Triple E Surfside interior insulation - Fiberglass RV
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Old 10-29-2020, 10:21 PM   #1
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Name: Haylee and Garin
Trailer: Triple E
Utah
Posts: 3
Triple E Surfside interior insulation

I am wondering how hard it is to get rid of the old popcorn foam insulation in my new trailer? Is it worth getting out of there or is it possible to give it a good paint job to seal cracks and any harsh chemical.... (say asbestos perhaps) that may release just from it being so old and exposed. Not really sure what it is made of but probably not great for taking into the lungs........ Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 10-30-2020, 12:00 AM   #2
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Name: Ryan
Trailer: 1977 Triple E Surfside
British Columbia
Posts: 1
Hi,

Check out the various forum posts on interior insulation in these moulded fg trailers. It's something called Ensolite (tag named Elephant skin) and most will recommend not removing it unless you have to! It's fairly indestructible and prevents condensation. If you do remove it you will have replace it with something or risk water running down your walls at night. I don't believe it's toxic and is a closed cell insulation so there are no health concerns and it shouldn't grow mould! Cheers and good luck!
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Old 10-30-2020, 09:29 AM   #3
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Name: Robert
Trailer: Surf-Side
Manitoba
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It does paint very easily and nicely to seal it. I think that various paints have been used from interior latex to exterior. Do choose one that has a bit of gloss so that it is easy to clean.
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Old 10-30-2020, 10:07 AM   #4
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Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of North Carolina
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If it is really popcorn ceiling, take a sample and send it off for an asbestos test. I have never, ever seen a popcorn ceiling in a trailer.

What I have seen is a vinyl layer backed with foam. A lot of the vinyl is textured, but none of it looks like popcorn.

I recently demo’d and rebuilt a 1934 house. I took several samples before the demo and was pleased to find out no asbestos.
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Old 10-30-2020, 04:59 PM   #5
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Name: Curt
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Alberta
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Video How To Caulk and Paint Ensolite Seams

Ditto on NOT removing Ensolite elephant skin insulation. It does serve a purpose, and if it is reasonable shape, it can be easily cleaned and painted to greatly improve the appearance.

Check out my video at on filling the gaps with acrylic caulk and painting!


Curt
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Old 11-11-2020, 07:03 PM   #6
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Name: Dave
Trailer: Triple E Surfside
British Columbia
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insulation

Quote:
Originally Posted by hgapperson View Post
I am wondering how hard it is to get rid of the old popcorn foam insulation in my new trailer? Is it worth getting out of there or is it possible to give it a good paint job to seal cracks and any harsh chemical.... (say asbestos perhaps) that may release just from it being so old and exposed. Not really sure what it is made of but probably not great for taking into the lungs........ Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
I restored a 78 and I decided to keep the foam insulation since i did not have a good alternative. Repair damaged foam with latex paintable caulking, and then give it a nice paint job. Our looks great.
cheers
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Old 11-17-2020, 07:58 AM   #7
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Name: Stephen
Trailer: Scamp
Michigan
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Ensolite removal

Hi

We have a 1985 Scamp 13 foot with Ensolite and actually prefer it to the "rat fur". Ours looked pretty dingy. After getting it 85% clean with TSP and some other cleaning products we still weren't 100% happy with the appearance so we primed it with Bin shellac based primer and painted it. We happy with the results and personalized our trailer with a nice color. You don't see that with the fur.

Stephen P
W Michigan
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Old 11-19-2020, 11:03 PM   #8
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Name: Rolf
Trailer: Triple E
Alberta
Posts: 31
Insulation removal

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ID:	138445I did remove my "popcorn" insulation recently for a complete Surfside 1980 rebuild. It was just two gross to look at with cracks and discoloring from leaks in the belly band and so on.
It was pretty easy to remove with a spatula, and then the rest with a wire brush. I did not even think of asbestos actually, just wore a dust mask for it.

I attached a picture of what my insulation looked like.


I'm not sure yet with what to replace. Lucky for me I have the Trillium Outback builders here in Calgary and they will provide me with the materials they use. Some kind of foam and then marine liner on top.


Cheers
Rolf
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