Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:13:03 -0600
Reply-To: Max Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Max Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Subject: Re: Spay expandable foam insulation in Westy?
In-Reply-To: <71d9cdf90601221124w254e0a11jb99121c4c7d3d3f2@mail.gmail.co m>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Only closed-cell foams are water-tight/proof and even condensation
will form on them which could create a rusting
scenario. Polyurethane and styrofoam are open cell foams and will
absorb water. In your example of using them for dock floatation,
yes, they don't sink but if you weighed the float before it was
installed and weighed it a year later, you'd be able to calculate how
much water it soaked up. Did the dock sink due to the water
absorption? No, because the water won't get very far into the core
of the foam. In your Westy's case, the water doesn't need to get
very far before it stays put and begins the rusting/mildew/mold process.
I thought I was smart by using yellow fiberglass insulation to
insulate my 71 Bus years ago. a year later, I had a reason to pull
the panels(speaker wiring I think) and was horrified as to the rust
forming in there and how wet the fiberglass was. That van lived it's
whole life in Arkansas so salt/rust wasn't an issue, but humidity was
definitely in play.
Bad news is that I don't have an answer for you.
DM&FS
At 01:24 PM 1/22/2006, Jake de Villiers wrote:
>We4ll, they use polyurethane spray foam as fltation for docks and piers, so
>it must be a closed-cell foam. Make sure you use the "Minimal expansion"
>type Malcolm! The regular gets VERY big.
>
>On 1/22/06, David Marshall <mailinglist@fastforward.ca> wrote:
> >
> > I would be concerned about the ability of the product to absorb water...
> >
> > David Marshall
> >
> > Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
> > 4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
> > Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
> >
> > Internet http://www.fastforward.ca
> > Email sales@fastforward.ca
> >
> > - Engine Conversions and Accessories for classic water-cooled Volkswagens
> > - Electrical harness fabrication and customization
> >
> > Due to the large quantity of email we receive, please include previous
> > email
> > correspondence when replying. This will allow us to read the full
> > dialogue
> > in one message so that we may provide you a quicker and more accurate
> > response.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> > Malcolm Stebbins
> > Sent: January 22, 2006 9:39
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Spay expandable foam insulation in Westy?
> >
> > In removing the interior from my "new to me" van, I notice that in some
> > places (in behind pillars
> > and panels), there is NO insulation, and NO way to get bubble or
> > fiberglass
> > insulation in behind
> > the panels. There are two major areas, each 1 foot by 2 feet.
> >
> > I know that there are spray expandable foam insulation products on the
> > market. Is there any
> > reason that I should/could NOT use a product like this in a camper?
> >
> > Is there a human lung-friendly product that will not out-gas forever and
> > kill me slowly while I
> > sleep???
> >
> > Thanks. Malcolm
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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>
>
>
>--
>Jake
>1984 Vanagon GL
>1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
>www.crescentbeachguitar.com
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