Quote: Originally posted by Dch75 on 09/9/2011
Have you sorted it out? I did mine today.
Not yet, its well and truely covered at the moment due to the weather, have been drying the van out for over a week now, though it seems to be a dry as its going to get now !
Next job on the list is to treat the wood to some ronseal, then as soon as the weather is ok, do the awning rail... i want to make sure the water ingress is fixed before putting any boading back in etc.
From that picture, whats peoples oppinion on the roof ? that part where it seems to be cut short, it really is very short, there is hardly any overlap there at all.
Not quite sure on the best way forward with that ?
Looking at your picture There does not look to be any staples either, I took all my old ones out lifted the ally slightly cleaned it out put some seamseal right inside then re-stapled it in different positions, Where it is short you could always mark the nearest positions either side where you know the screw from the awning rail will hit the ally and drill some new holes this should keep it tight.
If you can get to the wood by treating it with ronseal would it not be better to replace it. When I started mine I was daunted by what could be ahead but after seeing inside and the build quality anything that is done by you ,me or any other person fixing there own van is going to be 100% better than it was.
If your worried about the screws biting into the wood use longer ones I took out 20mm screws half of them just fell out I think the only thing holding my rail on was the glue stuff the previous person bodged it with I have replaced them with 45mm screws and it is tight now.
I reckon i will just about to be able to get to the wood with a brush ! there is no way i can get to it to remove/replace it, not with out tearing the front out as well, and possably the whole wardrobe and a good portion of roof, tbh, its not going to fall apart or anything, its still strong enough, so abit of ronseal on a brush should make it last a good while longer
Regards to the screws, all the ones i took out where fine, still seemed to bite ok, though many where different lengths (presumably from a previous repair..
The roof skin has the occaisional tack nail holding it in place, i think all i can do is lift it and put some sealant in there as you suggest.
Yes you are probably right as I only seen 'Brake & Clutch' on the large tin so it probably was cleaner and not fluid. Please accept my apologies for that.
Yes you are probably right as I only seen 'Brake & Clutch' on the large tin so it probably was cleaner and not fluid. Please accept my apologies for that.
No need to apologies for that ! the tip was usefull..
I have just been outside cleaning up the rail itself, and i can tell you that brake and clutch cleaner is just as good as white spirit, and doesnt leave a film afterwords either, it also helps that i have a few tins courtesy of BMW
I have just had another revalation too, that god awfull glue.... it softens with heat, still horrid stuff but all that pain in the backside scrapeing will be massifly reduced as once heated you can wipe the majority off !
We are going to put the kids to bed and have another bash for an hour or two
I take it you have a hairdryer on it, if not it might help?
Been out there with a heat gun
I have cleaned up the rail itself, that was easy.. the rubbers that go either side of it took ages !
We have done a small patch of the van just now, its looking much better there now, noted some water under there, not sure if its condensation or my duct tape and bags not doing there job too well.. either way, its a sign to get a shift on i think.
Also, found one very obvious point of water entry, couple of pics
have a good look at lawrance website,he,s helpfull and done a good job on his van.
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Topic: Resealing awning rails, whats this glue ?
