Hi! I am a brand new owner of a 2006 Bluebird Ford F450 Diesel Shorty Bus with 100,000 miles on it. I need some advice to get the conversion started. I looked it over really well and there is absolutely no rust or signs water damage showing inside or underneath. As well the factory wood seems like it's in good shape where I've pulled up the rubber top sheet. A friend of mine whos a contractor suggests I don't remove the original wood and just seal it then build my insulation on top of it. I'm worried that even though it seems solid all these forums say you should remove everything to see the metal you're working with. If I remove the all the rubber top layer and the wood shows no signs of damage do you think it would be safe enough to assume the metal is also undamaged? Please let me know what you think.
This forum also says you should remove everything to see the metal you're working with. Almost all buses have some water incursion and some rust on the floor. Removing the plywood is really not hard at all, and it will save you 3/4" in head room. If it turns out you have no rust on the floor, great! Paint it and start laying down your foam board.
I just took out the plywood on my very clean 2013 bus and there was a lot more moisture and rust than I thought there was!
Pull them off and let us know what you find!
Definitely could be rusted on the floor with no damage showing to the top of the plywood. As long as you're this far, take the extra step for piece of mind. Reseal the metal with a rust preventer paint for added security.
__________________
I Thank God That He Gifted Me with Common Sense
Insulation and Flooring Advice
Linear Mode
