New Adventure - 1958 Flying Cloud

[twnkoptimist]

I bought a 1958 Flying Cloud that I knew had water damage to the "wood" inside, but the aluminum inside and out was great. I'm an avid listener to the VAP and thought I kind of knew what I was getting into. I started demo, and have 2 problems to start. 1 - somebody replaced some of the inside rivets with screws that have rusted and been covered with 4 coats of paint, when I inevitably enlarge the hole getting them out, what size of rivet do I buy to repace them? Is there a rivet with a flange? I intend to use Zolatone to repaint, will that cover the differences, or should I try to replace all the inside rivet to match? 2 - suprise there was a fire, all the wiring burned and the insulation melted to the inside of the aluminum. How do I get the melted insulation off?
I am very happy to be part of the wonderful forum and know that as I work this summer I will be here a lot to get information and inspiration. Thanks, Cloudcarol

[robandzoe]

Carol,

Hey there - Rob of theVAP here! I just got a 1958 Flying Cloud too! SOTR parts - then I'll sell it cheap to someone out there wanting to get into Airstreaming!

[Chuck]

Yeah, we had a brush with celebrity a couple of weekends ago, as Rob did a low-level fly-by at our NEU rally, with his latest prize.

speaking of "prizes"...that wife of yours must be something special, letting you out of the house to chase that smelly old hunk of alluminum 2 days after giving birth to little Wally B... (congrats to you both, btw!)

anyhoo...next time you're passing through one of our rallies, stop and have a beer!

Oh, and bring the kids. we need more little kids.

[Mel]

Hi Cloudcarol, welcome! If it were me, I would replace the interior rivets that need it, and rely on the pattern of the zolatone to hide the difference between those and the originals. Do you have any pictures of your project that you could share? We love pictures. Good luck!