Request For Ensolite "Scale of Good"

[Ironhinge]

Seems like Ensolite gets pulled down because it is "gross". This is relative to each person and how big and greasy their elbows are... Could anyone who has seen a spectrum of conditions post some pictures for us newbies? I think it might keep new owners from moving too fast.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Ironhinge

Seems like Ensolite gets pulled down because it is "gross". This is relative to each person and how big and greasy their elbows are... Could anyone who has seen a spectrum of conditions post some pictures for us newbies? I think it might keep new owners from moving too fast.

Actually, they usually post after they have "gutted" the trailer.

[Arvonian]

Here's a picture of mine... my trailer was used as an office, with plenty of shelving nailed through the shell. Now wherever a 2 x 4 was, the ensolite is squished flat. I'm not sure at the moment how I will handle this, but I will definitely keep it intact!

[Jon in AZ]

I suspect Glenn is right. Postings tend to disappear into the dustbin of time fairly quickly. No matter how many times it gets discussed, most newbies don't come looking for information until the deed is done.

Asking now, ahead of time, puts you way ahead of the curve.

If you are wondering about what to do with yours, or whether it is salvageable, the best thing you could do is to post some pictures and a description of your issues. Then you'll likely hear what everyone else hears: clean it thoroughly, re-glue loose sections, fill seams and gaps with latex caulk, texture to match the rest with a damp sponge or rag, prime and paint with latex paint.

If you want to see what others have had to deal with and how it came out, a Google site search on "paint Ensolite" yields many threads with lots of information and occasional before and after pictures.

[Ironhinge]

Paint Ensolite definitely brought up a lot of pictures, though I am loath to paint as it is a one way path. I thought it would be nice to have a tread we could use as a starting point when deciding to keep/replace/paint/strip-paint

[Ironhinge]

Steve, thank you for that picture... I am sorry, but it makes me more hopeful about saving mine as well (:

[Ironhinge]

surface is in great shape... I am worried about what is behind it

[FRED SMAILES]

It's easy to scrape away a portion to see if there are problems then reglue the material back on.
I'm VERY BIG on not painting the interior!!!!
Pick out the worst areas apply a good cleaning product ,stiff bristle brush it in and rinse,,,can you live with it?
Fred

[Jon in AZ]

Good point, Fred, and I should have made clear in my earlier post: the last two steps- prime and paint- would only be considered in a worst-case scenario. A good cleaning and a bit of re-glueing and touch-up is all that is needed in a lot of cases, including the OP's, judging by the pictures. It looks to be in pretty good shape overall. I'd give it a 5 or 6.

[bullfrogeh]

As soon as the frost is out - likely in May - we'll be scrubbing, gluing, caulking, texturing and then painting our ensolite; as many have proposed on this forum. We're already 'gutted' - but it's minus 20 Celcius (minus 5 Farenheit) this week.

[Chris from Comox]

I am an advocate of "asking first" that way one is able to make an informed decision ;-) Personally what I did was to go to my nearby RV dealer and talk tot them - my ensolite was dirty, moldy, not attached in a few spots and the stripping to hide the seams was all wrinkled all of which made the interior look quite ugly.. With safety glasses and a face mask in place I used some Mold and Mildew remover got the worst of the ucky stuff off then it was a Spic-N-Span wash that brought the fabric right back to what was probably as close to its look when it was "new".. I then used contact cement to re-attach the portions that were hanging down, followed this up with installing new seam stripping that I got from the Trillium manufacturer in Florence, Arizona and Shazam it all looks wonderful.. I recommend the safety glasses and face mask because so much of the task of washing and cleaning is overhead and all the stuff can't be good for your eyes and lungs ;-)

[Chris from Comox]

Ohh.. I forgot to mention that the secret tool that I used was one of those plastic "medical" scrub brushes that Lee Valley sells to get all the undesirable "guck" out of the ensolite wrinkles.. It has just the correct amount of abrasion to do the job..

[Ironhinge]

that’s a good tip thanks... The texture is a pain

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by Ironhinge

Seems like Ensolite gets pulled down because it is "gross". This is relative to each person and how big and greasy their elbows are... Could anyone who has seen a spectrum of conditions post some pictures for us newbies? I think it might keep new owners from moving too fast.

Here is a link to my before and after photo's: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post174856

I have to admit, our ensolite originally looked to be in very rough shape.

[susan b. davis]

I am getting to where I SORTOF like my 'gator-skin ensolite, though i am still pondering how to deal with the huge shrunk bubble places in the corners ETC. However, i would like to share my secret of cleaningit : a nail brush (those little rectangular brushes that have nice handles on the back; a toothbrush (those little rectangular brushes on a stick ; and a spray bottle of straight white vinegar. MIRACLE CLEANER! Yes I have to scrub every year (i don't have the luxury of a climate-controlled indoor work area aka a garage) but hey..........no chems

[Clayton]

How do you get rid of the vinegar smell? LOL

[Glenn Baglo]

Chemical composition of vinegar:

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Clayton

How do you get rid of the vinegar smell? LOL

Wipe it off with plain water rinsing out the sponge and rag fairly frequently and changing the rinse water now and again. Open the doors and windows. Every minute you are working there will be less and less vinegar smell but then again maybe your sense of smell is just getting burned out..

[TheWanderers]

We have ensolite in our camper. PO painted it. It looks very good and my favorite part is that it can just be wiped off if it gets dirty.