I love the ingenuity and diligence both in how you are creating this content for us all but as we observe the process of renovation that you both are doing. So many great practical tips. Proud of both of you.
Can’t wait!!! Used to have a VW also, just got tired of replacing engines. My Sunrader much better!!! Have a 1985 with a carburetor and still get 15-17 miles to the gallon. Do you have 15 inch rims in the rear? Just got some custom made.
Amazing! I saw you fiberglassing the bumper on insta, and we just came to the conclusion that it might be the best fix for our roof. Awesome that you did this video!!! Thanks again for trail blazing!
I did the same process on my 18' Sunrader including removing the roof rail and ladder which left many holes for water to intrude. Good job. I purchased my materials from Discount Marina in Jax.
Oh that is awesome! Glad we are all int he same boat. We have sourced things from Jamestown Distributers, Amazon, and West Marine when we are in a pitch!
Hey there, I have a Toyota Sunrader that I’m fiberglassing in some of the windows and such. Apparently the link was lost to the blog that you attached to this video. What kind of compound did you use for the fairing? I’m a big fan of these videos you’ve posted of renovating the Sunrader. Thank you for sharing your content.
What weight fabric are you using? I buy all my stuff from Aircraft Spruce when I have such a project. I had no idea the RVs had so much composite work.
Well the body portion of our rig is fiberglass so that is why we have needed to do so much fiberglassing. The Dolphin versions of these however are corigated metal, but we love this style because of how light the fiberglass body is. I used Biaxial Cloth that was 17 oz and 3/4 oz mat. The chop mat that I used here and there is 1/2 oz!
Thanks Steve! We decided to renovate for several reasons. -The appliances in the camper were old and needed to be replaced -We wanted everything to be electric except the stove which meant new batteries with higher capacity and a solar set up. We also are dropping from two propane tanks to one. -We are eliminating the bathroom. The last two years in our van we haven't felt like we really needed it. So with those things it just made sense to start over and have the interior modernized to suit our needs since we will be living in it full time. The rear seating area will remain the same layout and the kitchen will be similar to before but the driver side is going to be a lot different. We are going to be sharing plans soon so stay tuned!
I didn't see you use a top layer of dacron. Dacron captures excess resin float, especially the sticky uncured layer. After the resin has cured, you pull off the dacron, and you are left with a dry textured surface, ready for painting or another layer of fiberglass. I learned composites from a master machinist who built his own airplane (rear wing Canard) and about seven SAE Motorsports racecars for the college of engineering.
Wow. I have never heard of that, but I just looked it up! That is amazing, I don't know how I didn't come across that in my research. I saved it though because for anything else this looks like an invaluable step! Thank you so much for this!
Sub'd to see where you are going with this refurb and final interior layout. I'm a wondering why you chose to glass over ALL of the bigger openings rather than create sealed lockable exterior storage compartments in a few of the lower ones? Even shallow like 3"-6" deep would allow for some lockable storage without sacrificing very much interior space. Fun stuff!
Great question! We did leave two large openings where we will have lockable storage. The other openings were in spots that we did need the interior space or it didn't make sense because they were too high and we would need a ladder to reach them. We'll be sharing more details on the locking storage in a few weeks (fingers crossed)!
I am very much relieved at the safety precautions you guys took. That is hazardous work. I hope you didn't simply dump the black tank in the "dump". That's considered toxic waste and it is a serious crime to dispose of in that manner. Please, do not admit any guilt.
Oh no bondo on fiberglass it will crack with in a few years or more the flex and bumps will make it crack ive done auto repair for 26 years they make a poly fiber bondo it’s a blueish green color it’s made for bondoing fiber glass but it flex’s with it
I never would of thought of re-glassing those holes. Great job. I have a 1979 Transvan on instagram @Kylepemrick, Cheers can't wait to see where this goes.
great job you guys aren't afraid of anything no fear GREAT job looks great
HAHA I certainly felt scared working on these holes but we got through it!
I love the ingenuity and diligence both in how you are creating this content for us all but as we observe the process of renovation that you both are doing. So many great practical tips. Proud of both of you.
Thank you Ron!
Thank you so much for videoing your process! I know how the story ends for this girl, but its a godsend still for renovating a truck camper. Best!
Thank you so much!
Good job on the fiberglassing! 🤗
Can’t wait!!! Used to have a VW also, just got tired of replacing engines. My Sunrader much better!!! Have a 1985 with a carburetor and still get 15-17 miles to the gallon. Do you have 15 inch rims in the rear? Just got some custom made.
Awesome work, that thing's gonna be nice when yall are done.
Thank you so much! We are so excited!
Your work is so great! (the videos and the projects)
Thank you soooooo much!
Amazing! I saw you fiberglassing the bumper on insta, and we just came to the conclusion that it might be the best fix for our roof. Awesome that you did this video!!! Thanks again for trail blazing!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad that the videos are helpful for you!
I did the same process on my 18' Sunrader including removing the roof rail and ladder which left many holes for water to intrude. Good job. I purchased my materials from Discount Marina in Jax.
Oh that is awesome! Glad we are all int he same boat. We have sourced things from Jamestown Distributers, Amazon, and West Marine when we are in a pitch!
Happy to see a new upload! Everything is looking awesome :) Crazy how much work it takes just to get a truly clean slate in there.
Yah, I don't think we were even expecting that...hopefully one of these days we'll finally put something back in Amelia ;)
Hey there, I have a Toyota Sunrader that I’m fiberglassing in some of the windows and such. Apparently the link was lost to the blog that you attached to this video. What kind of compound did you use for the fairing? I’m a big fan of these videos you’ve posted of renovating the Sunrader. Thank you for sharing your content.
Great video! Quick question, do you remove the backing once your fiberglass is hardened? Thank you!
Wow ..ya'll are really doing a good job
AH! Thank you so much we are slowly making our way towards a finished product! We can't wait!
Nice job here too!
Thank you! Picking up all sorts of new skills along the way!
Awesome stuff. Subscribed!
Yayy! Welcome!
awww why was the blogpost removed?!
How much resin did you end up using? A quart? A gallon?
And how much and what kind of fiberglass did you use?
Thanks!
What kind of insulation did you use and where did you get it?
Thinsulate and we got it off of Ebay of all places
You are awesome!
Hi Nice work on the rader! I have one myself and my front windows are leaking pretty bad. Can you tell me where you got the new seals for them? Thanks
If you go back to the video in the description it will take you to our blog post with the full equipment list in links!
What weight fabric are you using? I buy all my stuff from Aircraft Spruce when I have such a project. I had no idea the RVs had so much composite work.
Well the body portion of our rig is fiberglass so that is why we have needed to do so much fiberglassing. The Dolphin versions of these however are corigated metal, but we love this style because of how light the fiberglass body is. I used Biaxial Cloth that was 17 oz and 3/4 oz mat. The chop mat that I used here and there is 1/2 oz!
Boy, you guys are industrial, why didn’t you leave it stock? Can’t wait to see finished product.
Thanks Steve! We decided to renovate for several reasons.
-The appliances in the camper were old and needed to be replaced
-We wanted everything to be electric except the stove which meant new batteries with higher capacity and a solar set up. We also are dropping from two propane tanks to one.
-We are eliminating the bathroom. The last two years in our van we haven't felt like we really needed it.
So with those things it just made sense to start over and have the interior modernized to suit our needs since we will be living in it full time. The rear seating area will remain the same layout and the kitchen will be similar to before but the driver side is going to be a lot different. We are going to be sharing plans soon so stay tuned!
I didn't see you use a top layer of dacron. Dacron captures excess resin float, especially the sticky uncured layer. After the resin has cured, you pull off the dacron, and you are left with a dry textured surface, ready for painting or another layer of fiberglass. I learned composites from a master machinist who built his own airplane (rear wing Canard) and about seven SAE Motorsports racecars for the college of engineering.
Wow. I have never heard of that, but I just looked it up! That is amazing, I don't know how I didn't come across that in my research. I saved it though because for anything else this looks like an invaluable step! Thank you so much for this!
Great job! Liked and Subscribed!
Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy the videos!
Fiberglass work is a pain. Good job. Wish that was my Toyota.
Thank you so much, it's a lot of work, but it's so worth it to fill those body holes!
I'll be watching your progress on my, I mean, your camper....LOL
You might not be a pro but you made it look like you are. I don't think it could have turned out any better.
Haha! Glad I come off that way, there were a few practice rounds that happened to get me to the point were I would touch the Sunrader with fiberglass!
Nice, subbed.
Yay!
Sub'd to see where you are going with this refurb and final interior layout. I'm a wondering why you chose to glass over ALL of the bigger openings rather than create sealed lockable exterior storage compartments in a few of the lower ones? Even shallow like 3"-6" deep would allow for some lockable storage without sacrificing very much interior space. Fun stuff!
Great question! We did leave two large openings where we will have lockable storage. The other openings were in spots that we did need the interior space or it didn't make sense because they were too high and we would need a ladder to reach them. We'll be sharing more details on the locking storage in a few weeks (fingers crossed)!
nice work sweety ! :-)
I am very much relieved at the safety precautions you guys took. That is hazardous work. I hope you didn't simply dump the black tank in the "dump". That's considered toxic waste and it is a serious crime to dispose of in that manner. Please, do not admit any guilt.
nice
like #150
woop woop
I really appreciate your enthusiasm my friend!
Oh no bondo on fiberglass it will crack with in a few years or more the flex and bumps will make it crack ive done auto repair for 26 years they make a poly fiber bondo it’s a blueish green color it’s made for bondoing fiber glass but it flex’s with it
I never would of thought of re-glassing those holes. Great job. I have a 1979 Transvan on instagram @Kylepemrick, Cheers can't wait to see where this goes.
Oh that is awesome! We too are excited about finished product, of which we hope to arrive at soon!