Headlining problems

I'm replacing the headlining on ply as per the original (turret westfalia)

Now the original ply is 3mm, which I can't seem to find so I used 3.5mm glued the new headlining material looked all lovely

Tried to bend it in the "s" shape to fit in to the channel and it snapped

So can I use hardboard or what are other doing

Thanks

 

There’s a bit of technique to it , I’ve done quite a few but not snapped any, you’ll probably find you need to open the channels up a bit

 

Thanks, was that using 3.5mm ply,

I was wondering if the ply is more bendy in a certain direction

 

I used static caravan wall board which is 3mm thick

 

shouldn’t be , check for where the laminated woods crosses over to the new pieces , can be weak

 

Where did you buy that from?

 

Is hardboard a definite no

 

I used Beers timber in Warrington, but they don't seem to have it now, but these do.. ours was in and out a few times, kickboards split but the roof was fine in ply in both directions.

https://www.cwberry.com/Building-Ma...BBirchPlywood1525x1525mm5ftx5ft_M01100171.htm

 

There is sadly a shortage of decent plywood. I bought some marine ply (also too thick 5 mm instead of 4mm, no choice) from a good supplier at a sensible price and it was made out of splintery stuff. If I had paid double it would have been made from better quality wood. It was strong enough for my use case where it was encased in fibre glass and epoxy resin, to repair a boat where I stood up and a foot sized hole appeared in the bottom.

One way of softening up wood which will work with plywood but its a fair bit of work is to make a steam chest (a big flat box) , and steam the sheets in it (using a steam cleaner as a kettle) The wood will come out hot, and rubbery, then harden up as it dries and cools down.
A technique long used to make curvy things out of straight wood.

 

You should find some on eBay or similar ,
One side has like a vinyl wallpaper I used it the the ply side which needs a little fine sanding
I then stained it and varnished it , I made all my interior panels for my westy like this using the old ones as templates

 

I thought this was going to be a Top Band/Covid/Festival thread…

 

Weatherproof MDF sheets are probably a more stable answer these days sadly.

 

Std 3.5mm ply most definitely is bendy across a sheet and not along the length. Exactly the opposite of what's required for a 5ft span. but 5 x 10ft sheets of bendy birch ply are 10x the price.
That's why mine is in two pieces.

 

I got one in on the early at the front, just luck I think.
Next one along was going ok...


Then...


It's asking a lot of a sheet of cheap ply but I'm cheap so I did this...

 

I don’t know but would also like to hear others opinions on hardboard , I’m planning on using it and covering with headlining material so not really fussed what it looks like

 

I think hardboard would be fine.

 

I've been googling and aparantly vw use hardboard in the t4,t5,t6,

As the roof is bow shaped I think hardboard would still keep it shape but be flexible enough to allow fitment

It also goes into the channels so should improve strength

Am I wrong?

 

You type to quick lol

Answered my question before i asked

What's Saturdays lotto numbers?

 

Replying to Dazza just above my post.

 

No to hardboard!!

The T4,5 and 6s use the VW hardboard, which is a bit more heavy duty and crucially it a lot more moisture resistant than your standard B&Q stuff.

I replaced the standard stuff in my T5 with 3mm hardboard and lined it and it just sags from the fixings and looks “below par”

You can buy ply that is bendy along it’s length rather than across its width, but you have to find a shop that’s able to provide that info... it’s all about grain direction.

the caravan boards are probably a good bet. Look up Morland... they have a 3mm boards

I’d like to see @mikedjames headlining sized steam box!!