'89 Southwind remodel

[RonS1985]

Hi again, folks! Now that I have my engine woes fixed I'm on to a new project, the interior. I don't really know where to get these things I need so I'm looking for suggestions. I want to replace my kitchen table top and the smaller table behind the passenger seat. I also want to replace my shades. The wife wants Roman shades but trying to find ones that are 16" and 21" is impossible. In the bedroom I have two twin beds. I want to rip them out and put in a nice queen bed. Can you buy them or do you have to custom make your own?

[rlawson]

Don't know about for the coach, but my wife made Roman style shades for the house in one afternoon. She said it was easy. I think she got a Simplicity pattern or something like that.

[PNWGirl]

Making your own is easy. Here is a link, for instructions, on making roman shades from old mini blinds: Little Green Notebook: Make Shades Out of Mini Blinds

Here is a set of video's (four parts)-- on YouTube-- showing you how to make roman shades:

YouTube - ‪Make a Classic Roman Shade Part 1‬‏

They are not difficult and will save you a bucket of money, that you can spend elsewhere.

Sheila

[Senior Chief]

You can certainly rip out your twin beds and build a new short queen, as long as there are no tanks or systems under one or both beds.

The queen frame is just a big divided wooden box with a hinged plywood top, so you can lift it up on gas struts and use the storage underneath. You'll find a regular queen mattress (60"x80") will be too long, so you'll have to get a short or RV queen. (60"x75") mattress. Overstock has one on sale
Some people like Select Comfort; we bought a 6" memory foam from WallyWorld and laid it on top of the old mattress.

As far as table top, try one of the RV salvage places or check ebay; lots of new and used there.

[BigV]

When we did our remodel ('89 Honey) we wanted something that was inexpensive and durable. My neighbor who has helped me quite a bit suggested using standard plywood with glue down laminate.

Here are some pictures:



Total cost of materials was around $100. I paid my neighbor another $100 to build and install. The kitchen counter was surprisingly easy.

[poppatello]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV When we did our remodel ('89 Honey) we wanted something that was inexpensive and durable. My neighbor who has helped me quite a bit suggested using standard plywood with glue down laminate. Here are some pictures: Total cost of materials was around $100. I paid my neighbor another $100 to build and install. The kitchen counter was surprisingly easy.

Thats plywood???

WoW, sweet looking job there...

[RonS1985]

Yeah, I agree. I can't believe that is plywood. Is it 3/4"? Rough or smooth finish?

[Senior Chief]

Its laminate glued down on plywood. Your galley counters are laminate glued on particle board.

[poppatello]

Just never thought of it being that easy...

[ahicks]

The big key to doing a project like this is a router with the correct bit. Once the process is understood, it'll be seen for what it is - not difficult at all for most guys doing their own repair work. What you save on the first project will pay for the router! My advice after a couple of these projects (including the kitchen at home) is to not be stingy with the contact cement and have a good plan (!!!!) for getting the laminate where you want it without letting the contact cement weld it in place prior ro it being in the proper position! That's by far the trickiest step in the process... FWIW

[BigV]

Which is why my neighbor did the counters. He has done enough to know what glue works, the right router bits and technique etc.

The molding/edging is just pine he cut down and stained with Pecan stain. LOTS of clear coat to make sure it is waterproof.

He charged me 4 hrs labor to build and install. I did the sink and stove installs. It was actually fairly simple if you have the right tools. We let the glue on the laminate sit for a few days before touching it. Apparently that is where most people screw up working with laminate. They start trimming too soon.

I'll take some more pictures of how we did the floor and entry steps. I don't have any before pics but just imaging old faded pink carpet stained and frayed. That would be what I started with

[Sunflyer2]

Don't know what kind of glue your nieghbor used,but I have done alot of counters in RV's and homes with solevent based contact cement on both sides.It dries within about 15 min. and once they touch thats where they stay. I use dowel rods to hold them apart and position and pull 1 at a time and roll it down hard. Always have trimmed it right away and haven't been called back in 20 yrs.

[Amahlman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV When we did our remodel ('89 Honey) we wanted something that was inexpensive and durable. My neighbor who has helped me quite a bit suggested using standard plywood with glue down laminate. Here are some pictures: Total cost of materials was around $100. I paid my neighbor another $100 to build and install. The kitchen counter was surprisingly easy.

Wow that looks great!

[Amahlman]

Also just noticed faucet. Is that a standard home faucet or from rv store? I'd love to put in new faucet but being newbie am not sure if it has to be a specific type to fit.