fiberglass endcaps in 1960 tradewind

[2vets]

Starting to gut my tradewind despite snowy weather and I was wondering about the fiberglass endcaps. Any worries or concerns working with 50 year old fiberglass? I would imagine that the rivet holes would be enlarged from movement and also very brittle. When did Airstream switch from interior metal endcaps to aluminum? Do you reinforce them with anything (like fiberglass cloth) before putting them back? Sorry for all the questions (I clearly had too much coffee today!)

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 2vets

Starting to gut my tradewind despite snowy weather and I was wondering about the fiberglass endcaps. Any worries or concerns working with 50 year old fiberglass? I would imagine that the rivet holes would be enlarged from movement and also very brittle. When did Airstream switch from interior metal endcaps to aluminum? Do you reinforce them with anything (like fiberglass cloth) before putting them back? Sorry for all the questions (I clearly had too much coffee today!)

The original fiberglass headliners (end caps) are very thick and really do not age.

Fiberglass exposed to UV, ages.

Clean them up, reinstall them, and have a cool one.

Worry about maybe, water leaks, caused by bad gaskets, etc.

Andy

[CaddyGrn]

We have fiberglass interior end caps in our 1963 Bambi, and when hubby did the restoration he may have used slightly larger rivets if he needed in places, but we have had no troubles... no need to reinforce unless something is cracked or broken.

[2vets]

great! Thanks everyone! I had a beer (or two) and I feel much better!

[68 TWind]

I remove the end cap in the bath on my Trade Wind. Lot's of rivets but take your time. It was a 3 person job when I reinstalled it. Since I did not remove all the interior, had to slip the edge of the end cap under the interior skins on the top and side. Lot's of hands made it easy. Get you some Clecos, to help line up the panel with the old rivet holes. If you don't know what they are, VTS has them as do any aircraft supply house. They are also very handy when reinstalling banana wrap and banding around your trailer.