[VAC] A few upgrades: Floor, tires, mattresses, lights

[John Anderson <janderson@xxxxxxxx>]

Have been not tending the list too well this summer, but I should share 
a few upgrade experiences which I completed before taking the '66 
Sovereign out for her yearly jaunt up into north central WI. Might 
encourage someone else.

1) New "Pergo-like" flooring for the front and galley areas. Ditto to 
all that Jim Green wrote; same installation process. (rip out carpet, 
pull up tiles, sand/scrape, epoxy & filler. One additional step: I 
cut 3/8" plywood and screwed down as underlayment
for the new flooring. Glad I did, it made laying the new flooring really 
clean and easy.)  Sales people recommended the non-glue option for a 
seasonal  cabin-type application subject to large temperature and 
humidity variations. Installation is
straightforward.  The floor looks great and did not budge during our 
several hundred mile test run. We will see what a full seasonal change 
does, but thus far I highly recommend this stuff. 25 year warranty.

2) 4 new tires.  ST 7.00 X 15" tires were readily available at my 
neighborhood Pomp's tire service.  What a pleasant surprise. I recall 
that some on the list have had problems finding these.  $302 all 
inclusive; mounted, balanced, installed, taxes, and old
carcasses disposed of.

3) 2 new 34" X 74" custom made mattresses for the mid-twin beds.  Built 
right in my neighborhood Verlo mattress factory. Called them on 
Wednesday; they were ready to pick up on the following Monday.  These 
are quality innerspring mattresses, not foam sheets.
Very comfortable.  Again, $300 covered the bill.

4) Minor--I replaced the 2 front wall lights whose ball&socket had 
come permanently out of joint.  Now have 2 nice brass wall sconces with 
frosted glass globes.  These were 120vac fixtures but it was very simple 
to gut them and replace the bulb socket with
the ones from the 12vdc fixtures they replaced.  I wrapped the base of 
the globe, which sits down in the fixture, with 1/4" foam weatherstrip 
material; it's invisible, and lets them ride in-place without fear of 
breakage. Under $30 total for 2.

I am thankful all over again every time I do a wiring project and see 
the copper wires.  Must have been after 1966 when the aluminum wire 
brainstorm blew through.

That's it for this year's projects.  Next year will probably be 2 
Fantastic roof fans.  Last year it was new carpet and bathroom vanity.  
The fun never stops.