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Old 06-15-2015, 05:08 PM   #1
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Insulation and Mold Links

EastCoastCB posted these here, but since these are issues important to us, I figured it'd be best to give them their own thread. And feel free to add to them and our wealth of knowledge

Facts About Insulation and Mold Applegate Insulation

Tech & Specs National Insulation Assoc

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Old 06-15-2015, 10:12 PM   #2
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For the new skoolie folk who keep asking, "Why remove the interior panels?" we should get everyone to post a picture of the moldy insulation found in their buses.
I, unfortunately, didn't take any pictures of my soggy fibreglass insulation...
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Old 06-15-2015, 11:05 PM   #3
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Ha! Cool thread!
Not a bus in this pic but what my insulation looked like in some areas-


and more-



http://omegainsulationservices.com/i...insulation.jpg

A SCHOOL BUS-

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Old 06-16-2015, 04:24 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazty View Post
For the new skoolie folk who keep asking, "Why remove the interior panels?" we should get everyone to post a picture of the moldy insulation found in their buses.
I, unfortunately, didn't take any pictures of my soggy fibreglass insulation...
Agreed. And as I get further aft in my bus, I'm almost positive I know I'll find cruddier insulation.

As I've mentioned elsewhere (I think. 520 isn't conducive to thought processes), most of the mold and potential for mold was found in the insulation along the cable chase above the windows, as seen above
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Old 06-16-2015, 06:34 AM   #5
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Since glass isn't the source of mold, maybe we can find out the source and tackle that issue as well. Maybe ventilation?
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Old 06-16-2015, 06:45 AM   #6
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mold grows on the moisture and dirt that gets trapped in the fiberglass.
In a bus, the moisture is the main problem.
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Old 06-24-2015, 11:03 PM   #7
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I wasn't going to remove the inside panels, but after reading some of the threads I figured I'd better! Man I'm I glad I did, the insulation wasn't wet but the dust and the smell, I couldn't believe it! I've taken every panel off and have thrown out all the insulation that came with the bus. It smells so much better. I joined this site for advice and tips, I'm glad I listened to this one!
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Old 06-24-2015, 11:51 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandering Websters View Post
I wasn't going to remove the inside panels, but after reading some of the threads I figured I'd better! Man I'm I glad I did, the insulation wasn't wet but the dust and the smell, I couldn't believe it! I've taken every panel off and have thrown out all the insulation that came with the bus. It smells so much better. I joined this site for advice and tips, I'm glad I listened to this one!
Great to hear.

Build thread for my picture addiction?

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Old 06-25-2015, 07:19 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandering Websters View Post
I wasn't going to remove the inside panels, but after reading some of the threads I figured I'd better! Man I'm I glad I did, the insulation wasn't wet but the dust and the smell, I couldn't believe it! I've taken every panel off and have thrown out all the insulation that came with the bus. It smells so much better. I joined this site for advice and tips, I'm glad I listened to this one!
Yep anything worth doin is worth doin RIGHT.

When you're done it will SOOOOOO be worth all the hard work. You'll see others' buses and cringe when you see that they built right over that crap.
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Old 09-10-2015, 05:25 AM   #10
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I can also attest to the nastiness of the insulation. Even on my nearly rust free bus there was mold in the insulation especially under the windows where condensation runs down the panels.

As an interesting note, Carpenter only insulated every other opening. The one ceiling panel we removed so far was about 20"x 6' even though the cavity is about 31"x8'. Don't bother with all of the work to build a bus if you aren't willing to remove the panels. At least do the sides, the roof could theoretically be left alone, but why not do it while in demolition phase?

At least on our bus drilling the rivets is no big deal. I did the one side, 15 feet, in about 30 minutes or so. I have read that carpenter did some shoddy riveting but most that I have seen are fine. I used bits that are bigger than the head as well as smaller ones that are just right to make the rivet shank disappear when drilled. With the big bit you have to deal with the shank left in the hole. Ill just use a cut off wheel on those. I don't really understand all the talk of air chisels and destroyed panels, we could reuse my roof panel without even paining it if we wanted to. I have noticed that my bus has far less rivets than some brands so that makes it easier.

I say don't debate this as it is very important to have a solid base to start with, just get it apart and I believe that you will end up saving time in the end as it will be far easier to build out without metal in your way.
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Old 09-10-2015, 05:28 AM   #11
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Duplicate post sorry.
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Old 09-10-2015, 06:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 75GMCCadet26 View Post
I can also attest to the nastiness of the insulation. Even on my nearly rust free bus there was mold in the insulation especially under the windows where condensation runs down the panels.

As an interesting note, Carpenter only insulated every other opening. The one ceiling panel we removed so far was about 20"x 6' even though the cavity is about 31"x8'. Don't bother with all of the work to build a bus if you aren't willing to remove the panels. At least do the sides, the roof could theoretically be left alone, but why not do it while in demolition phase?

At least on our bus drilling the rivets is no big deal. I did the one side, 15 feet, in about 30 minutes or so. I have read that carpenter did some shoddy riveting but most that I have seen are fine. I used bits that are bigger than the head as well as smaller ones that are just right to make the rivet shank disappear when drilled. With the big bit you have to deal with the shank left in the hole. Ill just use a cut off wheel on those. I don't really understand all the talk of air chisels and destroyed panels, we could reuse my roof panel without even paining it if we wanted to. I have noticed that my bus has far less rivets than some brands so that makes it easier.

I say don't debate this as it is very important to have a solid base to start with, just get it apart and I believe that you will end up saving time in the end as it will be far easier to build out without metal in your way.
I don't know how your bus is put together. But my bus REQUIRED and air hammer and chisel.

PICS of this please!
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Old 09-10-2015, 07:10 AM   #13
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Lets not forget the constant source of moisture from the load of little mouth breathers these things were designed to carry. I mean think about how much is going to be kicked off a load of 40 kids in a hot bus. I remember watching the windows get frosted as a kid, that frost has to go some where. Not to mention there are much better forms of insulation available now days vs what was around in the early 90's
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Old 09-10-2015, 07:34 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I don't know how your bus is put together. But my bus REQUIRED and air hammer and chisel.

PICS of this please!
They are pop rivets. Place drill point in hole on flange of rivet and drill, thats it. They are steel but not too hard. Ill post pics when I figure that out. Your's must be hard steel or bucked type rivets?
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Old 09-10-2015, 08:28 AM   #15
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Mine were steel, some rusty, and there were thousands of them.
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Old 09-10-2015, 09:10 AM   #16
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I just removed the small 32 inch panel at the rear drivers side. 13 rivets it took 5 minutes despite the fact that I had to pry the panel outward with a panel tool to keep 2 of them from spinning. I guess we are lucky to get off so easy on this stage.
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Old 09-10-2015, 09:41 AM   #17
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Got the next panel off and there is an elaborate mouse nest in the insulation. Its an old bus but a great argument for the idea that it is always best to pull the panels.
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Old 09-10-2015, 10:27 AM   #18
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Pics would be gross, but GREAT!
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Old 09-10-2015, 10:35 AM   #19
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Pics would be gross, but GREAT!
How would I post that from phone without having a pic host?
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Old 09-10-2015, 11:10 AM   #20
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Email em to me and I'll post em...
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