wood panel on the ceiling

Muck · Post by **Muck** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 4:31 pm

i am almost done putting all the 1/4 inch oak panel in my van but i am having a very hard time with the 2 ceiling ones. Does anybody have any hints on how to do this alittle less stressful?

mucK · Post by **mucK** » Mon Jun 17, 2002 4:41 pm

ps
anybody else having problems with there password on this forum?

Volcano · Post by **Volcano** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 12:57 am

Please explain your problem.If it,s a cut @ fitting head ache I,ll tell you how to make a perfect template the right way so you don,t go crazy.

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Volcano

Muck · Post by **Muck** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 6:17 am

[yes it is the cut itself and then trying to fit it into the ceiling. I used the old piece as a template,but when it comes to installing it thats where the headache come in.

<B>Please explain your problem.If it,s a cut @ fitting head ache I,ll tell you how to make a perfect template the right way so you don,t go crazy.

</B>[/QUOTE]

JK · Post by JK » Tue Jun 18, 2002 6:26 am

I think you need to wet the outer edges some and put some weights on them while hanging them over the edge of something. I've heard of steam ironing also. I had quite a bit of trouble with Baltic Birch, I imagine Oak is even more difficult. If you pre-form some curves on the outer edges it will go in better.
John

JT · Post by JT » Tue Jun 18, 2002 3:41 pm

I'm not sure if this will help, but I replaced the headliner on my Bay with Baltic Birch. Two things helped it slip into the two long clips (groves) on the sides. One, I beveled the back on the sides to give it some more clearance (I used a basket weave vinyl on the front and needed it) and two, I polyurethaned the back side to seal it. This had the added benifit of making it slip in the clips easier.

Tom Walker · Post by **Tom Walker** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 3:45 pm

Interesting post. Ive thought about doing this but havent come up with a good molding to cover the edges. Anyone have any great solutions? Thanks.

Tom

Muck · Post by **Muck** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 4:11 pm

what im going to try and hide the seems of the wood coming together is oak strips that are ironed on, Not to sure how it will look but i think it will be better then the plastic before it.

QUOTE]Originally posted by Tom Walker:
<B>Interesting post. Ive thought about doing this but havent come up with a good molding to cover the edges. Anyone have any great solutions? Thanks.

Tom</B>[/QUOTE]

homerbrew · Post by **homerbrew** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 11:17 pm

I have a 73 westy that has the white painted wooden panels and a few are scratched or rotten at the bottom. I would like to replicate these if I could. Any ideas?? how do you paint them and still get the wood grain to show through??

Volcano · Post by **Volcano** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 5:52 am

Lets see if I can help a little on the template.First go to Home Depot and get a peice of door skin.This is very thin plywood. Cut it in 2 in. strips.Next you need a good stapler with 5/16 or so staples.Fit your pieces in place following all contours stapeling it together as you go.You can cut the strips with scissors.You'll get the hang of it fast.Once you have the frame assembled(with extra bracing where needed)you have an exact shape of the original and its rigid.You could probably use doorskin for the replacement pieces.I'd be tempted to contact WWW.Constantines.com for wood veneers that are like wallpaper but real wood.Just glue it on and finish it out.Make sure you use the wall paper type veneers with a backing on them.Some even have an Aluminium layer(ply)Dont work real veneers unless you are a masochist.

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Volcano

JK · Post by JK » Thu Jun 20, 2002 12:26 pm

One thing I forgot. It helps to put some 1X2 strips in the area behind the edge. This helps keep the plywood (I hope you meant 1/8" and not 1/4) from going back towards the outside leaving a gap.
John

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 5:39 pm

Anyone, who's alreadt done it, willing to make a pattern off the top pieces?

Dave

papun5880pr · Post by **papun5880pr** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 2:21 pm

LIGHTLY WET THE PANEL WITH A DAMP CLOTH AND USE A HEAT GUN TO GIVE FOR TO IT.YOU CAN USE HEAVY CORDS TO MAKE A 'U' FORM .DON'T RUSH IT AND YOU WILL END WITH THE PERFECT ROOF.REMEMBER,WET AND HEAT ARE THE PERFECT COUPLE.

Joser · Post by **Joser** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 3:44 pm

There's drawings of the panels on Rob's 72camper.com website.
http://www.72camper.com/panels.htm

There's also some more info on these panels in the Library section of www.type2.com in the "Camper" link.

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Joser
1972 Super Beetle
1972 Super Beetle (Parts)
1969 Westfalia