, |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 9:51 am: | |
Re:
"Looks like some type of plastic sheet and has a "rough"
embossed surface. I have seen it on some commercial bath
walls. Just don't know what it is called. "
FRP, fiberglass reinforced plastic, is a composite made from
fiberglass reinforcement in a plastic (polymer) matrix.
http://www.kemlite.com/
Home Depot, Lowes, etc carry it. Usually around $30 per sheet. |
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