Water damage

65trotter · 02-24-2003, 06:51 PM

I hear that vintage airstreams are notorious for having water damage to the rear floor as a result of rainwater leaking in around the bumper. Has anyone had any experience dealing with this? I've heard you can seal the area where the water is getting in. Can anyone tell me where that is exactly and how I should go about sealing it? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

65trotter

59toaster · 02-24-2003, 07:24 PM

Yep. I'll be rebuilding out 59 this spring. Once it's rotted, especially at the ends you have to replace the wood. The way they are built the wood deck sits on the frame and the rest of the body sits on that. If the deck has rotted then the body droops and strat damaging it.
Go look in the floor repair section. williamhenchel has TONS of pictures posted. I'll be documenting the 59 rebuild as well. Just have to get some other stuff done before I can delve into this fun.
If it's just at the ends you can replace it but just replacing the last few feet but to get the best results in reguards to strength it's best to put full width of the trailer sections.

59toaster · 02-24-2003, 07:28 PM

Ohh and it's not really the bumper that causes the problem its leaks anywhere on the body. A water leak around the windows can leak down into the interrior cavities and make it's way to the floor unseen. Really can hav leaks a long distance from where the floor is getting wet.

65trotter · 02-25-2003, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the info. I will check out the floor repair section for more. Sounds like I've got my work cut out for me!

65trotter

64GT · 03-03-2003, 08:28 AM

I *think* what you are referring to is the condition when you have a storage compartment in the bumper. In that case the water can come down the back of the trailer, settle on the lid and work it's way into the trailer. You need to seal the area where the bumper box lid meets the trailer. Does this make sense? I can send pictures if you need them.

Gillian

Dbraw · 03-03-2003, 04:01 PM

I am in the process of repairing the flooring in the rear of our 71 Safari. I have sealed the area above the bumper and would recommend that a bead of caulking be applied in the upper seam area inside the storage compartment. Water can seep through the piano hinge and then up under the flange that it is attached to. If my repairs work, maybe they will last for another 32 years. I'll never know, but maybe our grandchildren will.
Dan

tod47d · 03-03-2003, 07:15 PM

Caught the rear wood detirioration on out 67 Safari in time to use marine epoxy to seal it _Git Rot I think on some soft areas but they were not rotten away too badly at all.Did the Vulkem sealer on the girdle/bumper areas and will get the piano hinge (if I haven't already) Also did some git rot around the throne/floor connection for posteriority. tod47d