Good afternoon all...
I purchased a 1997 Southwind Storm late last fall. Vehicle is in good shape mechanically, (50K miles, new tires, and battery, and a nice working generator) and I am not looking to rehab the vehicle as an live in RV, but more for a party bus / tailgating vehicle / team building & travel vehicle. My idea is to make it a hybrid that can still be slept in, but also used to move groups on day trips or for camping at state parks. The vehicle sat in a lot for the past couple of years after the owner passed away. It was kept by the owners wife hoping that her kids would want to use it, but none of them really wanted to use it. The son sold it to me for a good price and said he would like to see it brought back to life and create joy for the new owner.
Well, after getting it to my office, I realized that there was more water damage than I thought. The rear of the vehicle is where the majority of it was, but there was also a little bit in the middle of the vehicle by the bathroom and around the windows. I tarped the roof and got to work. I have parted out the microwave, fridge, stove/oven, sofa, bed, cabinets, and dinette - and all unnecessary items that won't be needed for my conversion.
I am now at the point that has stopped me in my tracks. When I started tearing off the wallpaper from the water damage, some came off very easy because it was damaged and some is still very taut. My dilemma is what to do next? Do I (a) try and pull the (luan) wood from all of the foam off of the walls, (b) remove the rotten luan and fill/float with some sort of heavy paint/caulk to make it even, or (c) look to removing all of the foam and the walls and replace?
When I decided to take on this task, my plan was this...
1. Strip Vehicle
2. Demo Vehicle
3. Access Water Damage
4. Dry out vehicle
5. Clean and repair roof with new rubber roll on seal and caulk windows
6. ***Put plan in place to repair walls and floor*** where needed
7. Replace bad wood, paint all other wood with kilz.
8. Put new flooring in where needed.
9. Remove / replace any carpet with waterproof laminate flooring
10. Repair or replace toilet.
11. Put in bench seating throughout the vehicle with possible modular bed in rear
12. Use existing electrical components for new updated LED lighting
13. Remove and replace TV
14. Install nice indoor outdoor sound system with roaming WiFi and satellite components
15. Tune up and hit the road for a test run with family and friends!
I've attached pictures of where I am at currently and would love to know if anyone has tackled this same problem.
I'd love to get on the phone with someone who has done this. Thanks for taking a look.
I purchased a 1997 Southwind Storm late last fall. Vehicle is in good shape mechanically, (50K miles, new tires, and battery, and a nice working generator) and I am not looking to rehab the vehicle as an live in RV, but more for a party bus / tailgating vehicle / team building & travel vehicle. My idea is to make it a hybrid that can still be slept in, but also used to move groups on day trips or for camping at state parks. The vehicle sat in a lot for the past couple of years after the owner passed away. It was kept by the owners wife hoping that her kids would want to use it, but none of them really wanted to use it. The son sold it to me for a good price and said he would like to see it brought back to life and create joy for the new owner.
Well, after getting it to my office, I realized that there was more water damage than I thought. The rear of the vehicle is where the majority of it was, but there was also a little bit in the middle of the vehicle by the bathroom and around the windows. I tarped the roof and got to work. I have parted out the microwave, fridge, stove/oven, sofa, bed, cabinets, and dinette - and all unnecessary items that won't be needed for my conversion.
I am now at the point that has stopped me in my tracks. When I started tearing off the wallpaper from the water damage, some came off very easy because it was damaged and some is still very taut. My dilemma is what to do next? Do I (a) try and pull the (luan) wood from all of the foam off of the walls, (b) remove the rotten luan and fill/float with some sort of heavy paint/caulk to make it even, or (c) look to removing all of the foam and the walls and replace?
When I decided to take on this task, my plan was this...
1. Strip Vehicle
2. Demo Vehicle
3. Access Water Damage
4. Dry out vehicle
5. Clean and repair roof with new rubber roll on seal and caulk windows
6. ***Put plan in place to repair walls and floor*** where needed
7. Replace bad wood, paint all other wood with kilz.
8. Put new flooring in where needed.
9. Remove / replace any carpet with waterproof laminate flooring
10. Repair or replace toilet.
11. Put in bench seating throughout the vehicle with possible modular bed in rear
12. Use existing electrical components for new updated LED lighting
13. Remove and replace TV
14. Install nice indoor outdoor sound system with roaming WiFi and satellite components
15. Tune up and hit the road for a test run with family and friends!
I've attached pictures of where I am at currently and would love to know if anyone has tackled this same problem.
I'd love to get on the phone with someone who has done this. Thanks for taking a look.
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