Koa, Was That a Wood Used By AS?

Dano57 · 12-09-2006, 09:39 PM

We have a 79 Excella and from what I think, the wood is a plastic laminate done to look like Koa, does that sound right? I need to replace a bunch of the tambor and haven't found any made to resemble Koa so if that is truly what I have are there any suggestions on where to find a match?

Thanks
Dan

Buttercup · 12-09-2006, 10:35 PM

Can you post any pictures of what you have now (what ytou want to replace)?

dwightdi · 12-10-2006, 06:37 AM

Lots of people have problems with those. Many take them all out and replace. Some post the usable remainer on this site and VAC site as well as ebay. That might be your cheapest source if you want to keep the original look. Otherwise some people remount them with new backing, if that is your problem.

12-10-2006, 08:30 AM

Dan, I doubt Airstream used Koa but you never know. If you want them made from Koa,it doesn't seem to difficult to do with basic woodworking tools They're basically just strips of wood glued to a backing with a rabbet on the edges. Rout the rabbet on the edges, rip to width, sand the pieces, lay them out and glue to the backing. Take your measurments from the old tambors and you have them in any exotic wood you want.

**CanoeStream** · 12-10-2006, 08:47 AM

I would agree with Craftsman -- it doesn't make sense that Airstream would ever use Koa. Here's but a small sample of search returns on tambour -- the ones that seem more useful to your question at least.

http://www.airforums.com/forum...hlight=tambour
http://www.airforums.com/forum...hlight=tambour
http://www.airforums.com/forum...hlight=tambour

2airishuman · 12-12-2006, 02:49 PM

hi dano57

I think the laminate fake wood graphic is walnut…

that was the simulated wood pattern used on my 79…

those old tambor doors are sometimes available from rehab’rs or in sales lists…

interestingly the new 75th limited model has real walnut veneers on the cabinets…

and it looks amost as real as the simulated 1979 trim

cheers
2air’

rickandsandi · 12-12-2006, 03:25 PM

Go to:

Outwater Plastics Industires

They have what you are looking for and a whole bunch more!

47WeeWind · 12-12-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

... interestingly the new 75th limited model has real walnut veneers on the cabinets … and it looks amost as real as the simulated 1979 trim

cheers, 2air’

2air':

You're right. I've looked very long and hard at the wood in the Winnick 75th Anniversay Edition Bambi's, and my initial reaction was disappointment that the production models used laminate instead of real wood. If, in fact, it is real wood, then I'm amazed how the factory -- perhaps through the miracle of modern plastic finishes -- can make real wood look exactly like a laminate. Somehow, they've achieved a uniform dull sheen that screams "LAMINATE" instead of real wood with nature's inherent flaws. I'm still not convinced its real wood in there.

Is it?

Dano57 · 12-12-2006, 06:15 PM

Here is a pic of the wood i have, I don't think it walnut as I a pretty familiar with it, cherry, oak , etc. In one of the documents I have it referenced Koa and I know there is a Hawaiian wood by that name hence my assumption.rickandsandi, I can't find much on the website you reference so I'll just give them a call.Thanks all,Dan

**wahoonc** · 12-12-2006, 06:30 PM

Dano57,
I have that same stuff in my 1980 Excella...I think it is wormy oak

other than that it ain't wood it is laminate, so you can do about anything you want with it. My 75 has the dark "teak" interior, I have found a close match in a laminate from WilsonArt that I am going to use for some repairs. The 80 Excella is getting a full custom of interior, just not sure what it is going to be. I am also considering a mid or rear entry

Aaron

Dano57 · 12-12-2006, 06:52 PM

Aaron,

Yea, I know it's plastic and for that I am somewhat disapointed. I would have thought that something as prestigious as an Airstream would be better outfitted. From my sig you can tell we haven't towed it yet and are just trying to get things functional, but, over the coming years I want to completely rebuild the interior. I am fair at wood work and think I can do a better job than what is in there but that is years in the future. Right now I would settle for replacing the tambor with something close.

Thanks,
Dan

2airishuman · 12-12-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano57

Here is a pic of the wood i have, I don't think it walnut...Dan

hi dan and thanks for posting the picture!

well i withdraw my suggestion as about the walnut...

that clearly isn't the fake walnut we enjoyed in the 70s

now, seeing the picture i agree that does look like fake koa...

i've got a hallmark pen/pencil set from the same era and it is REAL koa...

looks just like yours, only smaller.

this could be one of those questions only answered by finding a sales/marketing brochure from that year...

or a copy of the service/parts manual...

that is a cool fake wood laminate...

i'd keep that stuff too! redoing the tamboors is a good idea...

besides those doors/cabinets are light, strong and in many ways better than wood!

that is the real advantage to the material used then...light and strong and easy to clean.

cheers
2air'

SafeHarbor · 12-13-2006, 05:20 PM

Hi, guys,

Somebody told me that the pattern was koa wood for '79. They certainly didn't mind that it was very repetetive.

I don't think the tambours used it, however. I think they had some kind of applique glued on them that was darker than the wall veneer.

Every now and then I open the closet doors and think about what a nice expanse of fake koa paneling I have there.

Lamar

Dano57 · 12-13-2006, 05:46 PM

Lamar,

My tambor does match the laminate. I kind of like the look but it is too bad that it is not real koa!

Dan