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RichHog · 11-08-2009, 09:06 PM

Don't try this at home folks. Have a (lousy) carpenter work on your Airstream trim with a hacksaw. So I'm looking for about a 6' strip of the Bronze corner edging to do this right. Haven't found anything that matcher from the new sources so perhaps someone out there who has gutted one has this.

What happened is I decided to reshape the curve to make the trailer a little more open when we replaced the panel. The rest was up to the carpenter who came up with a creative fix HELP!

Wabbiteer · 11-08-2009, 09:38 PM

This is for... overhead storage end-piece?

RichHog · 11-08-2009, 11:01 PM

Yes it's the piece next to the door. Here's a picture of the lower section above the fridge. We replaced the end panel and recut it to open up the end so a TV would be easier to see and to open the room some but kept the curves all the same.

3 Dog Nite · 11-10-2009, 06:17 PM

I'm gutting a '74 Tradewind. Can you post photos of trim from front/top & end? What length do you need?

Ricky

RichHog · 11-10-2009, 07:42 PM

I need about 6' of the trim for the endcap. The original Tradewind opening was closer to the front of the fridge. We cut it back to open it up the area to see the tv. We kept the curves the same but we need about 8" more than the original section.Here's the after and before pics.

Thanks!

3 Dog Nite · 11-10-2009, 08:05 PM

I'm still not sure which peice you need. All photos show trim from side. How thick is trim 1/4" or 1"? MyTT didn't have a solid wall there.

Ricky

RichHog · 11-10-2009, 09:28 PM

The inside dimension is 1/4". On my trailer there is this rim on the end piece and on the opposite corner from the storage bin ceiling about 18" long. Didn't see the same trim anywhere else. Photo from opposite side above fridge

Wabbiteer · 11-11-2009, 07:15 AM

I think there is a couple of smaller pieces of 1/4" edging without a home here.... No promises but I'll check my looted aluminum locker and post back a little later, neither of my trailers have that exact panel - but without dies and massive hydraulics there is no bending of it - someone good with a TIG welder might make it look seamless but you'd lose the anodize color & finish.

RichHog · 11-11-2009, 05:22 PM

I didn't know that my little modification would bring such challenges. Yes bending it may be the hard thing, may have to wind up with some sort of plastic edging. Anything should be better than the hack saw marks on the cut sections on the current panel

RichHog · 11-21-2009, 10:08 PM

Anybody know of an alternative to the edge trim? Plastic? Saw a platinum trim at Ace but it seems that the tools to bend the curves to fit the wood are not a common thing. So I'm looking for alternatives?

Thanks

Minno · 11-22-2009, 08:57 AM

Harbor Freight sells metal stretchers that might work to fit the metal edging to the curves, if you can find new metal edging.
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Chris

RichHog · 11-22-2009, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the info. But for $199 it's a little pricey for a one time use. Plus whenever I do find the right metal I won't have any extra to practice with. It makes me want to re-think the whole thing. Of course I should have thought about that before cutting it up.

Aage · 11-23-2009, 09:45 AM

If you find a piece of the trim, it should be fairly easy to find a welder/fabricator to bend it for you...

**Kevin245** · 11-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichHog

Thanks for the info. But for $199 it's a little pricey for a one time use. Plus whenever I do find the right metal I won't have any extra to practice with. It makes me want to re-think the whole thing. Of course I should have thought about that before cutting it up.

Using a shrinker/stretcher is the only true way I know of to accomplish the bending and make it look original. Short of finding salavged parts somewhere I would try one of the following:

A. Find a local architectural or ornamental iron shop and see what they can do to replicate the curvature using your edge material. They typically have the tools (shrinker/strecher, bender, scroll, and english wheel, etc.) to form and bend metals into unique shapes.

B. Use a hacksaw to cut reliefs for your radii. This will not be aesthetically pleasing for "Outer" curves.

C. Look for a flexible edge material such as vinyl, rubber, or plastic that will form to the curvatures you need.

Good Luck,

Kevin

RichHog · 11-23-2009, 10:39 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm thinking bendable black plastic molding, that is til I run across some actual bronze trim and a person who can bend it.

This edge molding is only used in 2 places on my trailer, one on the outer edge of the curved wall end section, and two over the kitchen side overhead bin. So I'm thinking it's pretty rare stuff.

berickn · 12-07-2009, 05:47 PM

Sorry it took so long didnt know you had wrote back. Do you still have your gaucho? if so so how complete? I have only one bunk in the hallway.

RichHog · 12-07-2009, 06:04 PM

Still have the Gaucho Cushion if you want it. Genuine Hurculon fabric

fordfarmer · 12-25-2009, 03:45 PM

I have the molding, salvaged from my 79 unit. I do agree with the other posts, shaping will be a problem. If you decide you want to try, let me know.

3 Dog Nite · 12-28-2009, 01:22 PM

I still have trim peices available. Maybe you can recut the panel to 90 degree cuts instead of curved. That way you can just miter the cuts. It will look better than peicework you have.

Ricky