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Topic: Freedom refit/restoration

Hoover

25/11/2014 at 11:24pm
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Hi, we've just purchased out Freedom van and we intend to replace all the saggy interior! We've got the samples of Veltrim and received the sealant today from the glue people, HS40 to reseal the van, I've used this product on a number of projects and have always been very pleased with the results.
Plan of attack as follows:
Reseal and replace all screws with stainless, replace D trim
Remove all interior fittings and saggy coverings
wait for rainy day and recheck for leaks
remove all foam and glue, recheck for leaks and repair fibreglass as required.
Then and only then start recovering the van.
Oh been thinking on using Fablon to recover cabinets so as to update the interior a little, anyone used this method before?

glittering-prize

26/11/2014 at 12:01am
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I would not use fablon,with temp changes and humidity in a van i think it will bubble and peel very quickly.What about formica,vast range and not heavy.Its a bit fiddly glueing it and filing all edges smooth but hard wearing ,easy to clean and lasts forever.I use formica a lot when i restore old machines and its good.You must use evo stick though.

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i dont sell cheap tat.I sell tat cheap

kaspa1972

26/11/2014 at 12:24am
Location: Chester
Outfit: Adria Optima 440B

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Hi Hoover,

I've relined my freedom sunseeker this year, also with veltrim. I put foil insulation under the veltrim (the bubble type with foil on either side). Not sure if it does much to insulate the van but it provides a nice even surface for the carpet to stick to. I took all the furniture out of mine, which was a pain but it made the relining much easier.

I used fablon to cover the fridge door which had been spray painted yellow! and also to cover some ply I used to replace the bottom door of the wardrobe when I put an electric plinth heater in (I took the old gas heater out but didn't want to cut a hole in the original door in case someone wanted to re-instate it in the future). It looks ok but I don't know whether I would use it to recover all the cabinets as I think it's very noticeable that it's been covered. Instead of the cabinets I updated the seat covers / curtains with a modern fabric and fitted new vinyl flooring.

I see that your resealing the van. Have you got signs of water ingress? If you have its worth checking the condition of the ply floor and the softwood bearers underneath. I had to replace the floor on mine and two of the bearers (nearest the front and nearest the back)as they were crumbling after getting wet. I also replaced the bolts fixing the body of the van to the chassis as they were pretty corroded too. My leaks were coming from the marker lights on the front, the main light clusters on the rear and the 240V inlet housing.

Hope this helps and enjoy refurbing your freedom. There was plenty of swearing and head scratching when I did mine but overall I enjoyed it and the(nearly)end result was worth it.

By the way, the foam backing on the original lining is horrible horrible stuff. Make sure you get as much off as you can as it sticks to everything (except the roof!). I'm still finding bits months later!

Sean

HEJC72

26/11/2014 at 11:13am
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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I used fablon to cover my cupboard doors.
Went on very easily, with no bubbling or peeling off. It is a quick, easy and cheap way to update your caravan interior.

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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum

Hoover

26/11/2014 at 7:02pm
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Many thanks for the replys, not checked for water ingress yet but given theage and state of the lining I'd say it was a good guess lol. I may recover Cabinets using vynil wrap fabric as I've used it before, is uv stable, is also very good in hot/cold changes and the colours available, plus can get adhesion promoter to help with the edges. I had the pleasure of resealing a Swift Kontiki years ago so this little van should be easy lol. Ordered pvc insert for the aluminium trims today and got the samples of veltrim, did not know they made 12 colours? I'll put photos up at the weekend

Hoover

02/12/2014 at 8:01pm
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Well all the cupboards and beds are out, in the process of resealing the lights, mind you the external seams seem to be in good order which is good news and the cushions are in good condition and dont smell damp. Ikea Wednesday to have a look at material. Oh ordered solar panel, control and battery all for £80 :) 24watts of free electricity.

Hoover

27/1/2015 at 10:48pm
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Well Veltrim is in and was easier than I thought? Started with the smalll panels under the windows and left the big ones till last. When I did the larger wall I glued the base first and worked my way up the panel the full length spraying around a foot wide all the way and then fixing it in place. I masked the window seal and window and trimmed it to fit before I trimmed the top.
I replaced the floor covering as well with lino which saved trying to keep it clean from the endless foam dust! Oh before fitting the veltrim I sanded all the walls with 60 grit to key the surface and remove any stubborn bits
All I would say is remove all the interior, it makes your life so much easier and for the sake of 20 odd screws and 6 bolts...
Oh if you do want to take it all out , invest in a quality screwdriver not a B&Q special

Post last edited on 27/01/2015 22:58:23

Post last edited on 27/01/2015 23:08:11

Hoover

27/1/2015 at 10:58pm
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Success, user error lol

Post last edited on 27/01/2015 23:08:45

Hoover

27/1/2015 at 11:03pm
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Hoover

27/1/2015 at 11:05pm
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Hoover

27/1/2015 at 11:15pm
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And this is how it started, and this was the good side! Can be expected for 26 years of sunlight I suppose...

Hoover

27/1/2015 at 11:27pm
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Updates galore tonight, in the process of fitting led strip lighting, brought 5metres for £3.99 lol and shines from red through to white light, a bit fiddly but well worth it. Using it as uplighting and fixing it to the upper part of the shelving with a metal backing. If you use led light strips always have a metal backing as they do get rather hot! I've got strips of stainless bent at 90 degrees to give a channel. Thiss will go all round the van and works off 12 volt and only draws 2 amps which gives me 30 hours minimum without recharging, also brought a usb charging dock for phones still got to sort out the solar panel as the post office lost it! but paypal refunded me and ive not got around to reordering one. 240 volt wiring this weekend coming, wish me luck.....

Hoover

04/4/2015 at 11:49am
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Well it is finally finished. All leds are working solar panel and control fitted

I will answer any questions regarding the refit and try to help. I will post more photos, when i remember how i did it last time lol

Freedomfrances

04/7/2016 at 1:43pm
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Wow Hoover, great job!
You seem to have the same model as me, as the lovely stripes cushions are the same and seat configuration looks the same.
I guess I just need to get started!

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