The cabinets over the windshield appear to have had a thin panel covering the wire chases and insulation. Some of these are missing and I'd like to find replacements. In some cases I want to mount electronic displays and switches in panel cutouts I'd customize.
Are these readily available?
Thanks
Find a really good hardwood dealer that supplies custom cabinet shops. If they don't have it in stock, should be able to order
Len
Rockler has 1/4" walnut plywood.
Walnut Plywood 24'' x 48'' | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware (http://www.rockler.com/24-x-48-walnut-plywood)
Should be able to find similar stuff in your area.
Hi
The stuff FT used is long gone.When I did my wanes coating, I found 4x8 sheets of walnut at Windsor Plywood in Spokane WA. It was $80.00 a sheet, and very thin. Like 1/8th inch. I had my paint store mix stain to match, then clear coated it. It's close, but different style then the stuff FT used.Grain is different.(see picture of bedroom)
I also searched the world for walnut trim, surprising not many places carry it. I ripped and router'd my own.
Personally, I would just make those piece's out of 1/8" panel, paint them black, or upholster them in brown or black.
Chris
Fortunately, the previous owner gave me a 4x8 sheet of the FT walnut, I used it on the main side in the living room.Then I fabricated my own walnut for the bottom of the windows.
Chris
I have found here in mexico that their cedar panelling is very close to what our FT walnut looks like. The right wipe on finish and you really cannot tell much difference. I had a large door made at home by cabinet outfit for the front panel of the slide out cabinet I made alongside the Res fridge install a few years back. The grain has lightened up now and matches the rest exactly. Looks very OEM.
So it must be available in solid plank lengths.
JohnH
Yup, if it is inside a cabinet or where it is not readily visible, I would do the same. Flat black. Another option, as gracerace suggests is to upholster thin plywood (or luan) in a fabric complimentary to the interior.
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. If you are still looking for Walnut plywood, it is readily available from two sources in Houston. hardwood lumber company, and Houston Hardwoods. Not expensive and in stock.
We are believers that that inside wood panel should be left out to reduce the high heat from the space behind the top of the front cap.
Hi,
I'm a newbie to ForeTravel and was perusing this thread with curiosity. I just completed a renovation of the forward upper cabs which included removing the TV cab and re-sizing it to fit a concealed flat screen TV. Looks like a bookcase now until the bottom of cab opens and the TV drops down through it. (I have a few pictures of the build process. I will dig up what I have and compose a description/process, including materials and post to forum) (Fortunately I had scrap ForeTravel wood paneling from a renovation in the bedroom, more on that later. A good wood sealant/finish I use is Daly's Profin. It will amber out nicely and is very easy to use. It hides scratches and nicks in the cabinet wood very well.)
I'm very interested in what Barry and Cindy said about heat build up in the front cap of the coach. Factory had very little to no insulation up there in my U270. Instead a mess of wires, a switching control box and surge protectors for Bose/ old CRT TV. Seems ForeTravel built coach without concern for heat build up in that area? All my upper cabs in the coach front had wood panel backing installed too. My TV lives inside there now. I'm wondering if I should be concerned. And/or has anyone experienced other possible damage issues regarding heat building up behind the front cap above the windshield?
Appreciate all comments, Thanks! It is good to be a forum member!
My coach still has the wood panels, and I have had no problems with heat buildup.
Wouldn't you have to leave the cabinet doors open as well Barry?
TV type makes a big difference. PO had Foretravel install 40 inch plasma. You could bake a cake in the overhead cabinet above it. Changed it out to LED and problem solved. LCD better than Plasma, but LED is the coolest and most energy efficient. Fact Check: LED TVs (http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/fact-check-led-tvs.html)
T, On our coach, our top front cabinet had smoke-color plexiglass hinged doors. We removed doors along with back wood panel, insulated what was bare fiberglass, and now our DVRs on one side are open to see, without any doors.
We also have 3 side-by-side muffin fans on top of DVRs with an inexpensive home A/C thermostat to turn fans on when area gets hot.
Two-thirds of the above dash area is covered by a 46" TV, mounted to aluminum structure. Space is also open behind TV.
We used the above two removed smoked plexiglass doors to make two stacked kitchen shelves.