Re: [VAL] Gaucho envy

["Stan Truitt" <stan.truitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Is there a method of straightening bowed doors?<

hello glyn
bowed and warped doors are a problem with old trailers. typically, the doors
in our trailers are made of a rabited soft wood frame covered by thin
plywood veneers. this leaves the interior of the door mostly hollow. the
shrinkage of the different type of woods as well as the relatively weak
inter-stucture of the frame can result in the bowing problem.  moisture and
heat also effect them. warped doors are almost imposible to straighten out
as are small (say 12" x 16") bowed doors but the longer doors can sometimes
be made straight or at least usable. bowed, meaning to me concaved or
convexed are sometimes restored by placing the center of the bow on a 4x4
and applying presure on each end in an opposite direction. given time, i
have used this method with some success.  making new doors is fine but
rarely can you get the same grain structure and color match is a challenge
as well. i have also removed the original thin plywood veneers and reglued
to a new core made of mdf. the mdf is very stable but very heavy. i usually
cut out the center section of the mdf and apply a thin laminate on the
backside. that way you have created a interior framework similar to the
structure of the original but more stable to temp and humidity changes. its
a big job but what is not in airstream restoration?
good luck
harry
66 safari