Fellows,
I am starting the conversion on the interior of my MCI 102.
I plan on keeping the OTR Air/Heat and would like some feed back regarding finishing material for the walls and ceiling. The factory wall and ceiling panels are aluminum that are nicely formed and fit well. It seems a shame to not use these panels again?
The one draw back is that the side and center panels are attached by a piece of molding that runs the length of the interior about 3' off the center line of the cabin. It seems if I was to mark where the structural members are located I could reinstall the aluminum panels and attach the cabinets and walls by sandwiching the aluminum between the wall/cabinet and the bus structure.
The aluminum should be easy to finish with a fabric or vinyl and other than the seams where the molding runs it should look and fit well. I could paint the molding the color of the ceiling material and locate a filler strip that inserts into the molding that is the same color to match.
Has anyone finished their interior using the original aluminum panels? I would like to have some feed back on this idea and photos if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Doug
Nope, it can't be done, I don't know of any reason, I just wanted to be the first one to say it can't be done lol ;D ;D ;D
Doug, done that way every day I covered my aluminum in the MCI 8 with padded ultra leather I got at bargain broke the lines up every 2 ft with a strip of covered wood I used white with the strips a light blue for the ceiling, on the walls I used a laminate was real thin forgot the name but was a wood grain.
Then I covered the top seam where the walls and ceiling meet with indirect lighting behind a cornish just like my Eagle.
Speaking with the guys at MCI they told me not to remove the sidewall aluminum right or wrong I don't know just what a MCI engineer told me, you know sorta like asking for credit at a grocery store don't ask the clerk ask the owner
good luck
For walls, a lot of people seem to put plywood on the walls, it sure helps in subsequent framing and wall construction to have a solid side wall to start with. I think the biggest issue with retaining and covering the stock ceiling and wall aluminium is that a lot of people think you must strip out all of the interior panelling/insulation and install foam insulation that is a lot thicker than stock, so you need to frame out the walls and drop the ceiling height, and then they like to duct the roof AC up there, and run wiring ducts and raise the roof and all of that. I suspect, like Clifford says, that the sidewall interior aluminum contributes to the monocoque strength of the bus. And I'm not going to raise the roof on my bus, I'll jest keep on hitting my head on the AC panel for the amount of work in a roof raise! I may eventually buy a hat, though... ;D
What I am currently thinking would be a great interior treatment (after having dinner in a fully restored dining car at a train station restaurant) is mahogany beaded panelling following the curve of the roof up to those trim strips, then embossed tin panels glued on to the stock aluminium. I have the stock aluminium ceiling in my bus, no lowered ceiling or raised roof. At this juncture the stock aluminium decor is working just fine, I only notice it when I am lying in bed anyway...
Brian
Brian;
A fighter rubber helmet helps,HA,Ha,Ha
We used plywood also but left the Aluminum and then when attaching cabinets especially uppers, you can use self taping screws through the wood and into the metal to rally hold well, FWIW
Dave
We installed a layer of 1/2" styrofoam insulation that has a layer of reflective aluminum on one side (Lowes, $9/sheet) then covered everything with furniture grade hardwood plywood, using 3/4 on the walls and thinner on the ceiling. The good ply is expensive but takes varnish very well.
As MCI said don't pull the lower AL siding. It is part of the structure. My original intent was to pull the siding in sections and replace/upgrade the insulation. But, when faced with the thought off all the rivets to drill out and replace, I opted to cover with ceramic insulation and then 1/4" plywood.
Bill
Clifford - Brian - Bill,
Thanks, I think I will move forward with reinstalling the aluminum panels. I will either add structure underneath the panels as needed to support hanging cabinets or plan on using the existing structure as best I can.
I have not decided on a headliner material as of yet but I need to start looking. Lori and I are all set up with upholstery equipment as several years ago we got involved in the restoration of antique furniture which eventually resulted in being a plus when I started restoring old cars. We are looking forward to this interior project to give the sewing machines a little run time.
I would be interested to hear about materials you have used for the head liner and where they were purchased.
Thanks,
Doug