[VAC] Re: Question about penetrating epoxy

["T. Byrd" <tbyrd@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jim,

This is all good information. Thank you, I always welcome your 2 cents,
or whatever you can spare. :)

I recently purchased the Overlander with the intent of traveling and
living in it full time. It looked to be in really good condition, and in
fact, for the most part, it is. However there are soft spots in the
floor in the usual locations. It seems that it's in good condition
around the perimeter of the floor, but under the fresh water tank, water
heater, and especially under the shower/comode, it's soft and
delaminating. The interior is in excellent condition, and the previous
owner put down new carpet and sheet vinyl, and we'd rather not delve
into a complete restoration at this time. However, someday we may go a
little further.

I've only taken up the flooring in the bathroom, and we plan on taking
it up under the couch and water heater as well. So far, the wood looks
like it's in decent condition, soft, delaminating, but it hasn't turned
into fluff yet, and it's only really soft in a few select spots (around
the shower drain for example). It is certainly rotting around the edge
of the floor in the shower, so badly in fact, that the aluminum interior
panels have corroded away about 1" or so up from the floor. So at least
I can get the epoxy out to the edge. I don't know if I should be pleased
or not about that one. :)

If the penetrating epoxy can't be used for laminating, how would I
re-laminate the layers? I noticed on the Fiberglass Coatings web site
that they sell a laminating epoxy as well. Can, or should, this be used
prior to the penetrating epoxy? This doesn't sound feasible to me, but
I've never used these types of epoxies, or for these purposes.

I'll take your advice and add the layer of fiberglass cloth over the
area. Do you think this would be better than 1/4" plywood? I don't care
about the quality of the surface so much, as I'm putting the aluminum
shower pan and the black tank back over it when finished. I also agree
with you, and feel that over engineering, and over strengthening the
floor would be better than underkill.

I'm also wondering what kind of coverage I can expect from the
penetrating epoxy. I suppose it depends on the condition of the wood,
and how well it's absorbed. I have maybe 15 to 20 square feet to cover,
and I was planning on purchasing the 1:1 Gallon Kit. In your experience,
is this too much?

Again, thank you for your sage advice!

--
Ted Byrd
1958 Overlander