Whens the next instalment?
Now ....................
So with the right hand side riveted on, it’s now time to turn attention to front and rear walls and the upper door.
The upper door did require some considerable repair work. All the “damage” probably happened, either when it was pulled from its mould or when the inner and outer skins were clamped and laminated together. All the cracks were ground out to below the gelcoat and filled with resin and chopped strand mat. This was then sanded and filled with normal body filler to get a smooth finish.
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
The ends really didn’t need too much attention, so together with the upper door were sanded and primed. A quick guide coat and left overnight. The following day all the panels were sanded and sprayed with three coats of “Old English White”.
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Once the paint was dry, the hinges were added to the ends. The following day the flat seals were added to the main body, at the ends, and the ends then fixed to the main body using stainless steel screws (they don’t rust like the old ones!!).
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
So now onto the major problem of it all, the roof. This was pretty bad and even with the work carried out on it so far, it’s far from perfect. What has got to be remembered the more strength we add the more weight we add, therefore making it more difficult to lift.
All the starring has been ground back to below the gelcoat and more so on the structural repair area on the right side (where obviously the wind had caught the roof at some point and split that side and damaged the centre strip of the roof). The normal repair to all these areas was carried out (resin and chapped strand mat).This will be allowed to harden off before sanding and filling.
Phunkie Project Portafold (caravan!!)
Will get round to a bit more this weekend …………