Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please

[bhayden]

Cool, I'd thought the entire end of the trailer was steel, not just the curved part on top. Anyone know why they did this? I'm guessing it's because steel is easier to form without cracking or tearing than most aluminum alloys. It might be a little stronger depending on gauge. Did they galvanize the steel? If so that requires a special etch before paint (phosphoric acid??). Any sign of corrosion from dissimilar metals being in contact? What type of rivets, steel or aluminum?

It's geat to see what's inside my trailer without having to take mine all apart

-Bernie

[SmokelessJoe]

You always like the pictures, dieterdog.

Where’s my Airstream mouse pad?

The scratch pad I'm still using in lieu is REALLY dog-eared now!

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Bernie:

Yes, I’d always assumed the “end cap” to mean the entire ends. After I bought my trailer I realized this wasn’t so. Tapping on the metal quickly showed me that there were two different metals being used.

I don’t know why steel was used. Airstream caps are all aluminum now. Better techniques or materials eventually developed?

I don’t think the cap is galvanized. It doesn’t look it. The dull brown-black surface can’t be removed with stripper so it isn’t primer.

You can sand it off very easily so maybe its oxidization or another chemical process?

There is no corrosion from dissimilar metals that I can see. Maybe this theory is overrated?

I think the brown spots in the photo may be filler from a previous owners body repair. Just guessing.

All the rivets are aluminum and everything seems in good repair.

Once we sand it all down, prep the aluminum for painting and paint it, the little trailer will look pretty cool.

That won’t be for a few months yet so we have to prime the steel caps now.

Sergei

[3Ms75Argosy]

but a metal paint scraper... YIKES! I used both aircraft stripper (on the steel sections) and the Hydrostrip (ICI product) on my trailer with good results... the Hydrostrip just came off with a hose easily. I used a plastic scraper at times to save the aluminum.

Interesting about your caps. Mine are definately galvinized, but not as dark as yours. No filler either.... except for one area of Brown bondo on the rear aluminum... I too think it was a PO thing - but maybe it was factory?

I'm curiuos how you got the end fiberglass piece off - did the midstrip holder have to come off first?
Marc

[juel]

We should all give dieterdog a hard time. She still cannot put pictures on her computer or send them in an email. She goes on some great trips and I'm still waiting to see pictures. Also great job on that Argosy. I really want to get another one to work on. Mine is down at the lake and I can't fix on him. I miss him. Have lots I could do, but if I get him out of the lake lot, then I can't get him back in by myself. I really enjoy going down there to my hide-a-way.

[dieterdog]

ok, Juel,,,, yep,, went to the International and just got back last night from a trip to the wilds of Idaho,,,, and Sergei,,,did get a mouse pad for you,, but not the anniversary one,,,, this one is in colors,,, and will not match your black and white theme,,,, will look online for what you want if it is available still,, was not last time i looked,,, sorry all,,, am a techno drop out,,, dieterdog

[SmokelessJoe]

Hello All:

Dieterdog, do you have my mailing address at Port Bruce?

I’m still waiting for my prize. It doesn’t need to match my trailer, just be from you.

Marc, that’s actually a plastic scraper in the photo. Mindougas, the guy doing all the hard work, did revert to a steel scraper in the end. The aircraft stripper that we’re using melts the scraper.

He’s being extra careful. There appears to be two layers of paint. The first is scraped off. Then he uses a stiff plastic bristle brush to get the bottom coat off. After that he will wet sand. He also carefully rounded the edges of the scraper.

It looks OK to me.

The rear fiberglass detail comes off by drilling out the 9 rivets along the top. Then there are two long screws that go thru the light fixtures to the body of the trailer.

These may not be original. Mindougas says it doesn’t look like factory work.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Mindougas says that the paint he scraped off the trailer weighed at least 50 pounds.

Next, polishing all the moldings.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Mindougas spent the day stripping, then polishing, the thirty-year-old rear bumper.

It’s starting to look good. (It's just propped in place for the photo.)

How do we protect the shine? Is there a clear coat, preferably sprayed on, that will last?

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

We are replacing the entire water system with PEX.

The attached photo is of the 30-year-old pressure regulator, set at 45 psi. Are there more modern, smaller sized regulators available now?

The check or overflow valve next in line after the water exits the regulator: what function does it serve?

If I’m describing the regulator as “30 year old”, perhaps implying a new one will be better, doesn’t that go for the water pump too?

The current one is a PAR type IV Model 36975-1060. Flow rate 2.8 US, 2.3 Canadian gallons per minute.

It doesn’t say what pressure. I assume 45 if the regulator was 45 pounds.

What is the best new pump out there?

Do I assume that if I get a pump rated at 65 psi that I will need a new matching pressure regulator in any case?

Thanks in advance for suggestions and help.

Sergei

[SmokelessJoe]

Go here to see how several members helped:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ons-26471.html

[BillyP]

How's the project coming? Just checkin in

[SmokelessJoe]

Hello Billy P:

So you sometimes feel Dazed, Confused and Broke as well, eh?

I’ve been lax in keeping this thread up. Sorry. I’ve also been spread around on a couple of new threads.

I will try harder in the New Year to pull those threads together and to up date people on my progress.

Often, the work seems frustratingly slow.

I know I said at the outset that I’d be “done when I’m done” but, truth be told, I think I also thought I might be down in places like Baton Rouge, Austin or Santa Fe instead of up here in the snow this winter.



Sometimes it helps if I look back at all that’s been done instead of thinking about what’s still to do.

The list of what has been done in 14 months is fairly satisfying:

-Completely decommissioned; stripped bare inside and out (that’s always the fastest, easiest part).

-Frame and undercarriage sand blasted and painted.

-New, larger holding tanks. All new drainage, “waste management system”, sensors installed.

-All new 110 v wiring throughout in BX armor shield cable; new circuits for A/C and inverter system; new 12 v circuits added.

-Marinco power inlet installed.

-19.5” x 29.5” Seitz Roof light installed. A beauty.

-Wall to wall Maroleum flooring down.

-Bath walls and ceiling done in POR 15 WhiteCoat. New ceramic toilet waiting to go in. Shower fixture mounted “in-wall”.

-All new IKEA furniture through out. Dry fitted; weight considerably reduced. LG fridge standing by.

-Xenon pot lights installed throughout; Frilight 12v dimmer system from Sweden.

-LG “Art Cool” split air unit on hand; wiring and gas lines already run.

-All new IPEX plumbing completed stem to stern

-Diesel Powered Trailer achieved. All components sourced and installed. (Webasto Coolant Heater, Indel Water Heater, COZY space heaters, Tempo tank). Getting the hydronic system up and running is first on our work list for the New Year.

-Interior primed (2 coats) and painted (2 coats). Final touch up coat after furniture install.

-Cabinetry for the two gauchos, fold out table and galley counter being built by relative and member DavidsonOverlander

-All upholstery materials on hand; upholster semi-patiently waiting on me.

-Exterior paint removed with aircraft stripper. Prepped too. (Final prep to be done before painting in Mini Cooper colours ).

-Much insulation done.

-Winter work shed erected. Warm and cozy.



-Sprinter ordered last January, delivery taken last JULY. Drawing plans for ramp system right now; job to be quoted in the New Year.

So it’s much done; much yet to do.

These things always seem to take longer than one thinks they will.

I’m also off into new Airstream renewal territory for much of the stuff. It’s something like building a prototype. The models that follow will go much more quickly.

The trouble is that I ain’t going to be buildin’ no second ones, as they say here in Elgin County.

Happy New Year Billy and All.

Sergei

[dieterdog]

Happy New Year Sergei,, dieter