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worldinchaos · 02-21-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmitch5

She's going to go from "cheap and trashy" to OMG how classy! I can't wait to see your progress!

That's a good point!

Sounds like you should name your trailer Vivian after the character in Pretty Woman.

Make sure to update us regularly!

beckybillrae · 02-21-2012, 02:06 PM

Looking forward to following your restoration! My Bambi II was a sad thing too, but she's coming along! Another Bambi saved!

Bambified · 04-22-2012, 09:20 AM

Well I've got her into my workshop and we've removed the entire interior, but I keep inturrupting progress because I just can't keep myself from putting some polish on her.

As I stated earlier, this Bambi is full of dents, dings, and scratches, so I'm removing the interior panels and insulation so that I can attempt to work the panels out from the inside.

Because this Bambi will be a "custom" and not all original, It's value will be somewhat less than a fully restored "all original" Bambi when I am all finished with the restoration. As such, replacing exterior panels is way too expensive for my budget and would put me too far upside down in my investment even though I do not intend to ever sell her. I'll just bump out what dents and dings I can, polish her, and leave it at that.

The skin on this Bambi is the worst I have ever seen. The oxidation is extremely heavy and there is even some disintegration of the aluminum clear through along the bottom of the trailer. F9 Nuvite has proven insufficient to remove all of the oxidation, so I've had to resort to wet sanding with 400 grade metal sandpaper, then polish. As you can see from the photo, this has proven to work very effectively and is fast.

JazzDad · 04-23-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambified

There are bullet holes ...

Bullet holes. I love it!

Bambified · 04-26-2012, 06:16 AM

The previous owner of my Bambi slathered silicone all over its windows in an effort stop leaks. I spent 3-hours removing silicone from just the small window frame at the rear of the Bambi.

I hate silicone. Nothing will dissolve it. It is impervious to everything and you can't just sand it off either. Its so pliable, it just moves and shape-changes, but remains stuck to whatever surface its glommed on to. All you can do is pick away at it until it is all gone.

I used razor blades, a scraper, and a various sizes of flathead screw drivers to get the rubbery globs of the stuff off of the windows and out of the window frame channels. I then painfully sanded away the tiny remaining bits and fragments of silicone that remained begrudgingly wedged into every nook and cranny of the window assembly. ARRRGGGHHH!!!

beckybillrae · 04-26-2012, 07:23 AM

Dental picks are a great help in removing silicone from crevices. Harbor freight has some that came in handy when I was in your nightmare!

bwoodtx · 04-26-2012, 07:48 AM

I like a cheap, trashy girl every now and again

Seriously, looks like a great project. Have fun and do like you want to. It's yo traylah, man

Bambified · 04-26-2012, 12:06 PM

Hey what a great idea. I'll give it a try with a dental pick. I still have two more windows to do.

Unfortunately, one of my side windows has been removed. The window frame and original glass are gone. The prior owner removed them, cemented a solid piece of plexiglass into the window opening, and then applied generous portions of silicone around all of the edges. It looked like it was applied with a spoon. What a mess. I've managed to get some of it off, but it needs a lot more effort to get it all cleaned off.

The side window frames on my Bambi are 29 inches wide and 18.5 inches high. I don't know if that is a stock window size for any other vintage airstream. I'm thinking if not, I might be able to find a larger window frame from any old airstream and size it down to replace my missing window frame. Bambi parts are just impossible to find.

Here is what the missing window frame looks like.

utee94 · 04-26-2012, 03:32 PM

Ahh, the irony of silicone. Sticks to aluminum with almost desparate tenacity, yet doesn't stop a thing from getting through.

rumrunner · 04-26-2012, 09:01 PM

Check your local Lowes or home depot for silicone remover, VTS also has a good one i am told. Carefully razorblade off the thickest parts and the remainder goes a lot faster.
tim

Sodbust · 04-26-2012, 09:45 PM

Our Overlander had some silly puckey around a few window frames.. Don't know why no one else has done this but I do it all the time working in my farm shop to clean off old silicone.. A rag soaked in gas,, laid over it for around 20 minutes,,,, it just brushes off.. Another treatment of gas it will then rub off whats left with a towel. Watch out for static sparks,, and open flame but works like a charm..

Sodbust

Bambified · 04-26-2012, 10:21 PM

Hey, thanks for all these great tips and advice. I'll try 'em all.

Check out the custom paint on my Bambi's Airstream rear plate, courtesy of a zealous previous owner.

ND10CentCan · 04-26-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Dental picks are a great help in removing silicone from crevices. Harbor freight has some that came in handy when I was in your nightmare!

I did the same thing and used dental picks to clean up about twenty five tubes of silicone off of various surfaces from windows to roof vents on our AS. I was telling my dentist about the use of these nifty tools and he said when they can't reuse or resharpen their dental tools, they clean them and then give them to people who restore furniture, work on engines, etc. I wish I had known that before I bought the sets I got, but in the end it all worked out well.

I also got the VTS silicone remover which does work but took a lot of time to work. No matter what you do, it all seems to take too much time. I have learned to really dislike silicone in the process and am willing to support a bill against its use in the United States and Canada and serious consequences for anyone slathering it on an Airstream.
Sandy

REDSLED88 · 05-05-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambified

Hey what a great idea. I'll give it a try with a dental pick. I still have two more windows to do.

Unfortunately, one of my side windows has been removed. The window frame and original glass are gone. The prior owner removed them, cemented a solid piece of plexiglass into the window opening, and then applied generous portions of silicone around all of the edges. It looked like it was applied with a spoon. What a mess. I've managed to get some of it off, but it needs a lot more effort to get it all cleaned off.

The side window frames on my Bambi are 29 inches wide and 18.5 inches high. I don't know if that is a stock window size for any other vintage airstream. I'm thinking if not, I might be able to find a larger window frame from any old airstream and size it down to replace my missing window frame. Bambi parts are just impossible to find.

Here is what the missing window frame looks like.

Looks like your moving along at a good clip. I was told by a mechanic friend of mine, that if you work on your trailer an hour a day, you can make some headway. That's what I try to do.... although some days it's 2-3, and 6-10 on the weekends.... Gotta love these things.

I have a thread going right now "65 Globetrotter floor on restoration"
check it out.... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...ion-89528.html

I have 3 windows to do, and a couple of roof vents, don't forget the roof vents. I bought some silicone remover from VTS... I'm using it this weekend, I'll let you know.

What year is your Bambi? Put more info in your signature, helps when searching.

I just love that little rear window, it's so cool.

Good luck,
TIMK