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Caravan Floor Repair
Before I decided to do this I read many other peoples descriptions on
how they did this but couldn’t find any with Photographs, which helps a
lot IMO. So I decided to take some pictures as I went along.
When I bought the Caravan in February 2006 there was a small bit
of Delamination in front of the Cooker. I wasn’t to bothered
about it at the time but as the season went on other bits of
Delamination began to appear.
Both in the dining area the dressing room outside the toilet. I
then had to purchase acquire all of the bits I would need.
First a trip to my local Caravan shop to buy an Apollo
delamination kit, this is a two part epoxy material cost of
£31.50.
Next was to buy four lengths of 9mm doweling at £1.99 each.
I also managed to get some of the other things I would need, I
managed to borrow from work some 25Kgs weights, Proper paint
mixing containers from work to ensure I got the right mix, not
that this was difficult, a two to one ratio, and a large shrink
wrap bag to cut up to lay over the repair while it cured.
Equipment I used
n9MM Dowels
nApollo Delamination Kit
n20Ml Syringes
nSmall Screw driver with the tip bent over
nDevilbis Measuring containers.
nGloves
nPolythene
n25Kgs weights
The first thing was to get the caravan up on
ramps and tape and brace the floor
Once the Carpet was removed I then had to decide the spacing and size of the holes. I decided on 9mm holes with 10cm spacing
I drilled the first hole using a Hand drill with a 6mm bit to find the
depth of the floor.
I then set up a cordless drill with a 9mm bit with a drill stop. And
proceeded to drill the holes
Over 200 holes were drilled. I probably went a little overboard but I
wanted to make sure I didn’t miss any.
Adding the Apollo Mix When I bought the Apollo I was told it cures in 10 Minutes. If
it is done when it is around 5oc
it will take a lot longer then 10 Minutes.
I mixed it up at two parts A, (Large tin) to one part B (Small
Tin) I mixed up around 100 ML at a time, and gave it a thorough
mixing.
I then filled the syringe
and proceeded to pour it into the holes. I filled one row of
holes and then I went back to the first hole and started topping
them up.
This is where the small screw driver with the bent over tip
was used, it was inserted into each hole in turn and pulled up
the top layer of ply slightly away from the insulation to allow
the epoxy to flow better between the ply and insulation. I then
topped the holes up once more and inserted a 9mm Dowel in each
tapping it in lightly with a hammer. I did this until I had
covered the first marked out area.
The Weighting (Waiting on it to cure) This is when the Polythene was laid over the dowels and
strips of wood laid in between and weights placed over
this
I then decided I had done enough for one day and didn’t
want to rush my first attempt.
The First Test Curiosity got to me so after about four hours I had a look to see
how it was curing.
Remember this is meant to cure in
ten minutes.
I had a touch test of the epoxy that had overflowed out of the
dowels………
I almost needed a change of underwear it was still wet.?
I left it well alone and all night it went through my head, had I
knackered up the mix? Or was the Apollo out of date?
Next morning I had another look and to my relief it had cured. It
was then left for another 24 Hours
Cured Dowels
Sanding back
After I was satisfied it was cured I used a belt sander to sand back the
protruding dowels
Finish
I just repeated this with the other areas and at this moment I Just have
to go and but a new carpet and lay this.
I have to be honest and say this wasn’t done entirely by myself I had a
friend help and assistance of Allan Bell he was the one lying
under a damp caravan fixing the bracing etc. ( I Was too fat and stiff
:-P )
I hope I have covered most things, if anyone who reads this has any
questions etc, you can contact me at
Please put Delamination in the subject line or I will just delete it, as
I do not open Emails I do not recognise from this address.
Thanks and I hope this is of some help to you.
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