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04-30-2012, 07:46 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 918
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Numbers for a Baldy #1
After purchasing our 2008 Safari SE 27FB in August 2011 we joined the Carolinas unit of the WBCCI. My DW determined she did not want to spoil the pristine skin of our new family addition, Sweet Pea, so we did not rush to put our red numbers on the trailer. We are planning to visit an Airstream only park that requires the numbers be displayed when camping. I went on a search for alternatives to putting the numbers directly on the skin and risking ghosting for some future owner.
After reading about "baldy" options on the forums, and using a Google search, I decided the plexiglass with suction cups method was the perfect solution for our baldy to be allowed to participate in WBCCI events. My daughter photographed the construction process to share with other Airstreamers.
From Lowes I purchased an 18" by 24" (3/16" thick) sheet of acrylic. I bought the more expensive acrylic instead of regular plexiglass in the anticipation it will last longer. The large clear suction cups with attached wire hook came from Home Depot (3 to a pack). The WBCCI logo and peel off adhesive numbers came from the WBCCI.
Tools used were a T-square, a regular square, a metal yardstick, and a black Sharpie pen medium point. Originally I tried using a fine point Sharpie but found it did not write well on the milky plastic protecting the acrylic sheet. An electric drill was used to drill holes in the sheet for the suction cup hangers.
My first step was to do a rough lay out using the number decals on the sheet (Picture 1). I next measured the numbers and calculated the spacing between each number, the spacing around the perimeter, and spacing between the logo and the numbers. With these calculations I used my T-Square, metal yardstick, and Sharpie to create a diagram on the protective cover sheet of one side of the acrylic (Picture 2). In Picture 3 you can see the completed diagram with the WBCCI logo not permanently placed on the sheet to demonstrate proportions.
__________________
Chuck
Airstream - 2008 Safari 27FB SE (Sweet Pea)
TV - 2022 Ford F350 King Ranch, 6.7 Diesel, 4X4 (Big Red)
WBCCI 3823 - Unit 12 | AIR 48265
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04-30-2012, 07:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 918
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Numbers for a Baldy #2
The next step (Picture 1 below) was to drill holes in the plexiglass for the suction hooks. The holes should be drilled before peeling off the protective coating from either side. Use the suction hooks to determine the size of hole and placement. I decided to put three hooks across the top of the sheet (3 holes) and two at the bottom (two hooks at the bottom to keep the sheet from flapping in the breeze).
I then removed the milky plastic coating from the "clean" side of the acrylic sheet not marked with the diagram (Picture 2).
Now for the tricky part, applying the numbers and the WBCCI decal to the now "bare" side of the acrylic sheet (Pictures 3 & 4). The plastic from which the numbers are made is very stretchy once the backing is peeled off. It is very difficult to place the stickers in the locations on the diagram visible through the clear sheet. Air bubbles are also a problem. I can't imagine standing on a ladder applying these numbers to a trailer!
__________________
Chuck
Airstream - 2008 Safari 27FB SE (Sweet Pea)
TV - 2022 Ford F350 King Ranch, 6.7 Diesel, 4X4 (Big Red)
WBCCI 3823 - Unit 12 | AIR 48265
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04-30-2012, 08:15 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 918
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Numbers for a Baldy #3
Once the numbers were adhered to the proper positions on the bare side of the sheet, the WBCCI logo was aligned to the diagram visible through the clear side of the sheet (Picture 1) and applied to the surface. It is a more stable decal and easier to handle than the numbers although I did experience some trouble removing the backing. The next photo (Picture 2) shows the finished acrylic sheet without the backing removed from the opposite side.
The final Picture 3 shows the finished sheet mounted to the front window of our trailer using the suction cups. Given that it was not a windy day only the top three suction cups were used to hold the sheet for the photograph. As mentioned previously there are two additional holes on the bottom of the sheet for two more suction cups which will keep it from flapping in the breeze.
With the assistance of my daughter this project took about 1 1/2 hours to complete. The sheet will be stored inside a pillow case for protection against scratches when it is not being displayed at WBCCI events.
__________________
Chuck
Airstream - 2008 Safari 27FB SE (Sweet Pea)
TV - 2022 Ford F350 King Ranch, 6.7 Diesel, 4X4 (Big Red)
WBCCI 3823 - Unit 12 | AIR 48265
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04-30-2012, 09:19 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Flying Cloud
2008 23' International
Keremeos
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 845
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It looks great.
Lisa
__________________
Lisa and Paul
2017 30' FC | 2002 Chinook Destiny | 2008 23' Int. CCD (written off: hail!)
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05-01-2012, 07:12 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2007 25' International CCD FB
South
, South Dakota
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 155
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Your job looks great! If you leave your #s on when we see you on the road we know who we are flashing our lights at. We have our WBCCI book with us at all times when we are on the road.
__________________
Richard (Dean) Tighe
W.B.C.C.I. 5617
2007 25' FB International CCD Solar
2019 Toyota Tundra
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05-01-2012, 07:18 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
2012 27' FB International
Fremont
, California
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 268
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Great job but where was this post 10 days ago when I was up on the shaky ladder in 85 degree blazing hot sunlight trying desperately not to have the "6" fold itself in half?
__________________
"The bad news: there is no key to the universe.
The good news: it was never locked."
Swami Beyondananda
https://polakoff.com/RamblinRose/
Our travel log
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08-16-2012, 08:56 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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My alternative is to put some aluminum stock on the top / back of the clear plastic (as was done above) and then velcro the aluminum (either angle or channel) to the top of the frame of the front window rock guard.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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08-26-2013, 07:46 PM
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#8
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2014 Sport 22
2014 22' FB Sport
Patterson
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7
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We chose displaying our numbers in the back window on a sheet of plexiglass - so it can be seen while traveling yet not be on the skin of the trailer. We have a second one for the front window of the trailer.
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08-18-2014, 02:32 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
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Just tagging in so I can find this again. will undertake as soon as I can get to the city and find some Plexiglass....
Thanks
Doug
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
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08-20-2014, 03:09 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,426
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Why not just put the numbers on the window front and back
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08-21-2014, 03:08 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Finally caved and put the numbers on the new AS ... just the front ~1.5 hrs on the ladder! However, we will likely still use the plexi on the backside numbers - it has worked well for us over the pat 4 years ...
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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08-21-2014, 03:58 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mefly2
Finally caved and put the numbers on the new AS ... just the front ~1.5 hrs on the ladder! However, we will likely still use the plexi on the backside numbers - it has worked well for us over the pat 4 years ...
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Your a brave sort - I still think I'm going the plexiglass route. I just don't know if I want the sheet as big as mentioned earlier in this thread of 18" x 24". If one did not bother with the WBCCI logo one could cut the size required for the plexiglass a lot I think.
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
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08-27-2014, 01:07 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcticfox
Your a brave sort - I still think I'm going the plexiglass route. I just don't know if I want the sheet as big as mentioned earlier in this thread of 18" x 24". If one did not bother with the WBCCI logo one could cut the size required for the plexiglass a lot I think.
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Yes, a bit smaller if you don't put on the circular logo ...or, just position it at the same level as the numbers.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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08-28-2014, 04:26 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mefly2
Yes, a bit smaller if you don't put on the circular logo ...or, just position it at the same level as the numbers.
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You can definitely reduce the size of the plexiglass. I used a stock sheet of plexi from Lowes and didn't want to cut it. We store it in a pillowcase in between the queen bed and the closet next to the bed in our Airstream so it is protected from scratches and is out of the way when not in use.
We've only used it a few times. Top of Georgia Airstream Park requires the numbers be displayed. There have been a few WBCCI rallies where numbers are requested for identification purposes. Otherwise, we prefer the "clean" look when camping.
__________________
Chuck
Airstream - 2008 Safari 27FB SE (Sweet Pea)
TV - 2022 Ford F350 King Ranch, 6.7 Diesel, 4X4 (Big Red)
WBCCI 3823 - Unit 12 | AIR 48265
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08-28-2014, 05:16 AM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Narrowsburg
, New York
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 18
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Thanks
We're newbies and just brought home our new 2014 27 Flying Cloud FB yesterday from the dealer. The plexi and suction cup solution is a fantastic idea and we plan to use it for our AS too! Thanks for sharing. Any ASers visiting the Sullivan County, NY area be sure to look us up and stop by.
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08-28-2014, 07:46 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
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Greetings with an update:
I ended up buying (1) piece of 18" x 24" and cutting it in 1/2. So that gave me (2) pieces of 9" x 24" and that was lots of room to place my red numbers with our the WBCCI logo.
Sa a side note; If one wants to cut plexi, the best is to draw a line where you want to cut and run tape over the line on both sides. Make sure you use tape (like masking tape) that still allows you to see the line. Then cut the plexi or lexan with a Jig Saw. The tape will stop the product from chipping and you will get a nice clean cut.
I'm assuming we will be like Florida 55 and not use these all that much but at least we have them if one needs them
Thanks for all your input into this
Cheers
Doug
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
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08-28-2014, 07:50 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick75
We're newbies and just brought home our new 2014 27 Flying Cloud FB yesterday from the dealer. The plexi and suction cup solution is a fantastic idea and we plan to use it for our AS too! Thanks for sharing. Any ASers visiting the Sullivan County, NY area be sure to look us up and stop by.
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Congrat's Rick75 on your new purchase! We looked really close at the 27' and really liked them a lot. In the end we got the 28' but it was a toss up either way. What are you planning to tow it with?
Cheers
Doug
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
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08-28-2014, 09:50 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2018 30' Classic
Ivins
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida 55
You can definitely reduce the size of the plexiglass. I used a stock sheet of plexi from Lowes and didn't want to cut it. We store it in a pillowcase in between the queen bed and the closet next to the bed in our Airstream so it is protected from scratches and is out of the way when not in use.
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Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also planning to go the plexiglass route, and was considering mounting aluminum channel to the plexiglass to hook it over the front window frame, but had not figured out how to hang it in the back.
Using suction cups is a great idea! Do you think mounting the suction cups directly to the plexiglass would work, thus avoiding the use of the hooks? Like you, I'd use 3 along the top, and 2 or 3 along the bottom.
do you think they'd stay on while on the road? I'm not sure about freeway speeds!!
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08-29-2014, 04:10 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Narrowsburg
, New York
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 18
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Doug,
We're towing with a 2014 F-150, 5.0 V8, supercab with tow package and an Equalizer hitch. On our maiden tow from the dealer to our home it seemed plenty capable of doing the job. Our only change will be to add extendable tow mirrors and I have already asked the dealer to order them so that next time we take it on the road I should be able to see the back of the AS too.
Rick
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08-29-2014, 05:41 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Safari FB SE
Pfafftown
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steverino
Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also planning to go the plexiglass route, and was considering mounting aluminum channel to the plexiglass to hook it over the front window frame, but had not figured out how to hang it in the back.
Using suction cups is a great idea! Do you think mounting the suction cups directly to the plexiglass would work, thus avoiding the use of the hooks? Like you, I'd use 3 along the top, and 2 or 3 along the bottom.
do you think they'd stay on while on the road? I'm not sure about freeway speeds!!
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I doubt suction cups will hold on the road even if mounted directly to the plexiglass. The only time I use the sign is when in camp. I went with the hooks on the suction cups so the sheet of plexi could be detached and easily stored flat.
__________________
Chuck
Airstream - 2008 Safari 27FB SE (Sweet Pea)
TV - 2022 Ford F350 King Ranch, 6.7 Diesel, 4X4 (Big Red)
WBCCI 3823 - Unit 12 | AIR 48265
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