Peeling wallpaper by the kitchen sink

casarodante · 04-22-2006, 06:31 PM

Well the latest project is to remove the wallpaper (it was peeling off anyway) off the side of our pantry (right next to the sink). I found a piece of stainless steel that came from a local restaurant that was remodeling. This required taking down the cabinet above the sink and stove. I will keep everyone posted with progress. Here is how it is now.

SilverToy · 04-23-2006, 01:45 AM

Roger -

That looks like it could be a really cool looking swap.

Can't tell from your photo, what is the scale for the possible insert piece. Would you have to follow that curve?? What method of attachment are you going with?

The insert should likely cover that bulkhead so that there is no damage from sink water splashing in the future - good find on that SS! Used is SO cool!

Keep those photos coming and post about the questions when you can.

Peace

Axel

casarodante · 04-23-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverToy

Roger -

That looks like it could be a really cool looking swap.

Can't tell from your photo, what is the scale for the possible insert piece. Would you have to follow that curve?? What method of attachment are you going with?

The insert should likely cover that bulkhead so that there is no damage from sink water splashing in the future - good find on that SS! Used is SO cool!

Keep those photos coming and post about the questions when you can.

Peace

Axel

The size of the wall (and hence the template [see photo]) is 27x40. The piece of steel is 44x54 so I have ample. I am going to take it, with the template, to a steel cutting shop tomorrow.

Naturally I will use rivets to attach it to the wall. The wall is the one that is part of the pantry. I will use backing washers to make sure I don't pull a hole through the wall. As an aside, we got this trailer from my parents in 2002. As I removed the pantry, I found some items behind it. A few cans of smoked oysters, one of sardines and the most interesting was a half-used package of cinnamon rolls, dated 1993! It pays to check behind your pantry!!

I got my Vulkem so I can seal it up real nice.

casarodante · 05-02-2006, 10:55 AM

I had the metal cut and finally get some time to try to get it to fit. The first photo shows how it came back from the cutter. The second photo is it in place (not secured yet) after my grinding. It only took about 5 iterations of test fitting to get it right. Now I have to clean it up and secure it. Much better than the wallpaper.

casarodante · 05-10-2006, 05:10 PM

Latest update.

I want to use rivets to secure it. The metal is about 1/8-1/4" thick, the wall around 1/2" and the washer to back it so the rivet doesn't pull through the wood is around 1/8-1/4" thick. I get the longest rivets I can find at the local home stores. It is the Arrow brand. Not long enough! I try it with out the washer but it pulls through the wood.

I check Arrow's website and that is the longest they make. Search the internet to find a place in SoCal (Hanson Rivet) that has a multitude of sizes. I call them to order. They want to know the EXACT length of all the pieces together. I was just winging it. So I have to take one more evening to measure. The entire length is 19/32". I call back and we figure out which one to get. I have to get 100. If anyone needs some long rivets, let me know!

I go back to my test pieces. It is long enough, yea! However the hole in my 1/8" backing washer is too big and the rivet pulls right back through. I get some #4 washers (thinner and smaller I.D.). Still pulls through it.

I make a sandwich. Not to eat but one the same metal on both sides of the wood. It works! So I have to make some backing pieces out of the leftover metal. Luckily I had them cut a few 1" wide strips for future use. I drilled about 15 holes about 2" apart on the strip. I am not cutting them in rectangular sections. However with my tin snips I can only do about 2 every 30 minutes. It just KILLS your hands.

Today I hope to drill the holes and mount this beast. I will put up photos. Then I can get on to the other projects.

SafeHarbor · 05-10-2006, 09:37 PM

Hi, Roger,

Cherry, the folks that make Cherrymax rivets, have a neat "grip gauge" that you can poke into a hole and partially withdraw to learn what size rivet to use.

Cherrymax are overkill to use on an Airstream, but you can order the grip guage from Aircraft Spruce and Specxality.

Overkill, by the way, is an understatement. Olympic rivets are a type of "split rivet" when set. Cherrymax are a solid shank "bulb" rivet. They are rather amazing for structural use on aircraft, but they are very hard to remove.

Lamar

casarodante · 05-10-2006, 10:41 PM

Here are the photos. The first is very similar to another one but the rivets are in, really. I only put in 15 rivets in specific places.

Second photo is a try at a close up on the rivets.

Third is inside the pantry. It shows how I used the pieces of the steel as a backing.

Still have some caulking todo but I also have some 'wallpaper' (looks like metal) to put behind the sink and the stove. I will post those pictures when done.

It was kind of fun to drill through the steel and into the wood and see a puff of smoke. The drill shards were pretty warm hitting my arm also.

TrailerTramp · 05-12-2006, 04:02 PM

That is a lovely renovation job- it looks great.

Foiled Again · 05-12-2006, 04:22 PM

How much does that steel weigh? It looks super, but if it's over 1/8 inch thick I'd be afraid of the weight. Beautiful though.

Paula Ford

casarodante · 05-12-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

How much does that steel weigh? It looks super, but if it's over 1/8 inch thick I'd be afraid of the weight. Beautiful though.

Paula Ford

I didn't weigh it and I probably won't take it off to do so

My guess is that this piece weighs about 10 lbs. It is mounted on the wall of the pantry and I would think it is made to hold some weight with cans, etc. in it.

casarodante · 05-13-2006, 07:34 PM

Got it finished up today. I will attach 4 photos.

The first two are shots of the covering that we put on the curbside behind the sink and stove. It may look a bit blue but it is supposed to look like metal.

Last two are shots of all the parts back in place. I am glad that is over. Next up is a fantastic fan installation. I have already done one so I hope this next on is easier.

Thanks for all the kind words.

BeBop · 05-13-2006, 09:36 PM

Very nice indeed!

Now, what you really need, is a matching stainless steel cocktail shaker to go along with the cool side splash.

casarodante · 05-31-2006, 10:46 PM

Well, I THOUGHT I had it done. My wife decided that she didn't like the blue tinge to the stick on paper. So we got a more silver version. It is thicker also, which is better. I didn't have to take off the steel or the upper cabinet for this so it was not as bad as it could have been. New photos attached.

SilverToy · 05-31-2006, 11:42 PM

Roger -

Liked the previous iteration. LOVE the latest!!! Tell your wife she has EXCELLENT taste!!! But then YOU knew that, right? AS, you, etc....

Looking really good! Keep the photos coming!

Axel