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Old 11-07-2016, 12:42 AM   #1
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Replacing all mica with Corian

Love our FC27FB 2016 but not so much mica...

Considering replacing all mica (galley, head and dinnette) with Corian. Anyone with experience considering/doing so?

We would also like round edges around dinnette, the sharp ones are not kind on our arms.
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Old 11-07-2016, 04:27 AM   #2
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No experience doing the job, but the 2017 Classic we have is all Corian so it should be possible. We were going to convert our 30' FC to Corian and I contacted a home kitchen and bath company that works with Corian and they looked at the trailer and said no problem. We did not do it, sold it and went with the Classic for other reasons.

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Old 11-07-2016, 04:54 AM   #3
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We replace the table top and the top to the nightstand. The galley top was already corian so we didn't replace it. I took the two pieces to a kitchen and bath counter top maker and they used them a pattern and even installed all of the brackets. We did not replace the bathroom because it seemed to be more difficult with the cabinet. Keep in mind that corian is heavier than the formica but looks much better.
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Old 11-07-2016, 07:09 AM   #4
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Keep in mind that corian will melt if hot pan etc. is placed on it also will cut or gouge etc. I use granite & prices are some times better. If use thinner granite w/built up edges weight i not a factor. When using granite get edges beveled not 1/8 round over will chip where bev. almost imp. to chip.
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Old 11-07-2016, 08:19 AM   #5
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Replacing all mica with Corian

Vitaver-

We also had sharp edges everywhere on counters, drawers, door edges, etc. in our '14 27fb. Rather than the added weight of Corian, try sanding/trimming the Formica edge banding everywhere you can.

The dealer did some for us while the coach was in for some warranty work, and it eliminated many of the sharp edges. I have since done even more edge band and corner sanding and it continues to improve.

Hope this helps.


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Old 11-07-2016, 08:27 AM   #6
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Granite?

First of all, you can't place a hot pan on the OEM mica counter tops so having to adjust to corian shouldn't be a big challenge. I do not have either in my trailer but I do have corian in my home. It is a very forgiving surface and can be sanded to restore the original look. I also comes in many colors and color combinations.

As far as weight goes, it is heavier than the original formica but the relatively small area you have to deal with shouldn't be a big issue. I have friends with granite counters in their homes and there are mixed opinions from them. Today there are a lot of man made synthetic counter tops to choose from. I am sure you can find some that are less expensive than corian and certainly less expensive than granite.
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Old 11-07-2016, 09:07 AM   #7
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Our 94 has Corian from the factory. It is something I would like to replace to give an updated look plus it has cracked in two places.
The current counter top has the formed corian sinks which look nice when cleaned. I would much rather go back with an undermount stainless steel sink. The corian sink always seems to have scratch marks from washing the dishes. The marks are easily removed with Barkeepers Friend cleanser. I would also look for a sink the have the drains near the rear of the sink so there is more room under the counter for storage.
I plan on using Corian again when I eventually redo the tops. I don't think I would use granite as I would want a more flexible material.
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Old 11-07-2016, 11:31 AM   #8
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We're coming down the home stretch on the refurb of our '64 Overlander. We chose to go with corrian because:

1) even though there are some really nice formica patterns, it just doesn't look as nice as a solid surface
2) granite, manufactured stone, recycled glass were out of the deal because of the weight (that said, the corrian is heavier than I thought it would be, but still lighter than stone)
3) you can mill corrian yourself as if it was wood. We bought a full sheet, cut it ourselves, and used a router to radius the edges. In the places the router couldn't reach it took 10 minutes with some #100 sandpaper to create the same radius as the router.

Once the edges were the way we wanted them, I wet sanded with #320, #400, #800, & #1000 grit paper, then used a vehicle polishing compound with a drill & some foam pads:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have used Flitz which I found through another post:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Flitz stuff will take small scratches out of the corrian. Then for the finish I polished with carnuba wax. Boy, do those counters shine!

If you need to glue multiple pieces of corrian together, you can get a two part epoxy in a color that matches your counter. In theory, the join should blend right in to the corrian. I just ordered mine from these guys:

https://solidsurface.com/tools-suppl...face-bonder-xi

I say go for it! It's a fun project.

Crista
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Old 11-07-2016, 12:30 PM   #9
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Smile Corian

There is no doubt that corian adds some weight but you can use 1/4" corian. I have used it in our bathroom and in the galley of our 1973 31'. Like in anything the material is as good as the installer. If you do it yourself you will first have the proper tools but mostly the proper skills. If you are not a very good carpenter capable of perfect cut on the table saw, very comfortable with routers , proper drill bits etc... give the job to a Corian specialist. Corian is not cheap and wasting material becomes expensive. The gluing process is not a picnic either. I fabricated and installed our Corian tops about 10 years ago and they are in great shape still but I am a skilled carpenter and I had access to professional tools. And that was my two cents!!!
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Old 11-07-2016, 01:06 PM   #10
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We did every horizontal surface with Corian, except the big table. If you would like to see it look at the classifieds under all Airstream trailers on page 14. It is the 1987 25' Sovereign in Ohio.
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Old 11-07-2016, 04:59 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vitaver View Post
Love our FC27FB 2016 but not so much mica...

Considering replacing all mica (galley, head and dinnette) with Corian. Anyone with experience considering/doing so?

We would also like round edges around dinnette, the sharp ones are not kind on our arms.
I have Corian in my 2000 34' and it sucks. Need to sand it rub it out to make it look nice all the time if U use it a lot. Not only that but much heaver than mica. I am going to replace my corian with mica there R some real nice patterens of mica out there. I have done much mica install and it wonderful.
Jim
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Old 11-07-2016, 06:33 PM   #12
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Corian scratches

We have black corian in our 2016 Classic. I love the look but it scratches terribly. I'm extremely careful with it and always use something to cover it when sitting anything on it and it's still scratched. I gotta say I'd like to take the corian out and replace it with something more useable but can't really justify that while it's so new. Just my opinion.
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Old 11-07-2016, 08:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmatkovich View Post
I have Corian in my 2000 34' and it sucks. Need to sand it rub it out to make it look nice all the time if U use it a lot. Not only that but much heaver than mica. I am going to replace my corian with mica there R some real nice patterens of mica out there. I have done much mica install and it wonderful.
Jim
I have done a number of laminated counter tops in my houses. Even there lighter weight is helpful and easier to handle. Never use particle board, it swells and crumbles if it gets wet. 3 ply 1/2" plywood is lighter, quite robust and less subject to wet damage. Edges can be made wider by using 3/4 x 1 1/2" poplar screwed to the edges of the plywood with 2" #6 wood screws. Poplar is less likely than plywood to be damaged by water running off the edges. The original laminated tops in our '67 are still quite good but if I ever have to replace see above. As for sharp edges a fine flat file used gently will soften those. Corners can be rounded using a heat gun on low heat if you don't try to go too sharp or too fast. You might want to experiment with scraps to find the minimum radius possible.
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Old 11-08-2016, 08:13 AM   #14
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So how are the counter tops fastened to the cupboards in a 2016 FC ?
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Old 11-08-2016, 09:02 AM   #15
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If not satisfied with the color and sharp corners of Airstream formica the cheapest and lighter option is new formica countertops that are built better than Airstream. I have Corian in my 2008 Classic 25fb. I've only owned the trailer 3 years and its held up fine. We use cutting boards and pads for everything we do, same at home whether formicia or currently granite (which I wouldn't have again).

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Old 04-08-2022, 01:33 PM   #16
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Keep in mind that corian will melt if hot pan etc. is placed on it also will cut or gouge etc. I use granite & prices are some times better. If use thinner granite w/built up edges weight i not a factor. When using granite get edges beveled not 1/8 round over will chip where bev. almost imp. to chip.
Wow thanks for this! *following*
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Old 04-08-2022, 03:13 PM   #17
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Had a local fabricator built them to my specks and installed them myself.
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Old 04-08-2022, 03:38 PM   #18
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Looks great!
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Old 04-08-2022, 07:19 PM   #19
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Looks awesome! What is the Corian color that you used? Platinum?
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Old 04-08-2022, 07:46 PM   #20
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Wow thanks for this! *following*
Don't leave an electric skillet.plugged in.... saw one sunken into a Corian counter once. It was so rude of me to laugh, but a hernia from suppressing it would have been worse.

Hangs head in shame [emoji17]
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