1966 Viscount Ambassador 20' E2340

[Deleted]

I used the reflective/insulation coat in my old motorhome and in a shipping container roof where I stored goods while I was building in Qld.
The effectiveness of this paint which becomes like a membrane it is excellent.
I was able to get inside the container and touch the roof without burning my hands thing that was impossible to do in the sides where the paint was not applied.
It worth every cent!

[atefooterz]

Great point, the thermo coatings have replaced all those nice water barrier types in commercial and the last few years filtering onto homes. A mate does roofs in Adelaide where the competition still mucks around blasting "dangerous" lichen off and apply a glossy latex acrylic, his product reduces cooling and heating bills so now after 5 years they are starting to coat over folks near new coatings that allows heat/cold, where they rejected his companies quote earlier but have neighbours/ mates that used the good stuff and now want it.

[tasmillard]

Started working on the hatch, so first thing is to yet again remove the hatch base. I am thinking of doing it in two sections, get the base re-build and put back in, then focus on the hatch lid.  So far the idea is to make the hatch out of a nice hardwood (like tassie oak) and stain it darkish... keeping a bit of a marine feel to it.

Part 1:

[Deleted]

Good job, here at home , 5 km from your place was raining on and off all day. I never expected that you was going to work on the van.
As a suggestion, I would give a thought of making the new frame using aluminium extrusions(rectangle tubing). It will not expensive and easy to fabricate.

[tasmillard]

I started when we had the sun come out. Its also a one person job anyway due to space. I want to stick with hardwood for that softer warmer look for the hatch frame.

[atefooterz]

Oct 1, 2016 20:28:58 GMT 10 tasmillard said:

I started when we had the sun come out. Its also a one person job anyway due to space. I want to stick with hardwood for that softer warmer look for the hatch frame.

A lot of top knotch modern marine look is exotic timbers laminated over alum or carbon fibre! All the visual joys of craftsmanship with the strength and no rot! I wish i had a flash as a great pic did not turn out, on a mega yacht hatch surround, with walnut & mountain ash pinstripes detail over carbon.

[tasmillard]

haha - thaat piece alone would be more expensive than the caravan. Given marine environment its not surprising but with caravans it should be ok with varnished hardwood.

[78466noM]

I like your idea of a hardwood frame it will look good and much easier to put together than aluminum. that is if you could get the right profiles in aluminum to make the frame . The timber looks like it interlocks the joints and for the design to last this long looks like it was only water that damaged it and not stress.

[tasmillard]

Another sunny day, another opportunity to do some work.  This time we took to a window, removal, cleaning and re-install.  I took a vid of how we did this, very similar to the Millard one with some additional work.  I went for a more detailed vid, and this is how we will do the rest.  Also, its an example of why I prefer cartridge over tape, but its a preference.  I also used plenty of mastic to ensure it gets good penetration and coverage.

[Deleted]

Good job, one step at the time because the weather does not help. To risky to do 2 windows in the same day.

[tasmillard]

Trying to get work done during the week night to speed up the project. Last night I removed the rear all ply that surrounds the rear window. I wanted to replace anyway but its just as well that I did as I discovered more dead ants and eggs to clean up. It also gives me access to the frame for when I pull the cladding out with the window re-seal. Seems I am just pulling more and more apart...

[Deleted]

Just wonder if this will turn up as a big job...........
The good thing is that when finish will be a very nice van indeed.

[tasmillard]

The thing is that these are big sheets, so I think the rebuild will be quick and I kept the back sheet intact to use as a template. I prefer to take a little longer and to do this now than to later think I should have removed it. It all is in the back section anyway, and in future ill do the front.

[78466noM]

If you are going to repair or replace that section or even insulate it and it makes the other work you have at the back easier and faster as you said it makes sense to do it now rather than later. I am looking forward to just maintenance and the odd mechanical job to be done on van it is so much easier to pump grease into the bearings and shackles and adjust brakes it may get electric brakes later just waiting to see how the new 9inch brakes work first but that is an easy change over as the backing plates will now bolt strait on. You said you didn't have as much as me to do I still think you do we just have different things to get done keep up the good work in the end it is there for you and your family to enjoy and make lasting memories.

[Rattles]

While you have the Internal linings off and if the Earth return for the External Lights is the Caravan Frame run in an Earth Multiple from light to light and back to the start (Trailer Connector).

This will ensure a good earth return circuit and by looping back to the trailer connector it will take two faults to cause problems.

Rattles

[78466noM]

Oct 6, 2016 12:52:13 GMT 10 Rattles said:

While you have the Internal linings off and if the Earth return for the External Lights is the Caravan Frame run in an Earth Multiple from light to light and back to the start (Trailer Connector).

This will ensure a good earth return circuit and by looping back to the trailer connector it will take two faults to cause problems.

Rattles

 Excellent idea Rattles if you hadn't thought of it already.  Most problems in running lights are earth problems in old trailers. My 3 year old box trailer was also wired only earth was to ground that was fixed by me early on still not completely happy with it so it is on a list of things to get done and earth problems can be tricky find and sort out in confined spaces like van walls    

[tasmillard]

I do have access to the back lights now and I just replaced them. Ill have a look at how I can create a backup earth from the lights as you suggested.

Cheers,

[Mustang]

Good Progress, can you imagine removing that window frame if it had been siliconed/Sikaflexed?

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2016 20:21:12 GMT 10 Mustang said:

Good Progress, can you imagine removing that window frame if it had been siliconed/Sikaflexed?

That it is what I disagree.
If marine Sikaflex was used there will be no need to pull apart the window frame.
The only reason can be a damage caused by accident and that will be the problem of the insurance repair in my case. 
I like to do the job only once and do not think that I have to do it in 5 years time if the van is used many times a year and in not very smooth roads.

[tasmillard]

Oct 7, 2016 20:21:12 GMT 10 Mustang said:

Good Progress, can you imagine removing that window frame if it had been siliconed/Sikaflexed?

It would be a challenge to say the least!  Thinking about it, the only way would be to slice it using a thin sharp knife else thee would be no way.  Of course if one is removing due to damage then perhaps taking it out without worrying about damage would be slightly easier.

I went with the mastic on the viscount to give me more options, although yes it is a maintenance job in years to come.

[78466noM]

With the earth find a hole from outside to inside frame you may have to make one a small hole use white wire to keep it color coded join to one light and daisy chain it to the others outside clearance lights on rear as well if you can then run wire under chassis to trailer connection this will give you a solid earth. when you do the front you can add earths to those clearance lights just solder them to the earth wire you already have put in under van from rear.

have fun your van is looking fantastic.

[Mustang]

Oct 8, 2016 11:11:35 GMT 10 78466noM said:

With the earth find a hole from outside to inside frame you may have to make one a small hole use white wire to keep it color coded join to one light and daisy chain it to the others outside clearance lights on rear as well if you can then run wire under chassis to trailer connection this will give you a solid earth. when you do the front you can add earths to those clearance lights just solder them to the earth wire you already have put in under van from rear.

have fun your van is looking fantastic.

This is similar to our method.
For all the exterior lights, we ran separate earths back to the chassis, drilled, screwed & painted.

[tasmillard]

Well, what a day!  We slogged it out for at least 6 hours to get the rear window and cladding done.  Its still not 100% complete, in fact the top window doesnt fit the frame hinge so we had to mod it somewhat.  So in future ill look at replacing that.  Aside from that, it went well, get the back cleaned up now, no more paint and crap on there.

[tasmillard]

Window reseal has worked a treat. No more leaks from there. The other side rear window which i havent done yet shows a trickle of water down the cladding inside, so thats next on the list. Means ill have the back sealed ready to place the ply.

[Deleted]

The wind it is so strong (up to 106KPH going by BOM) that made the Franklin shake and one of the windows opened a bit!!
No water go in because is on the protected side.
I have to do something with the louver in the door, it let humid and cold air coming inside.