Meeting a stablemate...

Click for bigger pic

Okay I agree it's a bit nerdy, but when you chance upon a van in a service-station car park with almost the same registration as yours, you have to take a photo!

AF06JZN seems to be having a harder paper-round than AF06JZX and was looking a little tired at three and half years old.

Carpet questions...

I've noticed a couple of people on the Brickyard forum have been using this blog as a guide to insulating and carpeting their vans. Whilst feeling flattered this is also freaking me out a bit as any day now I'm expecting someone to track me down and show me their badly followed attempts!!!

Remember kids; Stone174 accepts no responsibility for your DIY ability, Stone174 also has very few DIY skills too!

Here's a few of the questions (and hopefully correct answers) I've had:

1. Did you stick multiple layers of flashing tape on the metal parts of the van? You said you used four rolls (no idea what sized rolls mind you!) which seems loads unless you used lots of layers to build up the weight?

Yep, flashing tape went on floor, side panels and roof. When you remove the grey VW interior panels you should see their stingy amount of sound-deadening that VW provided (probably over-sprayed in your van's colour). It's just a case of adding more. I went for double thickness in the 'dips' in the roof ridges. The rolls come in various widths and lengths (and prices), have a look here: Flashing strip from Wickes
If you're really serious about sound I would then suggest a layer of Dynamat sound proofing, but it was out of my price range at the time.

2. How easy is Celotex to cut? I've not seen any in the flesh yet and it looks like a great option, but I want to make sure I have the skills and tools to cut it. I'm not great at this DIY stuff!

Celotex will cut with a breadknife! I too am no DIY expert!!!

3. I have a Kombi which means I don't have the nice large wooden panels covering all the bits that you have. I have the grey panels and lots of bits of metal work. How easy do you think it will be to carpet it given this fact? Do you think I should buy some plywood to add in to the van, or should I just carpet straight over the top of everything when I'm done insulating?

If possible I would go the ply-panel route. There's loads of people up and down the country that should be able to supply pre-cut ply for you such as: PlylineUK
I think the grey VW panels are too flimsy to hold the weight of carpet - don't bin them though, they do a nice job of holding all the insulation in.
Choosing the right carpet is a big factor. Vansport in Penzance do a great range of automotive lining carpet; this stuff has elastic woven in it to make it workable around corners and uneven surfaces - I would highly recommend it.
Carpeting straight over the top of everything sounds a little drastic. The ply-panel route means I can easily remove a panel, check the insulation (and replace if necessary) run any addition wiring for switches, lights, sockets etc at a later date.

I'm quite happy for anyone to 'steal' my ideas; It's only a collection of techniques I've seen on other vans over time anyway!!!!

October update

Just a quick post to say there's not much happening on the van at the moment, although it is being used for it's intended purposes; weekends away, mountainbike trips, vw shows etc.

I'm in the process of initial sketches for the interior layout, also hoping to swap the front twin seat for a single (with swivel base), alloys wheels are being mulled-over for fitment next Spring and money is being saved for all the above! As mentioned before; this is no 'open-chequebook' conversion.

Having said that, there is a potential wallet-emptying weekend just around the corner: November 1st sees a first for the Volkswagen show scene, Busfreeze. Busfreeze is the sister-show to Dubfreeze which takes place in February and is often seen as the opening show of the season, a time to meet up with old friends and buy much-needed parts. Busfreeze will be just the opposite; a closer for the season, time to hibernate for the Winter.