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Advice on 1/8 Ply.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:25 am
by TomW
Has anyone used 1/8 ply with vinyl covering on one side? This type of plywood/paneling is used in the "mobile home/trailer" industry for paneling and cabinet covering.

I was wondering about using this material for the outer roof, using two layers with the vinyl side being down.

I have tried using a heat gun to remove the vinyl covering and even when I could get the covering to pull loose, some of the plywood grain came with the covering.

Would exposure to the sun cause the vinyl to release from the wood??

Any suggestions/advice/warnings??

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:48 am
by Juneaudave
Will the glue stick to that vinyl? I've never used that ply, but inability for the glue to adhere might cause an unintended problem for you.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:03 am
by Arne
sounds to me like you're looking for trouble to save a few bucks...

Can you face it down on the first layer, probably.... if you put a second layer on top, I wouldn't use it for the second layer...

If you are putting it on, then putting insul over it, ok..

I think if all you are using is the 2 layers with no insul, even the inside layer would peel after several years of the sun beating down on the roof.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:12 am
by madjack
Tom, what are you planning on covering it with???...if skinning the camper in aluminum, you could probably use it and could probably get away with just one sheet...personally, I would be real leery of using it.....
madjack 8)

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:59 am
by Classic Finn
I know of the exact type of ply your talking about or paneling... I would say dont... that stuff peels real fast when it gets damp...or moisture..

I have a sheets or 2 of it and I wouldnt if I were you..

Classic Finn

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:39 am
by Miriam C.
Tom are you planning to use the vinyl as a ceiling? It seems a waste of material if used for any other reason. :thinking:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:52 am
by TomW
I was planning on using a single layer on the interior walls and ceiling. Insulation next then using two sheets for the outer roof.

I have tried bending the 1/4 - 5mm Luan around the 18" radius and it just seems very stiff. I can make the radius (18"), Generic Benroy, but it seems awful stiff. I am worried about the outer roof pulling out.

Am I worrying about something I should not be worrying about?

As for covering, I plan to paint with Blue Water Marine paint, unless I can find a deal on Alum, or Steel. Right now I am going with the paint.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:08 pm
by bobhenry
TomW wrote:I was planning on using a single layer on the interior walls and ceiling. Insulation next then using two sheets for the outer roof.


Am I worrying about something I should not be worrying about?



As an experiment what would happen if a builder were to totally enclose a sheet of the luan in a black plastic sheet with some water and having pre wet the sheet thoroughly. I think about 4 hours in the hot sun and it would bend like a pretzel. has anyone tried ??? Tom what if as a case study you did the same thing with one of your vinyl panels to see what heat and moisture will do to the product.

I'm am an "if ya got it use it" kinda guy. If the vinyl is face to face inside the roof who cares if it peels it's got no place to go and you could fiberglass the bare wood back just like everyone else. This forum is just one giant lab experiment anyway. Hell I'm sheeting mine in 3/16 lexan and I have heard it won't work. I'll let them know one way or the other when we get back from the planned Florida trip in October. I know one thing I won't be scared of hail storms like them purty shiney aluminum ones are.
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