Visit our Popular Forums

streaming24 · 05-25-2016, 10:24 AM

Hi Slats,
I like the idea of the Tuscan theme. Don't forget to include the Brunello in your planning. Maybe we will run across each other someday at a campsite and we can open a few bottles.
Cliff / Streaming 24

Slats · 05-29-2016, 08:07 PM

Although meeting up and comparing Tradewinds would be fun, I'd have to pass on the brunello. I was never very good at pacing myself and I wound up going through my whole lifetime allotment of alcohol by the time I was 34 and then switched to running and pie.

Here is a shot of my new axles and two of the original wheels I had sandblasted and then painted with my favorite color, Ford New Holland Tractor Blue, which is, admittedly, not very Tuscan.

I got the other two wheels back from the sandblaster the other day and sprayed one coat of paint on them. Tomorrow they will get a second coat and then they go to the tire shop for new shoes. The baby moons are on order.

Atomic_13 · 05-31-2016, 10:27 AM

Looking great, Dale! My KS rural upbringing makes me fond of the blue. I have a few quick questions:

1) What type of plywood did you choose? Were you able to source 5/8 in the KC metro area? I've had a hard time finding ACX locally. Schuette lumber evidently can order it but it's expensive. I decided to have my brother (he works in the wood industry) order me 5/8 marine grade plywood.

2) Any thoughts as to what you are going to use to paint the vinyl walls? I'm leaning towards Zoletone flex (http://www.zolatone.com/finishes/#/flex) that can be applied with a roller. I believe Colin Hyde recommends using a plastic primer from PPG followed by an automotive bumper paint. Others have used Krylon Fusion in a spray can.

Slats · 06-07-2016, 07:06 AM

I found 5/8" marine plywood at Schutte Lumber on Southwest Boulevard.

I haven't given much thought to interior paint yet. I usually buy whatever strikes my fancy off the shelf at Tractor Supply or Dollar General.

dbj216 · 06-07-2016, 07:00 PM

I purchased 5/8 exterior plywood finished on one side at the local big box store. I sealed it up with a couple coats of polyurethane, including the all important edges, after cutting to size. I don't believe my 66 had any waterproofing from the factory, and it lasted 50 years. Good enough for me.

The main thing is the moisture detector as well as leak detection using a "seal tek" method. I pressurize the interior of the trailer with a rented bounce house fan and soap the seams. It seems to find most of the leaks. A dry subfloor helps it last longer.

Your making good progress on your blue framed Trade Wind.

David

Slats · 02-26-2017, 07:28 PM

Life got a little busy at the day job since my last post, but I've been trying to consistently chip away at my Tradewind project when I can on Saturday afternoons, albeit sometimes in fits and starts.

Yesterday was rear banana wrap fabrication day. Picked up the aluminum at Airparts Friday, traced on it around the old corroded, ratty pieces, cut the new pieces with my trusty Harbor Freight electric metal shears and formed them into shape. I'm lucky to only be a few miles away from Airparts. The folks there are really great, friendly and helpful.

Also got the rivet holes on the front plate to line up with the ones on the shell and have it firmly held in place with clecos (thanks again to Airparts for the clecos). No pics of any of yesterday's stuff, but here are a few shots of some earlier fits and starts:

Atomic_13 · 02-27-2017, 01:28 PM

Progress! Way to go, Dale. Sure feels good to get the shell back on.

dbj216 · 02-27-2017, 05:25 PM

Hello Kansas City Airstreamers! Nice to hear from you guys. It's been a while.

Yea, Clap, Clap, Clap! We have a touchdown! There has been just a lot of work done to get to this point. Congratulations.

I agree with your assessment of Airparts. I've ordered all my aluminum from them, mostly belly pan 5052 material. Having done three trailers, it is quite a bit of material. I especially like the boxes they ship the rolls in. I use them to hold my hardwood moldings and other "sticks".

Hey, when you retire you can work on the Airstream everyday. I'm working on my son's 69 Globetrotter this winter. New black tank, new fridge, a couple new bulkhead walls and the like. But nothing on the magnitude of you Kansas City guys.

David

Slats · 04-15-2017, 10:12 PM

It took what seemed a month of Saturdays to get the shell back into position with all the rivet holes lined up, but I now have shell riveted to the C channel across the rear (the rear access panel relieved the need for a bucking bar partner). A lot of friends have offered to help, though, so I won't have any trouble getting someone to man the bucking bar as I work my way around the sides.

Getting close to having an aluminum tent!😛

Slats · 06-22-2017, 08:15 PM

Pun intended.

After realizing that the rear-most section of my new subfloor somehow turned out to be about 1/4 inch short, give or take an 1/8 inch or so, I toyed with removing it and cutting a new section. Measure twice again and cut once again and all that. But I quickly discarded that thought. Instead I decided oh what the hell, so the shell will be a little wavy on the rear corners. So I forged ahead, using a few more closely spaced rivets as I went around the corners. I'm sure I'll pay a further price when I start reinstalling the interior walls, but so far I seem able to correct my witless vision with my rose-colored glasses and a healthy dose of denial.

Boy, cleaning 50 years of residue off of the trim bands took forever, but they look pretty good now and are ready to rivet back on.

By the way, I'm thinking about riveting the shell to the wheel wells with buck rivets. Anyone know of a reason why not to do this? It seems to me it would lend strength to the whole structure.

Slats · 07-21-2017, 08:52 PM

Here are a few recent pics. It felt good to pull the AS out of the garage, even though it still has quite a way to go before it is travel-ready.

TouringDan · 07-22-2017, 09:44 PM

Slats

Your photos look great. Beautiful work! You are going to have an outstanding Tradewind when you are finished.

Dan

dbj216 · 07-23-2017, 06:11 AM

I agree. Now you and Terry know what it's like to run an Airstream factory. Your trailer is built by you from the ground up. It is a very strong Trade Wind.

David

Slats · 07-23-2017, 08:09 PM

Thanks for the kind comments. I think it looks pretty good, as well, or at least good enough. I'm thinking we will leave the exterior the way it is, blemishes and all. There is to me a sort of reverse coolness about having an Airstream that looks its age but is structurally sound. At least that's what the leave-it-alone angel on my right shoulder is telling me, although the little anal retentive devil on my left shoulder has yet to throw in the towel.

While the better-than-average condition of the shell (no dents) was the tipping point for shelling out $5,500 for the Tradewind, the subfloor (below) was the tipping point for pulling the shell off and doing a ground-up rehab.

It is amazing how overwhelming a project like this can seem at times. But it has only taken a little over two years of just working on Saturday afternoons to get to this point. Eating an elephant one bite at a time is the perfect metaphor.

dbj216 · 07-24-2017, 05:03 PM

Slats: You are right, there is a big following of Airstream enthusiasts who enjoy the look of a 50 year old trailer, dents and all. Patina is attractive. Leaving it looking a bit used but so strong underneath will be very cool. And you can always "polish" or improve the exterior some day later. It might take a year of Saturday afternoons, but doable.

David

Slats · 07-31-2017, 10:46 AM

Anyway, ahead of polishing come a million other things, like replacing the weatherstripping for the door and windows. What's best and where do I get it? VTS has a lot of good replacement materials and so far I'm happy with most of what I have ordered from them. What do you think about their stuff in this category?

Bubba L · 07-31-2017, 11:36 AM

Slats, during the renovation on our 66 Safari, we installed all weatherstripping, gaskets and the glazing seals on the fixed panes from VTS. All sealed well and has held up for the last couple of years without leaks. With our mid 60s frameless windows, we treat the weatherstripping with silicone spray so it doesn't stick to the glass. You have a great project going. Good luck. Bubba

dbj216 · 07-31-2017, 01:16 PM

I too used VTS "ribbed" weatherstripping around the Corning frameless windows. I too treat the rubber with silicone so it won't stick. I learned the hard way what happens without the silicone.

David

TouringDan · 08-02-2017, 11:41 PM

David

Thanks for the comment about using silicone on the rubber.

Where did you get your Tradewind tail lights? Are they LED? They look great.

Dan

dbj216 · 08-03-2017, 06:19 PM

Hi TouringDan: I believe I got the tail light at Inland RV. They are bright LEDs. The single filament 12v light brake light was just not bright enough for me, especially in the Colorado sunshine. I want drivers to see my brake lights during the day when I slow for a fuel stop or something.

The silicone works on the window seals, but kinda messy. I wonder of sticking was one of the reasons Airstream but a frame around the windows in 68 and all subsequent years. I think breakage and head smacks from the nearly invisible edge were reasons too. I put a little piece of red electrical tape in the corner of the windows so I have less of an excuse for running into them.

David