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pinkflamingoes · 01-22-2006, 08:43 PM

This weekend I removed the last of the bubbling window tint from the windows of the TW. We also installed gasket on almost all windows, we are removing windows and re-installing with new bedding tape in addition to new gasket. Turns out one of the windows, streetside front bottom, is not a Corning window! I'll include a picture. The window tint is not scraping off nearly as easily as the rest of the windows did, not that they were easy, that was my first indication. It's also missing the Corning insignia in the corner.

Question: Should we replace the windowpane and re-silicone, or just scrape off all old silicone and see if we can keep it? It doesn't look like it curves...but it is on the side of the trailer...hmmmm...

Next step after windows is to order a new back access door and figure out what configuration our new water tanks should take underneath the floor. We're probably going to have to take out the "new" floor we put in (we only did the front section and didn't bolt the shell back to the frame yet) to install the tanks, but removing and replacing the floor, while it's a pain, won't be too bad.

Any input on water tank placement would help, especially on this model. We're custom ordering them, we think.

pinkflamingoes · 01-22-2006, 08:45 PM

I can't emphasize enough that you have to put on a layer of glue, let it dry to the touch, and then attach gasket with another layer. It will NOT stick unless you do this!!

BIGED52 · 01-24-2006, 01:11 AM

Ingrid, That non-Corning glass window (if it is glass) is probably a replacement tempered piece of glass and is flat glass. Previous PO could have had it installed at a glass shop in the past because until recently you could not get replacement glass, in Corning glass, unless you found somebody parting out a 66-67-68 or a salvage yard that just happened to have a piece. Thank goodness for Steve H. and Vintage Trailer Supply for coming to our rescue. That piece you have is just as serviceable as a stamped piece of Corning or the new heat tempered windows that Vintage Trailer Supply sells, as long as it is really tempered. Problem is how do you tell if it really is tempered? If you are going to remove it to seal it with bedding tape and reinstall it... while it's out take it to your local glass shop and the can tell you if it is indeed tempered glass. If not, you can order a piece while you are there... and they can get all the size and thickness info they need right on the spot! I got both of my tempered flat front and rear windows from my local shop in 1/8" thickness to match the ones that I ordered from VTS and the cost for both of them was less than for one flat window from VTS. Since they were flat glass I went for the savings and had no shipping costs either. They say heat tempered glass stamped right on them from the manufacturer and you really can't tell the difference unless you look for the AS2 printed on the ones from VTS. Ed

BIGED52 · 01-24-2006, 01:34 AM

Ingrid, I also noticed in your photo of the window that the one that is opened looks like it has a aluminum frame on it. Is that right or is it just sunlight reflection and my old mid-fifties eyes acting up again? Ed

pinkflamingoes · 01-24-2006, 10:04 AM

Now that you mention it, it does look like it has a frame, but that's a picture I took before the removal of the window tint, so the edges look shiny because of the sun. There's no frame on it. Good eyes though!

I'm not so sure that window leaks, it's not broken, and doesn't open, so maybe I can just get that tinting off with some more scraping and re-seal it and squirt it with a hose. If it's not broken or missing, and it's flat, I don't need a new window. But we'll see how much I'm scratching it up getting tint off with the razor blade, if it's plastic. The rest of the windows, while removing the tint wasn't easy, it did come off with no scratches. Gotta use a sharp blade and lots of ammonia though!

pinkflamingoes · 03-26-2006, 02:01 AM

Okay! I think we successfully installed a window today! We used the wide bedding tape but it didn't stick to the window very well, it felt like it was too thin in depth. The window and the bedding tape both came out so I think it was too skinny or something, maybe the glass bar isn't clamping the way it's supposed to. Used some two sided tape on both sides of the window under the bedding tape and it clamped up real nice. We are good to go (I think).

All the window tint is removed, new replacement windows should arrive in a few days, took off all window clips and the assemblies to open and close the window, I'm going to clean them up and put them back on . Right now they're individually labeled and bagged up. I might order one of those cool tumblers for the small parts to avoid polishing little things by hand.

We're putting fresh and grey tanks under the frame close to the axles, as big as possible as per Uwe's advice. We order those next after windows are done. More floor comes out also, for the frame POR15 coat and the measurement for tanks.

Feeling good about the project again now that a window (hopefully) is staying in.

pinkflamingoes · 05-28-2006, 11:35 PM

Installed the last of the windows that we have in our possession. Waiting for one more small sized curved window and I'm going to order a new Lexan scratch resistant pane for the front, and I'm done. Put in most of the window crank mechanisms and window clips.

Best of all, we bolted part of the shell back down. It was a tough job on one corner but we got it bolted. Tomorrow we finish installing the rest of the bolts on that front end and I start ripping up more floor. The best part about this is the spectre of bolting the shell down again has shrunk down to normal size...a pain in the neck, but normal size!

Condoluminum · 05-29-2006, 11:11 AM

Ingrid-

Glad to hear the update.. Glad to hear new windows and shell didn't get blown away by winds over the holiday weekend... Sounds like it's almost time for your husband to do his carpentry thing and get interior finished.. Did you solve shower pan question? Lowes and Home Depot sell a number of fiberglass shower setups that can probably be "adjusted" with a saber saw to fit your interior plan... Keep the faith!

John McG

pinkflamingoes · 05-29-2006, 01:54 PM

Nah...we need to finish the exterior first. Meaning frame and floor. Thanks though. Once we get the exterior done he'll be way more excited about it. He's a kitchen/bath contractor and has always hated the big demo/structural stuff.

You know... I have a present for you...I almost forgot...I'll send it tomorrow.

:-)

i.

pinkflamingoes · 05-29-2006, 04:01 PM

re-attaching the shell to the new floor/c-channel, whoooee what a pain. Not impossible, but not fun. Anyway, it's done. Pictures coming soon. I'm going to wait for things to cool down this evening and finish up installing window crank assemblies, lubing them and putting them on.

pinkflamingoes · 05-30-2006, 11:19 PM

We grabbed zinc plated bolts from the hardware store because they were out of SS. Not a big deal, I'll return them tomorrow and get SS, we need to probably take off that front end of the shell, trim down the floor a little more to fit the belly pan on under the shell, and put on the belly pan, then, reattach the shell on the front. I'm going to continue floor removal tomorrow and install all window crank assemblies.

I'm guessing that I should fix the floor and replace the shell on the ends of the trailer and leave the middle section of flooring until last, to make things like plumbing and tanks etc. easier.

Is anyone reading my thread? Give me some advice and encouragement, if you have it.

john hd · 05-30-2006, 11:34 PM

i watch your thread regularly ingrid!

keep at it, you are getting there!

john

pinkflamingoes · 06-01-2006, 03:28 PM

I tore out the rest of the whole floor today! It took an hour. I pulled out all the nails, used a circular saw to cut squares in the floor, avoiding where the floor was attached with bolts. I'm cutting those off later. Hammered and nail puller-ed off the rest, some came off with my hands, some came out with more cuts into smaller pieces. The edges were rotted enough not to have to worry about removing from the c-channel bolts. Edges came right out.

Pictures coming soon. I even took out a wheel well and the b/w tank and its pan, what's left of it. Cleaned up too. Next up: grinding off bolts, cleaning frame and POR15.

Shower time...

Condoluminum · 06-01-2006, 03:36 PM

That doesn't sound quite right, but the thought is good... I pity the floor boards when you got rolling... I fear before long your hubby is going to have to let you join his contracting business as tear-out specialist... (at least all his power tools would be at the job site..

)

We're reading and following and full of encouragment (among other things..). Hopefully you'll get it rolling and get through softball season and be able to use it, if even as a hard-walled tent with windows and a water tank... Sorry to see POR-15 come out again, but hope this is last round...

John McG

pinkflamingoes · 06-01-2006, 04:38 PM

[quote=Condoluminum]I fear before long your hubby is going to have to let you join his contracting business as tear-out specialist... (at least all his power tools would be at the job site..

)

I've already threatened to start a business of my own and show him some competition, I have to do most of the house repairs myself since he's out making everyone else's house look nice! Plus my sponsored team would whup his tail on the ballfield!

Watch your mailbox...

Pics: You can see the old b/w tank box and the wheel well against the brick fence. We're keeping the tank for now in case we need it for a template or something.

pinkflamingoes flexes like Ahnold

Condoluminum · 06-01-2006, 08:00 PM

Ingrid-

As I celebrate Rivet Mastery, it occurs to me that the ad for your trailer might have included some errors... After following your posts, perhaps it should have read:

1967 Airstream Tradewind Trailer "Kit"
Contains a few good sections of aluminum sheet, an acceptable frame and an axle, plus some other stuff. Will need the following:
- Some disassembly and re-assembly required
- Special curvy windows and mounting secrets not included
- Interior furnishings provided as ballast and critter habitat only
- POR-15 recommended, but not included
- Floor included only as temporary place to work from. Will need replacement
- Plumbing and Wiring included as suggestions only. Your design may vary!
- Appliances would be a good idea also, but these aren't so great
- A patient husband and a good sense of humor also required
Price: Negotiable, but would like not to have to pay too much to have it towed away

Sounds like that would have earned an "Honesty in Advertising" award...

We're now hoping to see it at Russian River next year, if not at Lake San Antonio in October...

John McG

>> Hope this helps with a good laugh...

pinkflamingoes · 06-01-2006, 08:24 PM

I do have to say, the seller of the trailer was just about that honest...told me it was dirty...three times, then..."Did I mention it was dirty?" Full disclosure was the object of the game...we even discussed my patience and willingness to learn.

Would I have purchased this trailer knowing then what I do now?

Let's just say, it might have scared me off of buying ANYTHING vintage, because of what I didn't know. We drove as far as we did for the double axle, and knowing we were going to gut it. I'm still happy when I see it in the driveway and as I continue to work, read, and figure out, everything gets easier and my confidence goes way up. Removing the front half of the floor wasn't any harder than this back half, but this time I knew what I was doing. I knew to pull out nails, not to saw where the floor is bolted to the frame, and careful around the edges of the shell. I also knew how the wheel well was attached and what that weird styrofoam box was that I was tearing out in the back. I knew what odd-looking rusty boxes I was removing, and even marked on the wall (thermostat went here...this was a circuit panel...etc). So it took me an hour vs. a week.

I found something else out about my marriage. I thought my husband wasn't interested in working on the trailer, he's been so hesitant to get me started on the jobs involving power tools. Today he finally confessed to me that he's afraid I'll hurt myself and he'll feel responsible, that he wants to be there to at least watch so I'm not alone. I'd been getting frustrated with his procrastination on the trailer work, but he insisted he's excited about it, just up to his neck in remodel work. I was touched, but informed him that if he doesn't show me how to use a tool, I'll pull it out and plug it in myself and then I'll almost definitely lose a digit or an eye. Nuff said, and we got to work.

Am I ill? I'm looking forward to POR15-ing the frame. Yes, that's now a verb.

Busy with girls' softball this weekend (Daddy said she can play any sport she wants, as long as it involves a bat and a ball) then, end of the year activities (I'm the reluctant PTA lady, cussing and swearing at Costco) then I start on this baby regular.

BIGED52 · 06-01-2006, 11:15 PM

Ingrid, Great progress report on your work. Hope you get lots of floor done soon. I agree with you on the corners first. If replacing plumbing and tanks is next then do the rest of the floor after. I just got word from Steve at VTS...no new clips yet so I'm still on hold for the windows. I did get a box full of metal and plastic parts for my refridgerator in the last week. (Including a Striker Rod) It appears to be rusty and I think it is frozen internally as the striker wheel won't turn. I'm going to try to soak it in Breakfrre over the weekend and see if I can get it to work. The Airshow is in town this weekend and the Blue Angels keep flying over the house.....man are they loud this year! We live at the western end of the main runway for the Quad Cities International Airport so everything comes right over the top of the house on takeoff and landing. I just run out everytime I hear a propeller or military jet engine........just love the old WWII Bombers and fighters. The newer jets are loud and fierce looking but there is something more romantic and stirring about the old stuff....must be some connection to old trailers there somewhere!!!LoL! Anyhow, just letting you know you have one loyal reader here in the Midwest. Keep up the good work! Ed

SilverToy · 06-02-2006, 01:58 AM

Pink et al -

I just LOVE to read thread like this where there is the evident sense of "CAN DO" spirit....

Yes, there is always more to do than you thought or imagined.... But still and all, YOU keep on keeping on....!!!! And your husband of course.

The spirit of your posts keeps coming thorough! You will have an AS to admire when all is said and done! Enjoy!

Thanks!!!

Axel

rivetd · 06-02-2006, 09:54 AM

I'm reading this thread with great interest since becoming the proud owner of my very first Airstream, a 1967 Tradewind! Ingrid; maybe I can learn from your mistakes! Hehe. You're doing a great job! I'm just finishing up the running gear on mine so I still have a long way to go.
You guys are right, the folks at Inland and VTS are awesome! I've been collecting up parts for several weeks now and they've been indespensible. Still need an exterior door hinge. I'll post some pics when I figure out how. I've uploaded them but not sure how to get them to show here?
Keep up the good work and sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I just got excited when I found it and realized it was still active.

Thanks a million,
Dale

PS- I guess I figured it out!