Date:         Tue, 20 Nov 2001 08:52:08 -0800
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      foam footing found for 'falia floor
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi,

The other day I made the pilgrimage to Home Depot and after buying the one
doorknob I came for, accidentally found a inexpensive foam padding to fit in
the main floor of the westy.


The product is called "Powerlink" and a package consists of four 2' square
(approx. 10mm thick) pieces of quite dense foam. Each square has a a series
of "dovetail" projections that run along each edge that allows the squares
to be interlocked with each other. So you can arrange them to come up with a
4' X 4' sheet that will fit the floor of the westy.

Actually its a bit small, for the floor area is slightly longer than 4',
maybe 51"? But in my case it works out fine. I trimmed the "dovetails" from
2 opposite edges of the 4' square and notched them to fit the cabinet
projection at the fridge and at the forward end of the cabinets.

With the carpet laid on top of the foam, the slightly short foer and aft
fitment is not noticeable.

note: my 82 westy came with the old one piece plywood floor with brown
carpet stapled to it. A couple of years ago I removed the plywood and
installed the track system found on later models. I ripped the original
plywood floor into strips to fit the spaces between the tracks and faced
those strips with Luan plywood ("doorskins"). The plywood was finished
"clear" with shellac then a rubbed finish of varnish followed by wax. I had
originally meant to face the plywood with cork, but haven't found a
suitable/inexpensive cork tile yet. But the floor has held up very well
as-is, except that the old carpet, recycled from the original floor, tended
to slip on the plywood.

Anyway, with the carpet in place it looks fine and feels good underfoot. I
have to believe that it has helped to increase the sound and heat
insulation!

Oh, and it only cost Can$19.95.


Alistair



albell@uvic.ca
'82 Westy, diesel=>I4 gas


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