Replacing roof hatches

[Pedro_The_Swift]

All right all you handymen,
best way of removing
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/898.jpg

old (pushup) hatch?
can it be done from inside?
best way of getting rid of old silicone?

[Chops]

It'll probably need to have any rivets drilled out first, and you may find the old silicone will just break away. If not, a good box cutter type knife and cut around all the edges as best you can. It will need to have a fairly long blade as a "Stanley knife" blade will probably be too short to get in far enough.
When it's out, the best way of removing the old silicone will be to lightly wire brush, as in a drill type. This will give you speed, but don't put a lot of pressure on it, otherwise you'll do damage to the surfaces.

Hope this helps.

[Mick_Marsh]

When it's out, the best way of removing the old silicone will be to lightly wire brush, as in a drill type. This will give you speed, but don't put a lot of pressure on it, otherwise you'll do damage to the surfaces.
What about one of those green nylon scourers?

[Chops]

Yeah you could use one of those if you like Mick, but I would think it'll be a very long tiring process. Now if you had one that fits a drill ;)

[Mick_Marsh]

Yeah you could use one of those if you like Mick, but I would think it'll be a very long tiring process. Now if you had one that fits a drill ;)
They do. I'm sure GG uses one. I think I've seen them in Bunnings.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/893.jpg

[Chops]

Your a bit sneaky making sure your little lights off ;)

Yes, Bunnings do sell them, and they will work well too, they just don't last as long as steel or brass brushes. We go through heaps at work cleaning down, so the steel jobs are what we use here.

[Mick_Marsh]

Your a bit sneaky making sure your little lights off ;)
Well, there's usually no one at home anyway, or so I am told.

[Chops]

How'd you go with this Pedro, all good?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Pushy!!!:p

[Chops]

I'm sorry, I hang my head in shame :dbcry:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Probably me should be doing that--:p

[Cap]

Here you go Pedro, one we did on my old mans Franklin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvgq-aJ9vU0&index=6&list=PL6LiK5ZbKVXGJunPBoYKkz1w0MBQ43u7H

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Great Job:D

I imagine my roof will be similar,,
a 500mm meranti timber square,
my hatch is all plastic so the
hatch/U extrusion will have no rivets.
I'm worried mine will be harder to remove as it's probably around the first time of silastic.

[Chucaro]

Pedro, remove all the rivets or screws and cut the silicone using a fine piano wire id a blade is not good.
Use mineral turps to clean and making soft the silicone.
It will take only drinking 6 o 7 cans of beer and the hatch will be out.

[Homestar]

Pedro, maybe it's about time you joined us (Me, Chucaro, Cap, Double Chevron and Mick_Marsh) over at the classic caravan forum - plenty of good advice for just such things there, even if your van isn't technically a 'Classic ' (yet;) )

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