Scratches on wind River counter top

[ORVPDMAN]

Originally Posted by wthesing

From what I gather, by description, the new tops would be a solid surface veneer (SSV). This is a poor mans version of solid surface material such as Corian, or Avonite. True solid surface would be too dense & heavy for RV use. The down side of SSV is that it is prone to cracking & delamination over time, due to the expansion & contraction coefficients of the SSV, and the substrate it is glued to. Wilsonart came out with the 1st version of SSV about 15 years ago. It was pulled from the market a year later due to too many problems. Just my $.02, and keep your eyes peeled on this material over the future. I would never use it for residential countertops.

It is a true solid surface material. It is quite heavy. It is just like the Corian brand material. If you cut a section of it it is the same material all the way thru. It is not a veneer or lamination of multiple materials. This is why I say that repairing scratches can be done by sanding and polishing. This cannot be done with imitation look-a-like tops. If you get out and about to the rv shows you will see that many rv manufacturers are using (and have been for several year) a true solid surface top...the same material that would be used residentially. I worked with Corian brand tops at Fleetwood over 20 years ago.

[ORVPDMAN]

Originally Posted by Highway 4x4

As I recall, the new tops in the ORV TT's are a solid hard material like some of those found at Home Depot. They are light weight and designed for the RV industry. I did a net search on them once but now cannot remember the Mfg, Cuz I don't have it in my TT!!!

It is heavy...as it is the real deal stuff.

[Highway 4x4]

Originally Posted by ORVPDMAN

It is a true solid surface material. It is quite heavy. It is just like the Corian brand material. If you cut a section of it it is the same material all the way thru. It is not a veneer or lamination of multiple materials. This is why I say that repairing scratches can be done by sanding and polishing. This cannot be done with imitation look-a-like tops. If you get out and about to the rv shows you will see that many rv manufacturers are using (and have been for several year) a true solid surface top...the same material that would be used residentially. I worked with Corian brand tops at Fleetwood over 20 years ago.

Thank you for pointing out that I have a "imitation look-a-like top". It's a shame I missed the true solid surface top, the type that many RV manufacturers have used for many years, in my luxury line Wind River.

[Lac]

Highway...Idaho Bob is building a new home...talk to him to to see if he will order another 6 to 8 feet of counter tops for his new kitchen. You can buy it from him and then you can install it at the campout. I might even help..I'll take the dog for a walk!!
No more whining....

Coops

[Highway 4x4]

OK, I am over it...................for now.

[oh oh]

If he gets good maybe he can do ours

[Lac]

Originally Posted by Highway 4x4

OK, I am over it...................for now.

just think...if you bought a Fleetwood product 20 years ago....you would still have Corian counter tops and you wouldn't need to have buy your new Windriver with the " lookalike" artificial semi solid counter tops.

Coops

[Highway 4x4]

Just have it Rhino Lined, it's the real deal. LOL. That stuff is tough.

[oh oh]

That's a good one

[wthesing]

FWIW, Solid surface veneer is a thinner version of solid surface material. Standard solid surface is 1/2" thick. The veneers are + - 1/8" thick. It is not multiple layers of anything else. The problem with it is exactly what I mentioned, and whether it is veneer or full thickness it is very brittle. I have been a certified fabricator & installer of every brand out there.

Bill

[wthesing]

Highway,

You don't even want to think about using full thickness solid surface in your RV. It will not hold up to the vibration of travel, and will crack. In residential use, edges are built up to 1 1/2", then machined. The middle is laid out on a hardwood grid for support. The veneer was designed for looks, but adhered to a substrate, such as plywood or MDF. This will absorb more flex, but is poor on impact. Both versions have a high expansion & contraction coefficient. It must be allowed to expand or contract, otherwise it will crack. For residential install, silicone is used to adhere to the wood grid. For veneer, a high solids contact cement should be used so that there is some give. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING HOT ON IT !!!! Use a trivet. When it cracks, it sounds like a gun shot.

[IdahoBob]

Originally Posted by Lac

Highway...Idaho Bob is building a new home...talk to him to to see if he will order another 6 to 8 feet of counter tops for his new kitchen. You can buy it from him and then you can install it at the campout. I might even help..I'll take the dog for a walk!!
No more whining....

Coops

Our new home will have an attached RV barn. I'm thinking we don't need a kitchen in the house. We can just go to the barn and use our cheapo laminated fake Corian countertops.

Bob

[ORVPDMAN]

1/2" thick - yes!
1" edge - yes!
Supported by cabinet frame work, partitions, etc. - yes!
CNC machine routed.

It has been used successfully in the RV industry for years.

[oh oh]

Thanks, ORVPDMAN