Thoughts on the Solway Panel kit - VB20
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- Is it worth the money? That's a big question, well I do think it is if you want to avoid the wood material look that a lot of sel built vans use.
Is it worth the effort? Yes, again the wood material finish can be a lot faster as you are adding the wood as you go, but you also lose a lot of space using wood and make your van build much heavier.
Overall would I use this kit again if I built another van? YES, 100% YES!!
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Just an update on what you mentioned at 7 minutes, we’re in the process of making an angled panel that will cover the gap between the wall panels and ceiling, I think it will be a good part to finning the kit off, also about the fitting instructions, you are right we did use the panels for our own conversions initially then decide to sell them and thought that they are so easy to fit that they don’t need instructions, but I think you’re right, instructions would be helpful, so we’re are going to take the time to do some videos in our workshop that will be on our website just to help our customers when they come to fit them.
What you need to do Mr Solway is make sure the things fit better in the first place, for the amount of money they cost. Too much time wasted battling with these things.
@solwaycamperconversions5621 - 1 yr later since your post & still no videos on your website or youtube channel regarding the fitting of these panels :(
I like the look of this kit. I had a look in a showroom yesterday at some Swift and hymer campervans, they seem to use a similar product and process along with premium looking fuxtures and fittings, the look is very premium compared to the builds i see on youtube, i now understand why people pay upwards of £20,000 🇬🇧 for the branded vans, even though my experience with caravans tells me under it all its cheaply built fir orofitability ....
I’m only 3 mins in and I think you have done a great job. Your craftsmanship is very high. I am impressed.
Good timing! Just sat down with a cuppa 😎👍🏻
I’ve done 2 conversions with those panels and definitely use them again
I cheat though as I have furniture and the shower where the joins are
I love the look of the solway kit. It adds a premium look to the walls and when the van is finished its going to look like a premium van that was at the big show at 80K-but massively less expensive. Plus, easy to remove for maintainence and easy to clean. If I had the money to build a ducato/fiat based van, Id go solway too. Its looking great and its going to look amazing once finished. Regards and respect-Kenny
Really enjoying the series so far! Looking forward to seeing the adventures you get up to next year in the van
Hi John. Its looking good. While your still in the planning stage of your toilet I wondered if you'd considered a tambour door. If space permits it gives a professional finish, is easy to fit and doesn't intrude into any other area. From memory ours cost £200 about 2 years ago and we've been happy with it up to now.
So pleased for you that it's coming along so well. Can't wait to see the electrical install all fitted. Good luck with your cabinets.
Aesthetically appealing and looks really neat. Am loving your attention to detail outside and inside...
A really polished finish. No doubt lighter than a multitude of scribed ply/alternate panel finish.
Hi John, just watched your video, we’ll done by the way, at around 3 minutes you mentioned the difference in the finish on drivers side front panel, the reason for the difference in the finish is down to the machine it was moulded on, unfortunately some times the the panel come out slightly different because of the heat Setting on the machine it is in fact the same material but moulded at a higher temperature, it’s not ideal but you can’t spot it until it’s under light and already fitted, we have been trying to get to the bottom of this for a while, I’m sure we’ll get it right, keep the good work up, I’m going to carry on watching the video and if there’s anything else I’ll be commenting again, keep the good work up.
Regards
Jimmy
Solway Camper conversions
Looks great John, so nice to see a van build doing ‘something different’………bet Mandy’s chomping at the bit for hers next 😉😊
Really enjoying your build series videos and seeing the great results you have achieved so far. I bet Mandy can’t wait for you to finish and crack on with her build 😂.
I really love these panels John. I would definetely use them if I was doing one. The price of them is worth the money to get just a lovely finish.
Well done John xxxxxx
Brilliant idea to get the bed in, and some heating... and then just have a few day's away.... so you some good matey.
These panels are similar to the interior of our Transit 460 minibus conversion, but without the rear air conditioning in the roof, nor the underfloor heating. I much prefer this look to wood.
It looks great. Really good.
Awesome job John. Looking forward to the next process.
Looks pretty swish with all those nice neat wipe clean panels. Good idea to take a little break and a few days away in the van, it just needs to be usable. Will give you time to ponder kitchen, fridge/freezer options etc. I have a similar fridge, went for a lift up section on the kitchen bench, after using this for a while and even adding a lift up bench extension, I think it would have been better as a slide out fridge lengthways in the kitchen unit. We've still not actually got doors on one end - just a series of different sized containers with all the things in - pull out and grab what you need. I experimented with a cardboard version for some things first for the plates etc - works pretty well, now making a plywood version. I've used Industrial Velcro for some of the panels where the removable water tanks are and non=slip matting stops anything moving - I painted the shelves with Kitchen and bathroom pain and used a roller that gave them a little texture, nothing moves. Looking forward to seeing the next phase of the build.
Hi John its all looking really great, i would suggest you cut a ply strip and cover the join between overhead and side panels now as it would make fitting anything like cupboards or toilet bulkheads an easier scribe and cut. If you leave it until the cupboards are up then you have to work through a small opening! Also John you can purchase silicon's in lots of different colours and if you have joints in the panels your not quite happy with you could neatly fill these, i am a ex boat joiner so we used to fill joins between lots of surfaces and it can make a huge improvement to the overall look.
My cupboards will have a rear panel so you won’t see the upper corner 👍🏻
Looking good John proper factory Finnish 👍
Looking good John, need to get it finished soon though for the Scotland Christmas trip 😉
Wow very nice 👌👌👌👌👌
Informative as ever John. 👍💙❤️
looking grt john
Hari OM
Change as good as a holiday, John - hope you find/found somewhere dry to take that time out! YAM xx
Great work John. Looking fantastic. Have you spoke to the Wood Monkey regarding you cupboards and kitchen area. I’m sure he’ll have some pointers to ease the stress.
I spoke with Rick yesterday and he’s swamped with work
You’d have hoped the company would want to try and rectify that issue with finish because otherwise they’re mint!
It was the 2nd snag of the entire kit really, the first snag being the lack of detailed instructions, so hopefully once they order the panels from the factory the finish will match the other panels.
@@GadgetJohn yeah it’s only a small thing and doesn’t really affect you as you said, at least they know and can hopefully resolve it for others in the future. Are these panels meant to be painted or covered or used as is?
I totally agree. Be interesting to understand the root cause of this and plans to rectify
Time to take a break? Perhaps visit a few other vans and compare your vision to there's regarding tailoring the furniture. I found stepping back and checking my approach helped, so I was happy to set about my old VW refit with renewed confidence.
I like the panels John, makes a nice change from the usual rustic T&G look that everybody does. It would be interesting to know the weight difference between these panels and typical T&G.
It’s very hard to know as no one has ever weighed all the wood, screws, nails glue and fabric. But I’d bet my life savings that the panels I’ve fitted are less than 25% of the alternative materials weight.
@@GadgetJohn It might be an interesting exercise to weigh your van and a T&G fitted van when it's done.
What did you do with the factory fitted internal lights above the back doors and the one toilet side ??
good vid on the van keep up the good vid thanks lee
Like the setup John, interested in the drop-down monitor stand do you have any info on it.
I’m not sure what drop down stand you mean?
@@GadgetJohn sorry john i was asking about the monitor/tv stand does it move vertically , it appeared to drop down on the vid or am I looking at wrong.
Anomaly panel aside - still looks fantastic. Weight saver, a cost saver and very difficult to replicate that quality of a finish without they panels.
Great vlog. I suspect a lot of people are following both your build and Liam's carpet and timber route so it's interesting to see both and compare the relative merits of each
One has character.
We were toying with buying an A class but looking at the overall weight of these beasts, they are hitting 3,800kg and more and considering fuel prices and the consumption (9 to 13mpg), I think we will be looking for something considerably smaller.
Our 3850kg moho got 32 mpg.
Looking good👍
Great update John. Thanks. Just wondering if the solway panels weren’t available, or if one couldn’t afford them…what would you recommend as the best alternative? Thanks again John. 😀👍
I can’t really suggest products I’ve not used.
The colour and texture of that panel would annoy me but the look and finish of that kit looks fantastic and outweighs that little issue that you can live with.
Let’s face it you don’t see much of the walls when the van is finished anyway.
Certainly makes for a very neat finished appearance, the only thing that could cause that panel difference is if the raw material used for that panel came from a different supplier. The finish/texture would be on the raw sheet, the forming tools/patterns would be smooth. Don't know whether I've missed something, but why is the lower half of the nearside rear door different from the offside. It's probably just me but it really "fidgits", if you know what I mean!🤔
Which door do you mean? Rear door, sliding door or front doors?
@@GadgetJohn The rear door with the window, its got the ladder on the outside. The lower panel doesn't go full width as it is on the other door, it just makes the internal view of the two doors closed look very asymmetric! Sorry if I'm being "anal" but my eye is just drawn to it. I'm sure it's correct for the kit, but I was puzzled why?
You’ll not see that once the doors are shut as the bed covers the lower panel. But I might use the window cut outs of the panels to make some bit to go around the bare metal
Hi John, I hope you are keeping well.
Can I ask what thickness of insulation board (kingspan etc) you used under your Solway panels please? I just wanted to make sure I didn't go too thick.
As ever, many thanks.
Richard
I used 25mm with a further layer of the recycled plastic insulation over it.
Thanks John, appreciated@@GadgetJohn
I think the panneling is a lot nicer and looks more professional than wood.
Great videos
Quick question, with this Solway kit what is the maximum bed length possible
Peter
I’ve got a full size ikea double frame & mattress in my van, I’m 5ft 11 and I’ve got room to stretch out in bed.
@@GadgetJohn great. Planning a similar conversion but like those panels. I’m 6’2” and looking to put a 5’ wide bed in same place but in an L4 van. Keep up the great videos
Stylish 👍
Great work Jon , are you thinking of doing a costing at the end of your build?
I’m not going to break it all down, everything is linked in each video so you can see the individual costs. Overall the build is £20k as I’ve bought everything already
@@GadgetJohn - cheers mate
Just a question about the panels how long did they take to fit? I realise you had to fit the ceiling so don't need to be included in the time etc. Just weighing up the cost versus time saved. They look very professional.
I’d say once the ceiling is in you can easily fit the panels in a few hours, definitely a day.
@@GadgetJohn thanks John that's definitely made my mind up. Thanks for the reply and great content
Have you seen how Joseph at "Sharing The Wild" builds his units John.
I’ve never heard of him, checked him out but I don’t think I’d do things his way.
Hi John I did mentioned before there is a company called Decorative vinyl doors in south street Ashton-under-lyne ask for Steve the boss he can make any cabinetry you want including doors any size any shape any colour great guy could be helpful for you
Thanks, though I really want to try & do this myself.
@@GadgetJohn yeah no worries pal but if you’re struggling this guy can make anything if you give him a profile he can cut it and pvc edge it 🤷♂️
Does it make a difference in feeling of warmth does it feel warm with the insulation in there or feel colder with what a presume is a plastic material lining it. Be nice to get your intake on it regarding keeping heat in when the heaters are in. Good work so far pal. Is there a trim for the top side corners
Forget the last bit should of watched it all first 😂
It’s very cosy inside, the workshop isn’t heated but the van get nice & warm if I close the doors, so just from my body heat 👍🏻
👍
Hope you don't mind me asking but how expensive are them kits and do they do them for other van slyke Iveco some foods and stuff like that thank you for your response if possible thank you very much
Feel free to click the link in the video description to the suppliers website for pricing.
I LOVE your “automotive” finish panels!!! Just brilliant and well done you. I really dislike the vast majority of “log cabin” van builds. They are far too heavy and just plain ugly to me. It’s a vehicle, not a log cabin.
Yeah clinical look is way better eh .lol
As well as the finish, that kit must be way lighter than plywood or tongue and groove.
You must be absolutely minted mate them panels cost a fortune
The panel kit is 50% less than the cost of wood, fabric, paint and if you consider the cost of nails, screws, glue to fix all that together and then not forgetting your time.
Wierd, think you have a valid point, hope when it comes to mandy van they might all match.
WHAT,you went to a pub,how very dare you,hehehe.
I am personally glad not to see wood cladding. It looks clean and tidy.
That is unacceptable! Wrong plastic all together
Check the comments, they’ve left a very detailed comment explaining why it looks different. After the loo wall goes up the panel will not stand out as it’ll be isolated.
100% those panels are a game changer and similar to your Autofail and Burstner, carpeted Transporters gather dust, dirt and cooking smells which people slowly learn. My only advise that I’m sure you will be aware of it to create ventilation gaps in your cupboards so they get some air… most converters forget. 👍🏼🛠🚐🇦🇪
Yes, the main reason I’ll be including air gaps at the back of my cupboards is to avoid the contents getting baked as the outside of the van heats up in summer.
So the manufacturer said the difference in finish is ok. For what the panels cost they should be spot on. You can see the difference on camera. That said it's looking good so far. Good to see you're not cladding it in awful pine tongue and groove.