Looking for RV Supplies, Remodeling

[ArizonaRoamer]

Good day all. I am celebrating my little Class C 21st year by doing some remodeling..... well, maybe modernization is a better word. To start, I am trying to replacement trim and I am not even sure what to call the molding. T- Molding?

Any advice would be great.




In the end, I am getting rid of the brass color. Starting with the drawer handles. And this trim, I would love to replace it. My motor home was made in 95. Teal was quite the rage back then and it is full of it. I dont mind, and I do like it, but I want to add some more contemporary colors, such darker trim, brushed metal handles and some point, replace the carpet in the middle with a darker gray hard floor.

[ArizonaRoamer]

Wow, Im learning all kinds of things.

I wouldnt mind a wood look, Im just trying to shake the time with brass. Also, on the counter top in the kitchen, (its small) and on the dining table, I have brass trim as well. With the counter top and the table, I am actually leaning toward black. I have enough with the black stove and window frames, I think it would like good. The cabinets, on the other hand, might be a one of those that just takes a while to find something I like.

[DrewE]

ArizonaRoamer wrote:
Actually, the T molding is not falling away. I have to pry it out. In fact, there is one section where I have pulled it out and put it back a few times to measure, etc.

You got me thinking about the Veneer. I will take a look and see if that could work. Thanks!

:: edit, I am not sure, why but signature isnt showing. Earlier posts it does. I have link to a few more pictures in a another thread I started.

I think the forum software only puts the signature on your first post in any thread, and omits it from any further posts you make in that same thread. It also updates the signature everywhere when you change it. (In other words, the signature is not part of the post proper, but it just sticks on your current signature when it shows the thread.)

Iron-on veneer edging works nicely if you have a fairly smooth surface to adhere it to. I've used it on plywood shelf edges with success. It might work for you if you sand down the edge of the particle board lightly to smooth it out.

You might also look at the preformed moldings and similar at e.g. Home Depot or Lowes. They have some that are PVC wrapped in vinyl that mimic the fake wood in motorhomes very closely. I don't know offhand if they have T moldings, particularly ones that would be able to be bent around a corner effectively, but they do have flat ones that could be glued or pin-nailed in place, as well as corners and half rounds and such like. I've used the corner molding in my motorhome and it looks exactly like the factory trim (which, for mine, is not accented with brass). Of course, if you're trying to get away from the factory look, that's not necessarily a positive trait.

[ArizonaRoamer]

Actually, the T molding is not falling away. I have to pry it out. In fact, there is one section where I have pulled it out and put it back a few times to measure, etc.

You got me thinking about the Veneer. I will take a look and see if that could work. Thanks!

::edit, I am not sure, why but signature isnt showing. Earlier posts it does. I have link to a few more pictures in a another thread I started.

[Gdetrailer]

ArizonaRoamer wrote:
Thanks for the advice. Much needed. The width of the cabinets is only 5/8th of an inch and the T-grove molding, is the way I am leading. There is no warping, the RV has spent the last 11 or years here in Arizona. That said, trying to glue the strip perfectly, I just dont see it happening and being durable. The wood edge is fairly rough.

I admit, Im kinda torn but I found myself leading toward just regular black. The kitchen counter has black oven top and I have a black molding on the on the fridge, plus black speaker covers. Taking out all of the molding and going to plain black would work. My over all finished concept is to darken it up a bit, I have brushed metal for drawer pulls now and want to do a charcoal colored/patterned floor.

At the moment, it comes out easy and I imagine I can reinstall the black with low commitment. Then keep my eyes out for something that I really like.

I will for sure keep it up dated. I started a thread in the DIY where I will be posting pictures of my progress.

Glue on veneer edging is 3/4" so it is WIDER than what you need, no need to be super precise. Glue it on as straight as possible starting with a little extra on both sides.

Once glue has cooled it will be set in place, you can trim excess off with a razor knife.

As I mentioned, the reason the plastic "T" edge is falling away is from the MDF, not the plastic edging failing. Putting new "T" edging in place most likely end up with it also pulling out of the grooves. If you measured the gap in the MDF you will find that it is narrow at the bottom of the groove but has widened out at the edges. It is a one and done thing with MDF.

You would be shocked at how good that heat glue holds the veneer and so far I have not had any of the veneer edging come loose on my rebuild.

[ArizonaRoamer]

Thanks for the advice. Much needed. The width of the cabinets is only 5/8th of an inch and the T-grove molding, is the way I am leading. There is no warping, the RV has spent the last 11 or years here in Arizona. That said, trying to glue the strip perfectly, I just dont see it happening and being durable. The wood edge is fairly rough.

I admit, Im kinda torn but I found myself leading toward just regular black. The kitchen counter has black oven top and I have a black molding on the on the fridge, plus black speaker covers. Taking out all of the molding and going to plain black would work. My over all finished concept is to darken it up a bit, I have brushed metal for drawer pulls now and want to do a charcoal colored/patterned floor.

At the moment, it comes out easy and I imagine I can reinstall the black with low commitment. Then keep my eyes out for something that I really like.

I will for sure keep it up dated. I started a thread in the DIY where I will be posting pictures of my progress.

[Roy_Lynne]

Please keep us informed how the updating goes, I'd love to do the same with our rig

[Gdetrailer]

Chris Bryant wrote:
You might check out Rockler- http://www.rockler.com/wood/edge-banding.

From this link, they do have the "T" molding, but I would caution you..

There is most likely nothing wrong with the existing plastic molding..

It is most likely the MDF (Medium Density Fiber)or particle board panel under the molding has swelled and deformed from the high humidity often found in a RV. It is the nature of MDF or "particle" board to swell then shrink at high rates when exposed to moisture. Trying to fit new "T" molding in the same slot will most likely result in the new molding coming loose again.

MDF also makes a poor choice for nailing or screwing into from the edges, it simply will split open.. Gluing veneer edging on really is your best choice and will most likely result in a longer term fix.

The downside is the wood veneer edge will make the rest of the plastic vinyl covered cabinets kind of cheap looking

[Chris_Bryant]

You might check out Rockler- http://www.rockler.com/wood/edge-banding.

[Gdetrailer]

ArizonaRoamer wrote:
Good day all. I am celebrating my little Class C 21st year by doing some remodeling..... well, maybe modernization is a better word. To start, I am trying to replacement trim and I am not even sure what to call the molding. T- Molding?

Any advice would be great.




In the end, I am getting rid of the brass color. Starting with the drawer handles. And this trim, I would love to replace it. My motor home was made in 95. Teal was quite the rage back then and it is full of it. I dont mind, and I do like it, but I want to add some more contemporary colors, such darker trim, brushed metal handles and some point, replace the carpet in the middle with a darker gray hard floor.

Cheap plastic edging, yuk.

Instead of buying more of that cheap looking simulated wood edging you could buy glue on wood veneer..

Looks like this..



It IS real wood veneer (extremely thin slice of wood) and has heat activated adhesive on the back side. You use a Iron that you would normally use to iron clothes with to heat the veneer and press it to whatever you are applying the veneer to.

Once veneer is in place you can use wood stain and sealer to finish to the color that matches your existing cabinets..

Lowes has it HERE for a roll 3/4" wide by 25ft birch for $6.58.

Personally in most cases you do not need a RV place to get things for your RV when upgrading the interior.. My entire trailer is 90%+ upgraded from Lowes and Home Depot.

For drawer and cabinet knobs and pulls just go to your local big box store and pick out what you like and will fit.. You will get much higher quality for less cost than a RV store.