What is this? - Pro-Tex all purpose pad?

[SweetViolets]

Just purchased a 1966 Overlander, 26ft in need of much TLC. Cleaning and painting the interior walls, but have a mystery piece I removed, just curious as to what it was used for back in the day.

14"x17" Pro-Tex all purpose pad. Was riveted to the curve of the ceiling/wall area just to the right of the storage units above the fridge area. Front side is textured metal, underside is cardboard with the markings on it. Removed it from the wall (thinking it was a patch to cover a hole or something), and found nothing but squeaky clean vinyl wall underneath.

Any ideas?

[Wabbiteer]

It appears to be asbestos or similar backing on a stainless plate made for easy grease splatter clean-up. If there were no heat sources underneath (or portable ie: Coleman stove) then it was probably there for looks alone...

[jump]

What will you be using to paint over the vinyl ?

[Kevin245]

Ballonoff manufactured asbestos iron and stove mats in the 50's and 60's.

They were used to protect counter tops, tables, etc. Maybe a PO placed it there to protect the interior surface from a heat source.

[Alumaholic]

Previous Owner probably had an unvented, propane heater tucked in that corner. Check to see if there is nearby hole in floor where he ran copper tubing.

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

...Maybe a PO placed it there to protect the interior surface from a heat source.

My mom had one of those when I was a kid. It was a counter/table protector so you could place a hot pan off the stove or oven on it. The warning was so folks wouldn't put it on a burner. I agree with Kevin. Maybe a PO had a Coleman stove or lantern below it and placed it there to protect the wall surface from the heat source.

[Alumaholic]

[helmsman]

My '67 Safari has a propane lite (works like a coleman lantern did). You turn on the propane and lite it with a match. It's mounted at the end of the overhead cabinet in the same position your photos indicate the asbestos heat shield was located. I believe the previous responders are correct, that a previous owner mounted it as a heat shield, maybe for a heater or possibly for a propane light like mine.

[Alumaholic]

Helmsman, Your description seems more likely than mine. Do you have a picture?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by helmsman

My '67 Safari has a propane lite (works like a coleman lantern did). You turn on the propane and lite it with a match. It's mounted at the end of the overhead cabinet in the same position your photos indicate the asbestos heat shield was located. I believe the previous responders are correct, that a previous owner mounted it as a heat shield, maybe for a heater or possibly for a propane light like mine.

Yep...our 63 Safari had one above the lpg light also.

I guess they frowned on now, but sure came in handy on a cool morning for a little light and warmth.

Bob

[SweetViolets]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! I'm gonna go with wall protector for a heater of some sort. Would love to see a photo of your propane light, helmsman.

[SweetViolets]

Originally Posted by jump

What will you be using to paint over the vinyl ?

I scrubbed all the interior with a mild soap and water mixture, then wiped down all the vinyl with an odorless paint thinner to remove any "stickiness" from the vinyl (some folks complained about a sticky substance coming through their paint, although my walls weren't sticky - better safe than sorry). I then did 2 coats of KILZ primer original (I tried odorless, but it was much too thin...like painting with water). Looks so good, I may just stick with the white primer, but if down the road I want to add color, I have the base layer all set to go.

[BigBrosMo]

I just took a similar pad off of my boler. It was under the cabinet above the gas stove. Different size but from the same company and has the same "stamp" on it. I am trying to find a replacement or something similar since this apparently has asbestos in it. Any ideas? Mine is rusted to the point of no return.

Thanks.

[samb]

My '61 Safari had a propane light mounted on the end of the cabinet much the same as yours. It also had a heat shield, but was a part of the lamp itself. My guess is that the pad was for the propane light.
Sam