ceiling methods

[robertglines1]

Have used several differant  in conversions. Have used ozite in a MCI 8 put over flexable plywood glued on with contact glue:note be well ventilated unless you want a buzz.. nice product.  Last couple have used acrylic mirror($80  a sheet 4ft by 8ft) over plywood for center then a rail system for sides. Sides(ceiling) were fabricated by by gluing heavy quilt batting to plywood then stretching ultra suede over the batting and stapeling to back. I used snap buttons thru center every ft to create a button (tuffed) pattern. Attachment to ceiling can be a slot on side and middle for panels to rest in (anchored) or a rail system . Both are easily removed for access to wire chase etc. So I have started discussion :: time for others to chime in.                      In the end do it your way                        Bob

[luvrbus]

I would leave the buttons off they do look nice and fancy but making for a lot harder cleaning and smooth ultra leather is the way to go for me


good luck

[Ace]

I would have to agree with Clifford on the buttons. They were cool back inb the 60's but the smooth look is in now.
If you use carpet or ozite, and do any cooking on a stove, be prepared to end up with a ceiling that will be hard to keep clean. Smooth vinyl or leather material is best and more modern looking not to mention easy to clean.

[PP]

Except for over the driver's area, where I installed a doorskin material, ours is carpeted. We have one of those little Bissel Green Machine steam cleaners and I use it on it about every 3-4 months--mostly for dust control LOL. The carpet is old, need I say anymore? We're following this thread, because at some point in the near future we will be replacing it and are in the stage of looking for ideas. At least we don't have to worry about the corner rails, as their solid wood with all the cables running behind. Will

[robertglines1]

COME ON  I know some one else has a ceiling in their bus. New/Old ideas or just paint it.         Bob

[Joe Camper]

I would categorize this aspect of the conversion with 2 types.

There are headliners and there are "ceilings"

Ours currently has a headliner similar to automotive stuff. Nice but plain. Putting a "ceiling" in is another project on my list.

The game many play and what I am going to copy is no visible fasteners anywhere ever. Multiple levels and valances and no straight lines is something else I like.

Here is a source for related stuff

http://www.garysupholstery.com/index.html

[rv_safetyman]

I also hoping that folks would jump in with good ideas.  Our headliner project is coming towards the top of the list of projects.

In our toterhome, we used Ozite ( http://www.ozite.com/cprod.cfm?item=cp8 ).  It was pretty easy to install.  We used Landau top adhesive.  However, applying the glue can be tricky.  We used a roller and that is probably not the process you want.  Our problem is that we applied the glue too thick and it bled through the material.  It it a fine line.  You need enough glue to bond with the glue on the wood (or?).  The material has a lot of texture and that makes it hard to get enough build.  The proper way to apply the glue would be to put a light coat (spray is best) and then let it dry.  Then apply a second coat for the build. 

Folks talk about only getting one chance to get the material on correctly, but we were able to adjust the material as long as the glue was still a bit "wet".  I really like the look of Ozite as well as the sound deadening.  However, folks are correct about the dirt and grease issue.  I applied some Ozite to the door on our bus (had some left over).  I really have to work to make it look decent (enough leakage that you get the air depositing who knows what on the lower part of the door not to mention my less than clean hands touching it  .

We are planning on something like Naugahyde for the ceiling.  When I took the BCM conversion coarse in '99, we installed a headliner in an MCI.  Tom Winterhalter showed us how to make a "rolled" installation.  We used a thin layer of foam and adhesive and narrow strips of something like masonite.  We put the material with about 1 inch of the good side toward the plywood ceiling and let it hang.  Then we screwed the strip of wood to the material and applied the foam.  Then we pulled the material back towards the back of the bus (started at the front) and then screwed another strip of the about 2 feet back (on top of the good side of the vinyl) to secure it to the ceiling.  Now, here is where my memory  fails me. 

I know we then pulled the material towards the front of the bus.  I guess we put up another strip on the backside of the material in front of the second strip and then pulled the material back towards the back of the bus.  We then repeated the process.

I will look at my notes and see if I can create a better description.

For our effort this time, I have thought about cutting something like masonite in 2 feet wide (perhaps less) strips and wrapping the vinyl around the board.  The question is, how do you adhere the board to the plywood ceiling.  On the ends of the boards, I can use wood trim that butts up to the cupboards.  Some folks use thin wood bows across the bus to secure the panels.  Not sure how you would secure the bows without the screws showing.  I guess you could screw a thin layer and then glue another thin layer of top of that.

I have also observed one bus where they used velcro to hold the panels up.  The owner pulled one down for me and it was pretty slick.  He said he has no problems with the panel coming loose.

Hope other folks chime in here, as I need good ideas.

Jim

[crown]

 hear are a few pics of my ceiling . most is 1/8 plywood with vinal .then glued over sub ceiling. my center strip will be 3/8 plywood
with vinal and snap buttons in a soft pattern. that way i can remove center strip at any time. as my rope lights are behide there
and most of the wireing thanks bob for the buttons john

[robertglines1]

Was wanting just to share a ceiling photo but that skill escapes me.     http://s987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/robertglines1/Interior%20%2089%20prevost/ Dallas fixed it below. ck link        thanks Dallas       Bob

[rv_safetyman]

Hi Bob. That link does not work for me.  Even tried to copy and paste.

Jim

[Just Dallas]

Try this link:

http://s987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/robertglines1/Interior%20%2089%20prevost/

[Skykingrob]

Bob
I have not started the project but I did make a trial mock up to make sure it would work.

I used 1/8" luan plywood, drilled holes thru the plywood into metal 2 x2 angle iron "ceiling rafters", then glued the roll 1/4" refletix from Lowes over it with landau roof contact cement, then covered it with buckskin colored fabric that I stapled into the luan. I then put the mock up up and drove around, thankfully without it falling down.

It is thin, insulated, sound absorbing and has some cushion. Only drawback is some "crinkle" sound when pushing on the reflectix but it is minot and I will likely stick with it.

BTW, I did try the same mock up not using christmas tree fastners, instead using industrial strength velcro on the rafters and the back of the luan. It held, and held tight but I was a little nervous the ceiling might fall. It didn't in my travels but I abandon the idea if lieu of the christmas fastners for my piece of mind.

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri

[robertglines1]

Thanks for fixing it Dallas, I think I know my mistakes and will avoid them in the future. Cap I and don't leave spaces hince the %.some things just don't flow into my brain to easy.   Bob