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Topic: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question. (Read 815 times) previous topic - next topic

Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

OK two part question. One is what is the finish and how to take care of the wood interior? And two-how does one replace the Door bell button? Does it come out after you remove the wood paneling or do you pry it out on the outside?
Rig is a 92 U225.
1992 U225 36'
Build #4134
1987 Rockwood 32'
Ham radio/Motorcycles and old cars
Both of us are Retired
Married 32 years
Other half is "Old Toolmaker"
Dog named Duke.

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #1
Strong suggestion:  Remove the door bell button (just carefully pry it out). Replace with blind plug.

Also, remove the positive wire from the door bell (upper cabinet), as it is a common cause of FIRE. The door bell button closes the circuit and causes the door bell solenoid to energize.  If water shorts out the door bell button (common failure) the solenoid stays energized until it overheats!

A door bell in a coach is, for most of us NOT a requirement. And removing the door bell frees up a little more overhead storage.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #2
OK sounds good pry it out and toss. And remove door chimes and toss. Now for the wood....
1992 U225 36'
Build #4134
1987 Rockwood 32'
Ham radio/Motorcycles and old cars
Both of us are Retired
Married 32 years
Other half is "Old Toolmaker"
Dog named Duke.


Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #4
If you have the typical FT walnut cabinetry, there is no finish.  No stain, no sealant etc.  Only an oil to moisturize and bring out the natural color & grain of the wood.  Do a search on the forum & you'll find several of options for various products that people use.  Here's a good recent example:

Foretravel recommended cabinet cleaner

We usually use a 50% linseed oil/turpentine mix.

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #5
This works
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #6
My manual recommended Orange glo spray.
Found at Wal-Mart
Tom Shannon
Ham Radio W7OT
1996 u295 (SOLD)
2007 Kia Spectra Ex 5spd (kiki)
Now in Apt

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #7
My door bell is one of my favorite parts of our coach. It just radiates how classy these coaches are. People love it, I always ring it as I am going in to show off the inside.

The button went bad, so I got a lighted one from the hardware store. Didn't even know it was lighted when I bought it. Looks way cool at night. Just drips luxury!

I did put a shut of switch at the control, it sometimes goes off in rain.

Cheers
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #8
. That's what we use on the Walnut, works great. A little goes a long ways. I got at a hardware store but don't remember which one.
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Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #9
Wood Doctor.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Lynn & Marilyn Sickel
Tollville, AR
1997  U320  40'
2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup
Motorcader  17257

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #10
. That's what we use on the Walnut, works great. A little goes a long ways. I got at a hardware store but don't remember which one.

Home Depot has it.


Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #12
ZEP wood doctor is an oily chemical nightmare. Hard to find and expensive too. One container of Howard's feed n wax will last years. No horrible smell.  Much less $$
howard's feed and wax - Google Search


The finish on Foretravel interior wood has been a spray applied low luster lacquer finish for a long time.  It is not a sanding sealer 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #13
We have been using Howard's and are very happy with it.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #14
I vote howards feed and wax, local ace has it.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #15
Thanks everyone, Looks like I will try Howards-I have used it before on my radios.
1992 U225 36'
Build #4134
1987 Rockwood 32'
Ham radio/Motorcycles and old cars
Both of us are Retired
Married 32 years
Other half is "Old Toolmaker"
Dog named Duke.

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #16
Quote
Remove the door bell button (just carefully pry it out). Replace with blind plug. Still worked!
I'm with Brett on this one. Here is what mine looked like on our last rig.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #17
A door bell in a coach is, for most of us NOT a requirement. And removing the door bell frees up a little more overhead storage.
I don't know if it was Brett that removed ours, or the next owner, but, I can't even see where a doorbell even existed outside! Bothers us NOT!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

 

Re: Wood finish and door bell switch/push button question.

Reply #18
In fair weather, if the door is open, we are home. If the door is closed we are gone or napping. Go away. :))
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD