vacuumbed wrote:
If I wanted to replace all the particle board face with real wood, would that be too invasive of a job and is it doable?
I guess everyone's definition of invasive is going to be different. It's not a huge job (like a 10-room house), but there is that hump of "gah, I'm removing a perfectly good interior" to get over. And sometimes trying to mince around not making any big scene is more work in the end than just doing it big time. But it all depends on the situation, time and tools available, your bent, etc.
Personally, I would either do something minimally cosmetic to the existing cabinets, or just have them out and re-do. I had the same inclination as you (is there a way I can just work with them?), but in the end it was just easier to re-do things. But then too, there were things I didn't like. For example, the extreme rake of the upper cabinet fronts. So that argued for replacing them. I tried a bunch of different angles, from straight (like the Premier) to the existing sharp angle. Ended up with something in between as my favorite. So I was able to make that change. I also went with larger doors (because I changed the construction I was able to do that). I didn't go for super light (because it's just harder to deal with things like mounting hinges in super thin/light cabinetry), but even without trying the new cabinets are lighter (you can't not lighten up when you remove the MDF). I also did things like move the 110 outlets (don't use them much, but when I do I was sick of cords draping everywhere), and, while I had things apart, I could easily run new wiring, check out the old, etc.
Not that I'm saying everyone should do it that way -- and it does look horrifying when suddenly it's an empty box with wires dangling and etc -- but on the other hand sometimes half doing it is harder. Again, just depends on various factors. I don't think there's one right answer.
vacuumbed wrote:I assume I could remove all the old pieces carefully and have a cabinet guy make the same piece out of real wood, then reinstall.
You could. But it's hard for me to imagine you not wanting to make some changes once you're doing all that. But see above.
vacuumbed wrote:I also don't care for my gray interior, I would also want to change the ceiling and wall upholstery to a light blue color. Would I have to rip out all the old ceiling and wall fabric? Or could I just put the new material on top of it.
You must be speaking of your 1990 then? Because I think they had the colored wall fabric on the overhead (ceiling) as well (vs. my era has whitish carpet on the overhead, and colored fabric on the walls).
I can't imagine any real success with putting new fabric on top of old. Issues I imagine are lack of adhesion, extra weight separating the original fabric from the foam backing, additional thickness causing issues with window trim rings, etc. etc.
Funny thing is I'd love a grey interior! Well, not on the overhead, but on the walls. So here is what I can tell you about circa 1999:
1) It's relatively easy to remove the "pillars" that are on each side of the cab/coach interface. On my rig these are molded fiberglass with the foam backed headliner (wall fabric) glued to them. Once they are out of the rig it's not too hard to peel off the fabric and then remove the glue residue.
2) Once those are out you can remove the front panel (but yours might be different - maybe older ones had a wooden panel there?). On my era it's another molded fiberglass piece covered in the foam backed headliner fabric.
I hemmed and hawed on how to re-do these and decided to use the same fabric but grey. The pillars especially have compound curves and most fabrics won't stretch enough. In fact, even the really stretchy original type fabric I used had a real learning curve on the most compound parts. So I did mine to about 90% good on the first try, but learned a few things so removed that (while it was fresh/easy) and cleaned them up again. At that point I was out of fabric and now I can't decide whether to get the same fabric again (now I think I could do a better job with the experience) or do something totally different like paint them. I'll probably do the fabric again. I'm not really into fabric walls, but on the other hand don't want an echo chamber or something that nicks every time I hit it.
On the upper center panel (entertainment area), I took the opportunity to change a few things. I was no longer using the original solar controller, so I fiberglassed that hole flush. And I also don't have a VCR, and decided to not have the coach stereo mounted as it was, so I opened that side square to match the other side (where the TV was). So essentially it will be three cupboard doors opening to the overcab storage. Of course while that's happening I just put up some curtains and now I'm kind of spoiled by the one huge giant opening. So convenient!
On the overhead: Do you have just the flat top layer without the extra "wedding cake" tier? If so, lucky you! So easy to mount solar. Anyway, one thing to consider if you don't want to go crazy removing fabric and glue on the overhead (oh my aching neck and arms just writing that), you could consider overlaying it with a rigid sheet of something. White fiberglass, white hardboard, something else creative.... (kdarling has a tin ceiling). That could be screwed into the overhead fiberglass liner, then mount things back on top of it (lights, fan garnish, etc.). Obviously check your rig before proceeding. Some grey might peek out here and there where a plain panel won't go, but it could cover a lot of it.
On the walls: The fabric on mine runs under the upper cabinets, window clamp rings, etc. so that's something to consider. It peels off fairly easily but the paneling underneath is just luaun, so kind of open-grainy to just paint. I have considered leaving it, filling and painting the luaun, using wall liner (paintable wallpaper, more common in UK etc. but available here), completely taking them out, insulating better and cutting new panels. Jury is still out. I suppose given all the givens my first choice at the moment is to remove the window trim rings, etc. and then use wall liner and paint a light color. I'm not much for fabric walls though. But if you like them, they do have some advantages.
You can probably see why I said that it's almost easiest just to take it all out and do it. Walls are exposed, etc. But.... that all depends on your situation, skills, timing, budget, general inclination, etc. Sometimes it's better to just go along bit by bit, even if it's harder in a way.
). This type of lumber also surrounds the window openings vaguely similar to residential framing (very vaguely). To that wood matrix, the 1/8 lauan walls are stapled. The lower portion of the upper cabinets are screwed to those studs.
), and then around the windows two layers of 1/2" plywood. There is also plywood reinforcing in certain other places where things are attached or etc.
