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View Full Version : LOTS of pics- RV update... not CW related but thought y'all might be interested



lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:23 AM
We purchased a motorhome last November and have been working to upgrade certain parts of it before our upcoming "travel around the US" year-long trip starting this fall. I thought some of you might like to see some of our "in progress" pics.

before... an empty space above the door

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11305531024x7682_zps8de61c35.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11305531024x7682_zps8de61c35.jpg.html)

after- new TV on an articulating locking arm (we still need to hard wire everything in)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P1130554_zps67db73e6.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P1130554_zps67db73e6.jpg.html)


Before and after pics of the hardware (there were about 250 individual hinges, handles, hooks, etc) I sandblasted each piece, primed them, painted them with satin nickel finish, and then topcoated with lacquer.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403141024x7682_zpsd5bba557.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403141024x7682_zpsd5bba557.jpg.html)

Yes, I'm even anal enough that I did the same process on the screw heads
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403171024x7682_zpsbd109f0c.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403171024x7682_zpsbd109f0c.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:24 AM
here's about a quarter of the pieces... we worked in batches
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403181024x7682_zpse9a22034.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403181024x7682_zpse9a22034.jpg.html)

we mounted the towing attachments onto LOML's new car (and saved about $1500 doing it ourselves with help from some folks with both advice and assistance)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11402951024x7682_zpsf70b5ea6.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11402951024x7682_zpsf70b5ea6.jpg.html)
and here it is headed out for its first ride
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11402941024x7682_zpse8cc3a5e.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11402941024x7682_zpse8cc3a5e.jpg.html)

There was originally a wardrobe and tv at the end of the bedroom
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/richards725.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/richards725.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:25 AM
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/richards9271024x768_zps43d14a40.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/richards9271024x768_zps43d14a40.jpg.html)

nice as it was, we tore it out
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/IMG_20130406_145923_zpsd8401925.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/IMG_20130406_145923_zpsd8401925.jpg.html)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11404951024x768_zpscc30478f.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11404951024x768_zpscc30478f.jpg.html)

The wall between the bathroom and bedroom wasn't quite long enough or sturdy enough to hold the bunk beds we are building for this spot
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11405021024x768_zps9cc863b7.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11405021024x768_zps9cc863b7.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:26 AM
so we tore it out, extended it, and replaced some of the 1x4s with 2x4s to add some strength.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405031024x768_zpsee38370e.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405031024x768_zpsee38370e.jpg.html)
we also doubled the thickness of the ply for the skin
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405341024x768_zps264b9547.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405341024x768_zps264b9547.jpg.html)
The sink before was white, plastic, and had a really poorly constructed faucet. The countertops were a dingy color as well.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/richards624.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/richards624.jpg.html)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403741024x768_zps9279641a.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11403741024x768_zps9279641a.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:27 AM
After priming and painting we also adjusted the electrical outlets so each bunk will have one. I also added a 12v power source for each bunk for charging electronics.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11405521024x768_zps80e2dc54.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11405521024x768_zps80e2dc54.jpg.html)

We used rustoleum countertop transformations on them and they turned out much nicer (with some additional effort above and beyond the "out of box" standard)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11403431024x7682_zps9e1522be.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11403431024x7682_zps9e1522be.jpg.html)

They even look better with a new sink and faucet
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11405581024x768_zpse9787b36.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11405581024x768_zpse9787b36.jpg.html)

For the bathroom, the shower is getting a new white epoxy coat and the gold trim for the shower is being sandblasted and painted satin nickel.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/richards121.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/richards121.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:29 AM
The original sink was yellowed badly and the faucet was pretty bad too so we re-epoxied the sink and added a new shower along with a re-surfaced countertop.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405591024x768_zps4de08218.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405591024x768_zps4de08218.jpg.html)

We moved all of the switches (lights, AC control, slide) to the bathroom side of the wall so that they won't interfere with the bunk bed additions. The switches are also now straight (before they looked like the person that installed them had one leg shorter than the other...they were very crooked)

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405551024x768_zps8c317268.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11405551024x768_zps8c317268.jpg.html)

All the walls are getting a wash, a TSP treatment, a prime with shellac based primer, and then painted. We are also removing all the top and bottom trim and are replacing it with painted trim.

Here is the wallpaper before....
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11404961024x768_zps488c7723.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11404961024x768_zps488c7723.jpg.html)

Here's a pretty lady doing a TSP treatment
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11404991024x768_zps8d2923df.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade%20pics/P11404991024x768_zps8d2923df.jpg.html)

lawrence
06-03-2013, 12:30 AM
After priming, the walls are much cleaner looking (the paint is an off white... There is enough wood to keep the decor looking interesting so an off white seemed a much better color than the grey.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11405401024x768_zps930cbbc3.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11405401024x768_zps930cbbc3.jpg.html)

Finally, my beautiful wife began recovering the cushions... from this
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11404921024x768_zps47926d3e.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11404921024x768_zps47926d3e.jpg.html)
To this
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u313/ldr_klr/rv/upgrade pics/P11404901024x768_zps1ce22a65.jpg (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/ldr_klr/media/rv/upgrade pics/P11404901024x768_zps1ce22a65.jpg.html)

The fabric is a non-bleeding fabric that is appropriate for upholstery but we also are treating the fabric with both a stain guard (scotchguard) and a flame retardant.

We still have quite a bit more to do (more sandblasting and epoxy for the shower and surround, a lot more painting, recovering the captains chairs, adding the bunk beds and storage, and making a new dining room table) but we are trucking along and making our home-to-be as comfortable as we can.

Thanks for looking and I'd be happy to answer any questions and welcome supportive (or even non-supportive!) comments.

V/r
Lawrence

Geomoo1
06-03-2013, 12:41 AM
All I can say is WOW! You guys are way more ambitious than the average DIY'er. Great job so far and good luck with future improvements.

aokweld101
06-03-2013, 12:45 AM
a year long trip? your living my dream.. you will have to tell us the places you go and see..the only thing that is wrong is that you don't have the carvewight going with you....{ oops i was'nt thinking its a well deserved vacation} nice job on the Rv trailor!

aokweld101
06-03-2013, 12:49 AM
oh, one more thing...she ain't doing all the work? ...is she?...lol

easybuilt
06-03-2013, 12:49 AM
Looking good Lawrence! Thanks for sharing the picts. I thought it was ready to go when you bought it, nice upgrades. We are looking forward to you attending our users group meeting in Washington.

badbert
06-03-2013, 01:04 AM
Looking good Lawrence! Shouldn't this be the beginning of the Blog? Oh and word of advice... don't try to backup with that tow bar! The caster in the front end of the van, will cause the wheels to turn and fold under, It is not a trailer! Don't ask me how I know this... Let's just say, that a friend with a frame machine, can come in very handy! LOL Keep us posted!

dehrlich
06-03-2013, 06:57 AM
Awesome project! Would love to do what you are doing. Of course I would have to find the LOML first, thought I had but she found someone with more money haha. Anyway I hope it continues to go awesome for you. If you go through central Kansas, drop by and say hi!

rcdages
06-03-2013, 08:21 AM
That is looking wonderful Lawrence.

Bigtyme
06-03-2013, 08:44 AM
You are really doing a super job, Lawrence. The add-ons look great. I am sure all the extra efforts will mean a comfortable trip for you and your bride. What a great way to see the country....

Smoken D
06-03-2013, 12:16 PM
Really coming out great! From the photo's we all can see which one is doing all the work:lol: One question I had is how well and easy was the rustoleum countertop transformation? I have been looking at that and thinking about using it on our old counter top. Now I can ask someone who has used the product and just what was the extra work put into it?

Digitalwoodshop
06-03-2013, 12:24 PM
Impressive !!!! Such QUALITY work.... Living the DREAM....

Good Luck,

AL

SharonB
06-03-2013, 03:38 PM
Wow! That is/was a lot of extra work but I know you'll enjoy it once you start your adventure. You must have a wonderful wife if she can still smile after you make her work so hard.

Underdog
06-03-2013, 03:57 PM
Thanks for the update. Isn't your CarveWright coming with you though?

lawrence
06-03-2013, 04:50 PM
Thanks all- I really do appreciate the comments (they help keep my motivation up!)

I really did hit the wife jackpot... she's an amazing wife and mother to our two boys and has no problem getting her hands dirty. I think we make a pretty good team (though she obviously is way out of my league)

smoken- I give the rustoleum product 3 stars, but the company 5. Out of the box, the product itself did not live up to my expectations. When I called rustoleum to ask for some solutions (rough finish etc) they were great, gave me a full refund, and helped me correct the issues I was having (the humidity here was too low and it cured too quickly) with some additional elbow grease I was able to fix the finish to our satisfaction. I do recommend the product but it does take a bit of work for sure. A good random orbit sander is a must IMHO.

We do plan to try to bring the Carvewright if I can get it dust-free enough to put in the back of LOMLs car. We have plenty of electrical power and the car would deaden the noise... more to come if I'm sucessful on this front... :)

Lawrence

Smoken D
06-03-2013, 06:28 PM
Thanks Lawrence. May just work for me. Live where it is 50-80% Humidity on the norm:(