Well, it has been a long time away - while my 23' '70 Safari has waited patiently in the driveway. Thanks for understanding neighbors. Now, business has slowed enough (Catch 22) that I can get back to my own full monty. The inside skins started coming off this past weekend and to make it just that much more difficult, I have been removing the vinylclad as much as possible before pealing the skins. Some adhesive and edges left due to overlap and such - but much easier than working overhead and vertical. The looming question (and I have been looking through this thread - the Mother of all Threads) is - how are folks pulling off the Full Monte (FM) now? What kind of weight am I dealing with? Any traveling pros out there? If build the device to pull this off, will anyone want to use it after I am finished (always looking for a business angle)? Thanks all, Shannon Drawe
Greetings! First, a question for you. Are you actually removing the vinyl from the aluminum inner walls? I'd love to see some pics and an explanation of how you're doing that.
As to removing the shell from the frame, I didn't actually do that, but many others have. There are several ways to do it. Generally, it involves removing the interior, then the rivets along the bottom of the shell, then building a frame inside the camper to keep the shell from deforming too much. The shell can then be lifted off using a couple of differnet methods. I may be able to provide a couple of links tonight showing how others have done it.
Good luck and let us know how it's going.
Jim
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
I've just spent a couple of hours reading through this thread, and I realized about halfway through that the dates at the top were getting too close to present, while the number of remaining pages was becoming too few, for me to hope to see pictures of a finished product. I can't deny that I'm a bit disappointed, but I suppose I'm just selfish that way!
Anyway, you've done some great work, and I've learned a lot while following your restoration.
I also just saw that A Merry can posted, and I've been following his restoration as well with great interest (and equal disappointment that I cannot yet see a finished product ).
Not to get too philosophical, but a funny thing are these threads, where a total stranger like me can learn so much about what you've been doing and the small things that have affected your life and your projects over a period of years, while you know nothing at all about me. I'm currently looking for my first vintage AS right now, so perhaps one day soon I can begin my own odyssey, and offer you and others a glimpse into my world, as you have been gracious enough to allow me.
Good luck on the remaining work, and I'll be reading to hear and see how it all turns out.
It's a piece of cherry that my buddy Eric and I worked up in his wood shop. I missed out on the plastic ones that a forum member had made a few months back, so I thought I try it in cherry wood. It has 6 coats of gloss spar varnish on it. That should stand up to the weather for a while.
Jim
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
Thanks for the kind words, utee. I've been saying for two years now that "I've got to get this thing finished" and back on the road so we actually USE it. Some day.
I spent some time in Austin, many, many years ago. "Yes, Virginia, there really is a Balcones." (Did I spell that right?) Great place and hope to make it back there some day.
There is a thread someplace that links to several "Full Monty/Monte" threads like this one. I'll see if I can find it for you.
Good luck with your search.
Jim
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
Thanks, that's the very thread in fact that brought me here.
I've now read through yours, A Merry Can's, uwe's, and Sergei's. I'm sure in the coming days and weeks I'll make it through the others as well. I'm eager to start one of my own, and seeing the work that all of you fine people do is certainly inspiring to say the least.
"Balcones" is indeed spelled correctly.
Oh, and as a sometime amateur woodworker, I must say that your cherry cover is beautiful.
Got a few more things done this weekend. I was hoping to be ready to start putting in the insulation this weekend, but alas, not 'til next week. All that's left before insulating is to finish cleaning the interior side of the exterior walls (for the third time) and a little more sealant in a few places inside.
Here's a couple of pic's. The first one is of the tag holder. It was rusted pretty bad, but otherwise in good shape. So a little sanding and silver Rustoleum and not too bad.
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
I had read in another thread someplace that the fresh water inlets were prone to breaking up and falling apart. They're plastic and I suppose dry out, crack and break. PizzaChop had mentioned that he repaired his with fiberglass and resin, so off we go.
I think I kinda got carried away, but it should last awhile now. Still needs some cleaning up, but you get the idea.
Jim
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
I've cleaned the inner walls twice, but decided to give it one more going over before the insulation goes in. See the yellow stuff on the walls? That's the remnants of the glue used to hold the orignal pink stuff insulation in there by the guys at the factory. Every time I wash these walls, more of that yellow stuff comes off, but you can never seem to get it all outta there. Has anybody else seen this? I'm wondering if maybe it's the remnants of a heavy smoker. It doesn't really smell like that, however.
__________________
What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
Having worked in the trades I can only imagine what exotic solvents they used back in early 70's; whoever applied that adhesive must've been buzzing off the fumes. I felt fortunate they were sparing with it under liners I've pulled so far... It doesn't appear to be well applied - either spray gun clogging or rollered on.
I've cleaned the inner walls twice, but decided to give it one more going over before the insulation goes in. See the yellow stuff on the walls? That's the remnants of the glue used to hold the orignal pink stuff insulation in there by the guys at the factory. Every time I wash these walls, more of that yellow stuff comes off, but you can never seem to get it all outta there. Has anybody else seen this? I'm wondering if maybe it's the remnants of a heavy smoker. It doesn't really smell like that, however.
My Silver Streak had the same and it was glue, not smoke residue.
Barry
__________________ Take care. Unlike your puppy, it is so embarrassing to put your Airstream to bed belly up.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV AIR #7364 WBCCI #8110 member 4CU
Quick Links
).
Actually it's a new cover for one of these:
Linear Mode
