Anyone refurbished their modern-ish caravan?
Discussion
I can't see that many people do this? Bored of the nursing home spec wallpaper and upholstery and the exterior needs attention.
Got a 2009 Bailey Senator. No damp and mechanically all good. On these the front and back panels are good GRP and stay looking well. They ALL get oxidised side (ali) panels, looks tired and old. So it's in and careful with a DA orbital polisher, or out to a specialist. Decals easy enough to replace if they don't clean up too.
Inside though, going to get the cushions and headboard professionally reupholstered in a more modern colourway/fabric.
Cabinets and fittings are fine.
It's the wallboards though, I want to paint over the care home beige splodge. Perhaps some stick on type 'tiles' over this sinks Put different blinds up front too as the stupid roller blinds are rubbish and brittle.
Anyone done similar on a van that still has some value or is everyone scared that messing with the interior will hit resale?
PICS please
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Got a 2009 Bailey Senator. No damp and mechanically all good. On these the front and back panels are good GRP and stay looking well. They ALL get oxidised side (ali) panels, looks tired and old. So it's in and careful with a DA orbital polisher, or out to a specialist. Decals easy enough to replace if they don't clean up too.
Inside though, going to get the cushions and headboard professionally reupholstered in a more modern colourway/fabric.
Cabinets and fittings are fine.
It's the wallboards though, I want to paint over the care home beige splodge. Perhaps some stick on type 'tiles' over this sinks Put different blinds up front too as the stupid roller blinds are rubbish and brittle.
Anyone done similar on a van that still has some value or is everyone scared that messing with the interior will hit resale?
PICS please
:I wonder if is wise to “makeover “ the interior and change the finishes , at sell on time your taste “may” not suit a future buyer , a through clean , perhaps OEM fabrics to replace worn or damaged . Replacement cassette blinds , will operate better than the original fitted .
Upgrading lighting is a good bet , with concealed LED strip and more modern LED caravan lights .
Most of the above I have done over the time , and although the caravan is fresher , it still retains a nod to the ex factory look
Upgrading lighting is a good bet , with concealed LED strip and more modern LED caravan lights .
Most of the above I have done over the time , and although the caravan is fresher , it still retains a nod to the ex factory look
What you need to be careful of is the wall boarding make up. A lot of caravan and motorhome wall boarding has a finish with a high plastic content so simply papering over or painting is a bit more involved.
I have known people who use normal paper, get it to stick but then it does soak up condensation. I did our Motorhome ceiling with a good quality bathroom paper and that is fine so far, but took of the old covering so it is stuck to the ply underneath, which took forever to get the old glue off.
As other have said some do not like anything out of the norm so keep it simple. A good tip is to look at new caravans as they are a guide to what people like if you need to resell
I have known people who use normal paper, get it to stick but then it does soak up condensation. I did our Motorhome ceiling with a good quality bathroom paper and that is fine so far, but took of the old covering so it is stuck to the ply underneath, which took forever to get the old glue off.
As other have said some do not like anything out of the norm so keep it simple. A good tip is to look at new caravans as they are a guide to what people like if you need to resell
Right, we made a start
Outside. Like all pre-Alutech Baileys, it needed DA polishing the oxidisation off the aluminium sides. How hugely rewarding!
On the offside here, you can clearly see I've just done the bottom third.
Both sides polished and with a wax applied and buffed by hand.
It's soft paint, so easy does it with the machine (DAS-6 Pro here). The DA also made light work of restoring the acrylic windows which were covered in scratches, especially the front ones.
Whilst polishing the side panels, the DA cleaned up the decals a treat, but the fronts are all cracked so we will be firstly removed, and then if it looks too bare, replaced. Neither front or rear GRP panels need polishing.
Top tip. The side lockers where very yellowed. Autoglym Caravan and Motorhome cleaner is amazing! You can actually see the yellow running off when you apply it.
Moving inside, our van came with the optional U-seating extra cushions. So from this
to this. Of course being unused they aren't UV-faded like the other cushions They are all getting re-upholstered in a more modern contrasting fabric, along with the headboard.
You can see here we've removed the troublesome Remis front blinds. We'd already removed all the curtains; we've also removed the curtain tracks from the front window. We want to replace with a single blind, preferably a spring loaded domestic roller blind with a couple of simple clips at the bottom.
The hearing aid beige wall board wallpaper is taking nicely to 3 coats of Dulux Kitchens Cotton White paint applied meticulously my my steady handed wife. No shots of that yet but this is a 'before' shot of it with the now Un-Remised blinded front windows.
Plenty of other bits to attend to. There's a daft internal window into the bedroom with a crap venetian blind. We've removed the blind and will fill that hole with something and add some storage. Shot also shows the headboard, also to be re-upholstered.
So, an eventful and rewarding start to our refresh. Our aim is to not want to be changing the van just for something more modern looking/less tired.
Outside. Like all pre-Alutech Baileys, it needed DA polishing the oxidisation off the aluminium sides. How hugely rewarding!
On the offside here, you can clearly see I've just done the bottom third.
Both sides polished and with a wax applied and buffed by hand.
It's soft paint, so easy does it with the machine (DAS-6 Pro here). The DA also made light work of restoring the acrylic windows which were covered in scratches, especially the front ones.
Whilst polishing the side panels, the DA cleaned up the decals a treat, but the fronts are all cracked so we will be firstly removed, and then if it looks too bare, replaced. Neither front or rear GRP panels need polishing.
Top tip. The side lockers where very yellowed. Autoglym Caravan and Motorhome cleaner is amazing! You can actually see the yellow running off when you apply it.
Moving inside, our van came with the optional U-seating extra cushions. So from this
to this. Of course being unused they aren't UV-faded like the other cushions They are all getting re-upholstered in a more modern contrasting fabric, along with the headboard.
You can see here we've removed the troublesome Remis front blinds. We'd already removed all the curtains; we've also removed the curtain tracks from the front window. We want to replace with a single blind, preferably a spring loaded domestic roller blind with a couple of simple clips at the bottom.
The hearing aid beige wall board wallpaper is taking nicely to 3 coats of Dulux Kitchens Cotton White paint applied meticulously my my steady handed wife. No shots of that yet but this is a 'before' shot of it with the now Un-Remised blinded front windows.
Plenty of other bits to attend to. There's a daft internal window into the bedroom with a crap venetian blind. We've removed the blind and will fill that hole with something and add some storage. Shot also shows the headboard, also to be re-upholstered.
So, an eventful and rewarding start to our refresh. Our aim is to not want to be changing the van just for something more modern looking/less tired.
Yes, seen a few videos for inspiration. Missus has been popping over to paint the wallboards, it's going well albeit slowly seeing as it's an hour round trip each way to the storage yard.
Upholsterers are so busy at the moment. We'll likely get all our work done in time for our August bank holiday trip, then get the upholstery done in the winter.
Spring roller blind for the front window is ordered in light grey blackout to match the side concertina blinds which are staying (they are an integral part of the window, pic below*). Spring loaded, it will hold down to the window board with a pair of c-cup hooks into eye pad bolts. I'll space it out from the windows enough to be able to re-fit the Remis blinds for resale if necessary.
.*Side windows all have integrated concertina blinds. These are fine, good job as they can't easily be changed. pic of one removed for wallboard painting.
|https://thumbsnap.com/uaaGtDpt[/url]
At the weekend I hope to de-sticker the front and polish it up and wax the remaining panels. The wallboard paint should be done by then. I've a panel to make for the bedroom internal window; I will cut down one of the leaves from the sliding table mounted on to the front chest of drawers which has been removed for the U-seating, and fix a couple wire baskets on this to hold keys, remotes and chargers. (The 'van also has a free standing folding dining table for here). New Cello 19" TV/dvd to fit on to the revolving panel above this.
I should be able to stick some pics up at the weekend.[url]
Upholsterers are so busy at the moment. We'll likely get all our work done in time for our August bank holiday trip, then get the upholstery done in the winter.
Spring roller blind for the front window is ordered in light grey blackout to match the side concertina blinds which are staying (they are an integral part of the window, pic below*). Spring loaded, it will hold down to the window board with a pair of c-cup hooks into eye pad bolts. I'll space it out from the windows enough to be able to re-fit the Remis blinds for resale if necessary.
.*Side windows all have integrated concertina blinds. These are fine, good job as they can't easily be changed. pic of one removed for wallboard painting.
|https://thumbsnap.com/uaaGtDpt[/url]At the weekend I hope to de-sticker the front and polish it up and wax the remaining panels. The wallboard paint should be done by then. I've a panel to make for the bedroom internal window; I will cut down one of the leaves from the sliding table mounted on to the front chest of drawers which has been removed for the U-seating, and fix a couple wire baskets on this to hold keys, remotes and chargers. (The 'van also has a free standing folding dining table for here). New Cello 19" TV/dvd to fit on to the revolving panel above this.
I should be able to stick some pics up at the weekend.[url]
Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 23 July 12:33
littlebasher said:
Just a thought, if you're going to the effort - perhaps its worth changing the window seals while you're there
They're known to fail over time, and if you're already working there........
it's only 4 screws to remove each side blind + interior window trim complete assembly. Seals sounds like hard work and I'd probably make it worse! Fronts were done recently during warranty damp repair. Luckily we have scored undercover storage from next month so water ingress (and further UV damage) will be less of a worry.They're known to fail over time, and if you're already working there........
Getting there
It's cost a few days labour, some paint and polish and not much else so far.
Threw our cheap throws over the cushions for now. We (well, SWMBO to be accurate) are going to have a go making these look a bit better / semi fitted before shelling out for a reupholster. That way, is also reversible for resale. Full width front cordless roller blind is ordered in light grey blackout. We've removed and stored the cream snap-in carpets and will get a small rug for up front.
The wallboard painting is nearly done. Don't be scared of doing this, it's really worked well. Test a hidden bit first and remove things like blinds instead of trying to paint round them. 3 coats of Dulux Easycare Kitchens cotton white. Clock panel had grim beige faux suede. Painted in 3 coats of grey gloss - took DAYS to dry! Panel was 4 screws to remove.
New TV in and panel to cover the bedroom 'window' that originally had that odd venetian blind.
Stick on tiles worked well. £40 for a pack from Amazon; enough for here and a bathroom splashback.
Front panel decals are not coming off easily with a hairdryer. Luckily the 'Series 6' ones did, so they're off all round. The outside is now all restored, polished and waxed.
It's cost a few days labour, some paint and polish and not much else so far.
Threw our cheap throws over the cushions for now. We (well, SWMBO to be accurate) are going to have a go making these look a bit better / semi fitted before shelling out for a reupholster. That way, is also reversible for resale. Full width front cordless roller blind is ordered in light grey blackout. We've removed and stored the cream snap-in carpets and will get a small rug for up front.
The wallboard painting is nearly done. Don't be scared of doing this, it's really worked well. Test a hidden bit first and remove things like blinds instead of trying to paint round them. 3 coats of Dulux Easycare Kitchens cotton white. Clock panel had grim beige faux suede. Painted in 3 coats of grey gloss - took DAYS to dry! Panel was 4 screws to remove.
New TV in and panel to cover the bedroom 'window' that originally had that odd venetian blind.
Stick on tiles worked well. £40 for a pack from Amazon; enough for here and a bathroom splashback.
Front panel decals are not coming off easily with a hairdryer. Luckily the 'Series 6' ones did, so they're off all round. The outside is now all restored, polished and waxed.
Looks great.
We did a similar project on a 2010 Swift and one of the biggest changes was the carpets.
We took the old beige fitted carpets to a carpet shop that had loads of large off cuts and they cut them out (using our old carpets as a guide) and whipped the edges of a nice modern grey luxury twist pile carpet.
It looked fantastic and really changed the inside.
We did a similar project on a 2010 Swift and one of the biggest changes was the carpets.
We took the old beige fitted carpets to a carpet shop that had loads of large off cuts and they cut them out (using our old carpets as a guide) and whipped the edges of a nice modern grey luxury twist pile carpet.
It looked fantastic and really changed the inside.
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