Love Bug 70's

[clavo]

Does anyone know what the puffy material is on the walls inside? It kind of looks like rough stucco but it's soft and spongy (not water damage in a spot kinda thing...., the whole interior is this soft spongy stuff.

My plan to store full roof size solar panels under the bed DID work, but it was a puzzle. Really only only one way in and out at certain angles and this is where the wall material comes into play. Rethinking Solar now. Moving three 20ish pound panels out is pointless for a weekend trip. Likely make it the entire 1-3 days on just charged batteries. So now what? Total redesign.

What is it that wall material through!?!?! One ding with a solar panel and it would have ripped a gash into it, and I wouldn't know what to even repair it with. Maybe this is a Love Bug thing, and scamp/casita never used this. Let me snap a few pictures....

[Alex Adams]

You have what appears to be commonly called Elephant Hide which is Ensolite foam faced with Vinyl. You can tell for sure by the density. If it is the same as an exercise mat then it is likely Ensolite. You cannot get this type of Ensolite anymore although un-faced Ensolite can still be had. Not sure how to repair the tear but you can search the site to see if someone else has done it or someone may pipe up. A lot of people do repairs to the Ensolite and then paint it. Again, search the forums to see what others have used. You definitely want to get a paint that remains flexible and doesn't shrink.

[clavo]

thanks!

Thats why I'm showing myself pushing a battery into it to show the compression. It bounces back really fast after.

What I want to know is how to fix it if (when) it gets hit and a chunk gets taken out and I need to fix it.

I'd like know the layers. What is between the hard top roof and that cushy foam.

If I rip of all that foam and replace it with something hard (akin to truck bed-liner). What's going to be under the vinyl/foam. Is the "insulation" under that? Should I prepare to find some thin modern insulation to be doing at the same time? And of course have fiberglass ready for fixing weak spots I can't see.

From the outside it appears to be in great condition, but who knows what is under. Mold. Missing insulation..... etc.



Looking for a list of the layers. What forum would be the best place to post that for the most attention?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Alex Adams

You have what appears to be commonly called Elephant Hide which is Ensolite foam faced with Vinyl. You can tell for sure by the density. If it is the same as an exercise mat then it is likely Ensolite. You cannot get this type of Ensolite anymore although un-faced Ensolite can still be had. Not sure how to repair the tear but you can search the site to see if someone else has done it or someone may pipe up. A lot of people do repairs to the Ensolite and then paint it. Again, search the forums to see what others have used. You definitely want to get a paint that remains flexible and doesn't shrink.

[Alex Adams]

In this case the elephant hide is the insulation. If you remove it, you will have the rough fiberglass surface. The layers are, from the outer surface to the inside, the Gel Coat finish, the fiberglass and then the ensolite elephant hide.

[clavo]

Thanks for the clarification, as there was no real solid information I could find on the 'Love Bug'. This makes sense why the imaging on my thermal camera looks as is does. There really is no "insulation". At least any of any meaningful value. A good thing to take into consideration if I rip off that entire later and replace it with say, 2 layers.... one with significant insulation at 2023 standards. Then replace the, essentially, painted foam with some more hardened material.

I assume if I got it down to bare bones fiberglass that would be a great time to take measurements, look for weak spots to fix, etc...

In all, a massive task for a camper that at this point doesn't need it. After a pacific NW winter, I'll reevaluate.

Plan for the worse, hope for the best.

thx.

[TeresaT]

Originally Posted by clavo

Thanks for the clarification, as there was no real solid information I could find on the 'Love Bug'. This makes sense why the imaging on my thermal camera looks as is does. There really is no "insulation". At least any of any meaningful value. A good thing to take into consideration if I rip off that entire later and replace it with say, 2 layers.... one with significant insulation at 2023 standards. Then replace the, essentially, painted foam with some more hardened material.

I assume if I got it down to bare bones fiberglass that would be a great time to take measurements, look for weak spots to fix, etc...

In all, a massive task for a camper that at this point doesn't need it. After a pacific NW winter, I'll reevaluate.
.

The ensolite in my opinion should be preserved if at all possible. It really is a great material that isn’t available. It does provide some insulation. Tearing it out is a big job because of the the way it’s adhered to the fiberglass shell. It doesn’t come off easily (at all) mostly you’d be left with a lot of black chunks of the back side of the ensolite. For seams I’ve seen good results with caulk and dabbing a sponge to give texture.
Most people really like the ensolite and removing it could greatly devalue the camper
Good luck

[Everett]

The material is a head liner used in boats. It is pretty durable but prone to loosing adhesion and falling down. To reattach the material use contact cement which works really well. Be sure to use continuous ventilation, generously coat both surfaces, let it dry thoroughly, and remember - you only get one chance to glue it in place. If you have a lot to glue get the gallon can because it takes a lot.

I chose to reglue mine as the head liner is relatively expensive. I used white RV Roof tape over the joints which I would not do again. If I had it to do over I would use quick set caulk - about 3 carefully applied coats at the joint and then paint the entire inner surface.