What to use to replace counter top?

[Imonmountain]

Hello what would be a good product to use to replace the counter top? It has a lot of dry rot. I was thinking of using 3/4 birch plywood but not sure if it will be strong enough to support the sink etc, and definitely not warp.

[JohnB]

Hi,

Do you mean the top surface or the under support structure, or both?

You must have and older Sunlines if your thinking 3/4 thick birch plywood is not heavy enough. Our 2004 vintage camper uses hollow core countertops.

Meaning, they start with a top bonded piece of formica for the surface bonded to 1/8" luan board. Then 3/4" hard wood edging all the way around creates and outer frame. It might be 2" wide under the top panel. Then a bottom 1/8" luan panel is added creating the sandwich. Around the sink cutout, they create a 3/4 framed in area too. This is all glued together.

The hollow countertop creates a lightweight option. If your using 3/4 birch plywood, it will be solid enough to hold the sink.

Hope this helps

John

Here is a few pics you might be able to see the sandwich created countertop

[JohnB]

Adding to my post, they may have make a frame inside that extends the outsides around the sink to the far edges to create more support. Like 2" wide 3/4" board inside so the sink support goes all the way to the edge. We have never had a problem with the way they made these in ours.

[Imonmountain]

The top surface. Here is the photo

[mainah]

For that short a run 3/4 ply would probably support 500# The birch plywood is also pretty flat so laminate will bond well.

[sep]

I'm betting that the particle board has taken on moisture over time and is swelling and getting brittle and not so much the actual Formica top. You could pop out the sink and old top and replace it with new particle board and Formica, or frame it out the hollow way like John was talking about including boxing out the area where the sink will rest on or use the 3/4"which you would be able to drive a tank on. See if you can get a true reading on the original thickness so you don't have to worry about the old sink brackets not mounting back up right. My old woodworking friend taught me how to finish wood and it still looks new after 25 years. Sand with 220 grit, coat of sanding sealer, sand with 400 wet grit paper but leave it dry, 3 coats of polyurethane using the 400 grit paper in between each coat. It comes out nice!! Let us know how you make out and post pictures, please.


Steve P

[mainah]

Here is the counter top I made for mine during a rebuild it's all plywood weights less thn 20#

[mainah]

All done with cutting board sink cover

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Originally Posted by mainah

All done with cutting board sink cover

You do gooood werk!!!

[mainah]

Thanks I think I'm all most done last fall I made an electric central heating system for it when I'm paying for electric whether I use it or not. Did shag carpet last fall too I hate cold feet!

[Jim-Bev-2363]

I especially like the metal backsplash. Makes it bright inside.

Is that the TV I see stuck under the rangetop? What does the motion sensor do? Lights? Do you have solar for it?

Maybe I missed the thread about all that werk.