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Old 10-02-2020, 03:08 AM   #1
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Winston-Salem , North Carolina
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Posts: 11
FRP Panel For Bathroom

I am looking for solutions when renovating a 1979 Airstream Sovereign Bathroom. I've been researching FRP panels. They seem to offer a lot of options and from what I've read, seem to be flexible. Has anyone used this product to renovate a shower and bathroom area in their AS? thanks, larry
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Old 10-02-2020, 05:16 AM   #2
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1966 22' Safari
1955 22' Flying Cloud
Fredericksburg , Texas
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Larry, good to see someone else considering FRP for the shower walls. I see no reason why it can’t be successfully used. In the commercial building trade we’ve used FRP in wet areas, kitchens and restrooms. I plan on adhering the pieces to the wall, caulking the corners then installing the corner molding trim pieces. For those who may not be familiar, that’s Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. It’s very lightweight, flexible and is easy to work with. And many colors and textures to choose from.
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Old 10-02-2020, 07:43 AM   #3
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1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston , Texas
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Where do you buy it?
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Old 10-02-2020, 08:35 AM   #4
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1994 34' Excella
Warren , Manitoba
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I bought a shower/bath surround kit and installed it in the shower in my '76 sovereign. Big problem was getting the curve of the wall cut correctly. I used the adhesive recomended by the supplier, but found that after a couple of years it started to come loose from the wall. This was possibly caused by the extreme temperature of -40 to over 100 dergees where I live. I would try samples of different adhesives and spread completely, the same as flooring, rather than the suggested adhesive method of swirls on the wall. It made a very useable shower, and very easy to clean.
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Old 10-02-2020, 08:53 AM   #5
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1966 22' Safari
1955 22' Flying Cloud
Fredericksburg , Texas
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Originally Posted by Belegedhel View Post
Where do you buy it?
Big box stores have it. I’m sure there are other places also.
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Old 10-02-2020, 10:48 AM   #6
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1990 32' Excella
Royse City , TX
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FRP Panels work well

I purchased a 32' 1990 Excella last year that had water damaged subflooring under the bath sink. I took out the shower and gutted the bath to replace the subfloor.
Short answer...
I coated the inside of the shower pan with epoxy paint and reinstalled it. I went back in with FRP for all of the bath walls. I overlapped the shower pan with the FRP by about 1/2" to prevent water from getting out of the shower area. It also made for good protection around the sink and toilet. The FRP was flexible enough to fit the curvature of the AS wall. I used calk to glue the FRP to the wall.
I utilized the curve and edge trim pieces to make the joints look good.
I purchased the FRP, trim pieces and glue tubes from Home Depot.

We made several trips totaling 1500 miles since then and there is no evidence of any issues with the FRP. My wife really likes the easy to clean surface and the look of clean white bath walls.

I am not familiar with the 79 Soverign, but if it is anything like the 90 Excella, I think the FRP would be a very good replacement material for the bath walls.
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Old 10-02-2020, 01:16 PM   #7
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1962 22' Safari
Jackson , Mississippi
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I fabricated a shower in a rear corner of my 1962 Safari using FRP, he FRP adhesive, the trim pieces (modified a bit with a Dremel where needed) and caulk. I overlapped pieces to “match” the Airstream look and riveted them together (along with clear caulk) to be able to more easily deal with the inside curvature of the wall. 4 yrs in it has worked perfectly. Adhesive has held, and the FRP looks brand new.
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Old 10-02-2020, 07:35 PM   #8
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1989 25' Excella
Hershey , Pennsylvania
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I used Formica on the walls of the shower and bath in our '89 Excella. Used a heat gun to strip the original vinyl off the walls and then attached the Formica with contact cement. The Formica conformed well to the curved outer wall and ceiling and the original aluminum trim installed easily in the corners. FRP would also work but it is thicker. I did run into some trim issues with the Formica due to the thickness. These would only be exacerbated by the extra thickness of FRP in my opinion. Good luck with your project.

Ed
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Old 10-02-2020, 08:16 PM   #9
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2014 20' Flying Cloud
Washington , Missouri
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba L View Post
Larry, good to see someone else considering FRP for the shower walls. I see no reason why it can’t be successfully used. In the commercial building trade we’ve used FRP in wet areas, kitchens and restrooms. I plan on adhering the pieces to the wall, caulking the corners then installing the corner molding trim pieces. For those who may not be familiar, that’s Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. It’s very lightweight, flexible and is easy to work with. And many colors and textures to choose from.
I'm with Bubba. Commercial applications everywhere, bathrooms and kitchens. The (generally) white dimpled stuff. Health department loves it. Durable and washable. I have used it for years under the kit/BR sinks. Cut it, screw it down and caulk the edges. 4x8 sheets everywhere. Use a fine veneer blade as it sometimes fractures with a regular skil saw blade. For corners and edges etc, there are OEM moulding & trim pieces. Can't beat it with a stick for durability and waterproofing.

If i was doing a shower i would start with some mapei acquadefence first then glue the FRP to that...special caulking attn to corners.

WashMoBob

Bubba, getting settled in WashMo. Hoping to make it down to our Fav F'berg soon. Just bought some Becker Vineyards Cab ☺☺☺. I still owe you a tall cool one. Be well, be safe.
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Old 10-02-2020, 08:23 PM   #10
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1966 22' Safari
1955 22' Flying Cloud
Fredericksburg , Texas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CruizinDux View Post
I'm with Bubba. Commercial applications everywhere, bathrooms and kitchens. The (generally) white dimpled stuff. Health department loves it. Durable and washable. I have used it for years under the kit/BR sinks. Cut it, screw it down and caulk the edges. 4x8 sheets everywhere. Use a fine veneer blade as it sometimes fractures with a regular skil saw blade. For corners and edges etc, there are OEM moulding & trim pieces. Can't beat it with a stick for durability and waterproofing.

If i was doing a shower i would start with some mapei acquadefence first then glue the FRP to that...special caulking attn to corners.

WashMoBob

Bubba, getting settled in WashMo. Hoping to make it down to our Fav F'berg soon. Just bought some Becker Vineyards Cab ☺☺☺. I still owe you a tall cool one. Be well, be safe.
B
We’re here. See you then. Be safe
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Old 10-05-2020, 11:08 AM   #11
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1976 31' Excella 500
Chappell Hill , Texas
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I just finished new FRP walls in my center bath. I used smooth white FRP. Refinished the shower pan with tub/tile refinishing kit. I extended the RFP down over the shower pan lip to reduce leaks. I trimmed it with a gold tile trim from the hardware store. Used Black window screws with a rubber washer seal between the trim and FRP to prevent leaks at the screws. Works really well.
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