Date:         Tue, 1 Aug 2017 18:53:47 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: fiberglass sheets to replace the kitchen wooden panel.
Comments: To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CACvdLxP3BRaEOVLu0VyaaB8G0PrMD+8eYAcmuouCt+cN4hMKBg@mail.gmail.com>
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Hey David,

The original ply was metric sized, and sometimes you can get that in NA but most often you can't. 1/8" is pretty close to the original 3mm (I think I'm correct with it being 3mm) and the difference only bites you when the original is fitted into a metal groove or the like.

I've used Baltic birch, and that name is pretty loose it seems now. The key was to find good quality ply that has minimum voids and at least three ply. You pay for the good quality stuff.

A cheap alternative is what is known around here as "door skin" . Stuff around here is luan ply, three plies. It's not bad but it's a bit splintery and not as nice to work with as the Baltic birch. It does have a mahogany look to it ( luan is also known as Philippine mahogany) but won't be mistaken for true mahogany. But it has that type of colour which may or may not suit your taste in the van.  It's also not as fine textured on the surface as Baltic birch so painting it takes more work. It's also nominally 1/8" thick.

Alistair


> On Aug 1, 2017, at 6:32 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Why would you use such a thin plywood?  Isn't the original thicker?  And if
> painting, why use birch?  Why not a less expensive product?  The reason I
> ask is that I am looking at putting a sliding access door on the bed side
> of the rear "closet."  Someone else has even recommended using masonite for
> that application.  If there is a good reason to go with birch, such as to
> be less likely to dent than say pine, I can understand that.  But 1/8" is
> awfully thin to my mind.
> 
> mcneely
> 
> On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 4:24 PM, Karl Mullendore <tdiguru@westyventures.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> On Tue, 1 Aug 2017 11:38:17 -0400, Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> I would be concerned about color change/yellowing over time. You can buy

>> matching grey veneer, but I don't know about beige.
>> 
>> 
>> What I read is the he wants to replace the entire wall panel, not the
>> cabinet laminate.
>> I'd use 1/8" birch cabinet grade plywood and paint to match.
>>