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Wall fastener advice for Newbie

I spent the last several months fixing mechanical things that are familiar. I am now moving to interior things. Got the TV's out, etc. we have new sconce light fixtures and it dawned on me, what types of fasteners, screws, etc or just general advice on attaching things to exterior walls are important? I am just being over cautious since I want to maintain the beautiful interior and my wife will murder me.

Sorry for the dumb question. I am in a park with 100 * temps and working on inside projects today. My DW wants her new lights mounted.

Thanks in advance.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #1 –
The interior walls are a thin plywood, likely 1/4" thick which is bonded to the steel wall structure and the foam insulation. The interior may be covered with a finished wood (not sure when that stopped) or a vinyl wall covering which may be padded or hard surfaced.  Unless you are trying to hit the steel structure use a strong magnet (some better stud finders will do) to located the steel structure.  Mark with blue tape so you know where to avoid.  I would pre drill a pilot hole of the appropriate size for your screw and use a hand screw driver to put the screw in tight without stripping it.  A #6 or #8 screw should be plenty big, 3/4" should be plenty long.  You can put a drop of wood glue on the screw threads when you put it in, sort of acts like LocTite.

If you are just mounting a picture or something light you can try the 3M Command strips.  They work well and are removable without marring the wall.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #2 –
Thanks, just what I thought but want to respect the coach.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #3 –
Sorry for the dumb question.
Thanks in advance.

[/quote]
No "dumb Questions"

That does not apply to answers though
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Alan & Gerri Ortiz –
Thanks, just what I thought but want to respect the coach.
Alan,
From your original post I think you may have misled us with your answer or you had a lapse in judgement,
"I am just being over cautious since I want to maintain the beautiful interior and my wife will murder me."

so may I suggest that you modify your answer so that you will be around a bit longer.
"Thanks, just what I thought but want to respect the coach wife."
:D

Good luck,
Rick

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #5 –
I missed the "and".  Alan might be feeling under the gun to get this done but let's not get carried away.

If you are replacing old light fixtures you will have holes to cover up anyway.  I don't know what happens to the walnut interiors as they age, does the wood change color?  We have cherry in our coach and when you remove whatever was mounted on the cherry the color of the wood underneath is lighter.  It I am mounting something smaller I have made a thin (1/4"-3/8") solid cherry wood panel big enough to cover the lighter colored spot that ia stained and finished to match the surrounding color.  Looks good, Works well.

Post a picture of your wall lights and a source.  We are looking.  Thanks.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #6 –
We have the vinyl wallpaper that is a light shade of cream? When I removed the original wall lamp, I modified the mounting plate to accept the new light and voila, new sconce with extra firm mount.

We got it through the Camping World drop shipped from ITC  and their designer series (a 12 v marine or RV lights) and it was called a Willow Pinup Light.

Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Alan & Gerri Ortiz –
We got it through the Camping World drop shipped from ITC  and their designer series (a 12 v marine or RV lights) and it was called a Willow Pinup Light.

I Googled it and found it comes in both the nickel/black and "truffle" which is dark brown (ORB?) with a copper backing plate (might be nice with cherry).  Am I correct reading ITC's catalog that the glass shade needs to be spec'd separately?  I have the catalog downloaded.

It's a gorgeous light fixture - does it take the basic wedge base bulb?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: Wall fastener advice for Newbie

Reply #8 –
We got the nickel/black that came with an alabaster shade/dome. The nickel part is also a hammered finish. Very cool. I didn't spec anything separate it all came together in the box. Yes, it is a wedge base bulb. A little too bright for me but the DW likes it. I haven't seen the other color option in person so can't speak to that. PS, I contacted ITC direct via email and they gave me the CW part number so I could drop ship order from them. They (ITC) were very helpful.

Enjoy!
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399