RParts VIP
Ordering and Application Guidelines

Designing your box to use RParts VIPs
R-panels are one inch thick and are custom made to fit your box size and shape.  You provide us with templates or drawings of each individual panel (sorry - we cannot accept complete box drawings) and we make them to your specifications. 

What we cannot do -

bulletMake curved panels.  All panels are flat.  They cannot be bent without damage (and loss of vacuum).  To follow a curved wall, use several panels at an angle to each other.
bulletMake inside corners or "L" and "U" shaped notches. If you require an L-shaped panel, it is necessary to use two panels to achieve it.
bulletPut a hole in the middle of a panel.  If you happen to have tubing coming into your box, a small diagonal can be designed across one corner of your panel (the right, upper corner let's say) so that you are then left with a triangular opening at the top through which your tubing can enter.  The small gap can be foamed in once your tubing is installed.
bulletMake curved or beveled edges on a panel.  Trapezoids, parallelograms, rectangles and the like are all acceptable shapes.  Circles are not.

Making templates or drawings.
Figuring out the exact size and shape of a panel you need can be challenging.  This is particularly true on a boat where everything intersects at some odd angle.  If your box it one of these you may find it easier to make templates of the panels you require than to try to accurately draw and dimension it. Whether you choose to make drawings or templates, remember that there are manufacturing tolerances of +/- 1/4" in the finished panel dimensions. Over the years our customers have devised many ways of making accurate templates.  The most popular is to start with the empty space in the cabinetry where you place to build the box.  Using any kind of 1" thick foam, cut and trim individual pieces (overlapping the corners) so that you build a "box" within the space.  (RParts VIPs are 1" thick so they will match the foam "templates" you are have made).  We suggest that you leave a little space (gaps) around the foam templates.  This will make it much easier to install the finished panels without damaging them and accommodate any small dimensional variations in the production process.  Any gaps remaining can be filled in with "spray-in" foam and will have very little impact on the performance of the finished box. 

The great thing about making templates is that you know your panels are going to fit.   Once your templates are finished, place an order for the VIPs on our web site (your price will be based on overall dimensions) and mail your templates in to the address provided.

If you are confident in your drawing ability, you can save time and hassle by downloading CAD files or faxing us your drawings directly at the time you place your order.  Our ordering system will walk you through the process.  If you plan to download files, have them ready at the time you place your order.  In all cases - make certain that your drawings include ALL the dimensions needed to fabricate your panels.  Return to the Order Your Custom R-28 VIPs area to place your order now.

Installing your VIPs
Due to the wide variety of icebox shapes and installations, it is not practical to describe one installation method that would be suitable for all of them.   What we can offer is some simple guidelines which hold true in all installations and leave it to your own ingenuity to work out the details.

Installation "DOs":

bulletDo use spray foam, epoxy or some other material to fill gaps between the VIP and the inside box liner.  The goal is to avoid leaving "pockets" of air space between the panels and liner which could turn into traps for condensate water.  One advantage in VIPs is that (unlike traditional foam) their insulation performance is not degraded by the presence of water.  However, water accumulation can still rust surrounding metal and rot nearby wood so it is best to avoid it. 
bulletDo make sure that any surface which may come in contact with the panels is completely free of sharp edges, burrs and splinters.  Once in place, RParts VIPs are very durable.  However, they are easily damaged by puncture and/or abrasion during the installation process. 
bulletDo recognize that there are manufacturing tolerances of +/- 1/4" in finished panel dimensions.  Be sure to leave sufficient space to comfortably install your panel without forcing it.  Never try to "jam" your panel into a tight space. 

Installation Don'ts:

bulletDon't worry about a few gaps around your panels during your installation.  Just be sure to fill them with spray foam (or similar) to prevent the formation of moisture pockets.  Contrary to popular belief, the thermal impact of such gaps is tiny.
bulletDon't, use your panels inside your box without a sturdy protective liner.  It may seem obvious but its been done!
bulletDon't drill, twist, bend or cut your panels.  If the vacuum is lost, so is 85% of the effective R value.
bulletDon't use a solvent-based adhesive to glue you panels into place.  Epoxy, spray foam  and most polyurethane adhesives work extremely well and will not damage the barrier film.  Avoid polyester and other styrene resins.