What to improve while cabinets are out

[vintagemotion]

Mice resided in my 83 Westy camper cabinets for some years and left a pretty good mess. Even though nothings was chewed I took the sink cabinets out to clean the mess left in places that I could not reach for cleaning. While I have it out I want to take care of some improvements / maintenance :

1.replace insulation behind cabinets – what kind could be used ? Would the house R13 stuff with paper backing work?

2.tread body panel seams from inside to prevent corrosion – I found some good reviews about “fuild-film for rust prevention!

3.replace contact paper in shelfs and wall paneling – has anyone a suggestions where to get the right color/ quality contact paper?

4.The wood under the main area carpet is rotten at the door entrance. I was thinking to use the foam panels from a later model passenger Vanagon instead of the wood- does this work?

Any other suggestions recommendations for what to improve while cabinets are out?
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82 orange Diesel Westy
AHU conversion (mechanical with stock JX pump)
5 Speed ASS
CLK Wheels 215/70/16

[msinabottle]

On the insulation, a lot of folk have suggested block Styrofoam as better than the fiberglass, and not water retaining.

After you've done your seam-fix, I'd use something like Mercury Corrosion Preventative or WaxOyl to forbid oxygen from future rust activity. It's similar to what VW used originally.

I wouldn't replace the contact paper. I'd remove it with a heat gun, every last bit, then paint over the adhesive with something like the Krylon Fusion plastic paint, which will retain the textured look, but won't ever peel again and will laugh at stains and spills.

People have had good results in the compartment removing the wood and carpet and putting in Pergo.

Hope that's helpful!

Best!
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'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[lovedavdubs]

Definitely lay up some sound deadening material. You could run some wiring for future accessories like power inverters etc.
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82 Air-cooled Westy (Lola)...My other vehicle is a subway.

[madspaniard]

[randywebb]

I'm dubious on the added effectiveness of sound deadening, given that any noise has to penetrate thru the cabinets.

the only costs are money & wt. tho
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[madspaniard]

[Vanagon Nut]

Re; insulation. I ripped out the stock insulation from behind the fridge a few years back. Replaced it with layers of bubble wrap and final layer of HardiBacker board. (type of cement board)

Had my Dometic fridge running over the last few days. Temps were high 80's. With van in carport, shaded until afternoon sun, each day I noticed a consistent rise in fridge temps as sun hit the kitchen side of van. I think the insulation is not good enough.

If you camp much in really hot weather, or generally use fridge in hot weather, do your best to properly insulate behind the fridge.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[randywebb]

[madspaniard]

[randywebb]

- that is worthwhile info

- when you say test, did you use measuring equipment, or just "ear-ball" it (subjective)

and, also, had you already done the F doors & slider when you did the cabinet side of the Van?


like I said, the downside is very low
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[DLJ]

I agree with ranywebb. I used bubble with a foil backing and have achieved good inulation and soud deadining results.

[madspaniard]

[Sheesh]

I used ensolite/closed cell. I got it from an upholstery fella who also let me use his glue pot to glue it to the inside panels AND the entire rear floor.

I think it was 3/8", came 48" wide and as long as I wanted it, as it was on a roll.

Cost me less than $100.
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1982 Westy, 2.0L AC CA emissions

[lovedavdubs]

[Noganav T3]

Even a small section of sound deadening material will go a long way. VW put small 1 ft sections of a tar paper like material in the front doors, slider and rear hatch on the most of the late model vans. Anything to not allow the panel to "ring" will help, you dont even have to cover the whole area or a large area a small area in the middle will do wonders. The car stereo stuff works and has a non moisture absorbing foil back.

The insulating bubble foil they sell at home d is fantastic stuff. the foil is a radiant barrier for heat and cold which is beyond normal insulation. it also absorbs no water. Getting away from the fiberglass insulation and and sealing up the boxes outside will probably extend the life of your van for decades. This, and not drilling drain holes for the water that gets into this area was a horrible design flaw for the westy.

Those three plastic boxes have rusted out more westys than you can shake a garden hose at.

[madspaniard]

Randywebb is not questioning effectiveness of sound deadening in general, only in the area just behind cabinets
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[randywebb]

yup

I might do my F & sliding doors this winter. The problem with that side is the effort to pull out all the cabinets, not the cost of materials.
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[randywebb]

[Sheesh]

Takes a bit less than an hour to pull everything out of the back. I know - I've done it a couple of times.

I have an '82 cali rig that spent most of its life in LA area. I still had a little galley rust, mostly surface, that I repaired before it became a problem. I think it was those gaskets rather than the water system, myself.

Of course, it has all (boxes and water system) since been rehabbed.
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1982 Westy, 2.0L AC CA emissions

[randywebb]

thx for the time est. - I'll bump that up my to do list a bit
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.