portholes in a camper?

[GeocamperAS]

ME: Honey lets buy a cabin cruiser and do the ‘Great Loop’.
BETTER HALF: Lets by a camper instead.
ME: Why?
BETTER HALF: Blah blah blah blah blah…..

I did get to add a boating flair.

Just made these. Now I can’t wait until I bring the Argosy out of winter storage so I can install them.

[Scott J-24]

Very cool, I want a set also!

[GeocamperAS]

Thanks Scott.

[worldinchaos]

Yes, very cool indeed! Did you literally make them by hand, or have them sent out to be etched, or ? More info, I like!

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

Yes, very cool indeed! Did you literally make them by hand, or have them sent out to be etched, or ? More info, I like!

Thanks for asking.
To make a short story long,

I teach at a technical college. The instructor for the metals program owed me a favor (gota love the barter system). He had some aluminum stock lying around that he was able to make the portholes from. There are 10” in diameter with a dado on the back to take an 8” x 1/8” glass. Of course it was a learning experience for the students.

After several attempts at cutting a circle out of glass with out the right tools, I then had a glass store cut the glass for me.

I then found 2 of the 3 pictures online. The one in the middle I drew myself. But I’m sure you figured that out just by looking at how it compared to the other 2.

Using contact paper on the glass with the printed picture taped to that, I painstakingly cut out the pattern with my exact-o knife.

Then the acid etch cream.

After holding the up to wood door at home (similar color to my argosy doors) I lost the design in the light color and grain of the wood.

Not wanting to redo them on mirror, I sprayed the backs with “Kaylon ‘looking glass’ spray paint”.

Now I can't wait to get my Argosy out of winter storage. (for you California folk, it gets cold and snows in Wisconsin in the winter)(it sucks unless you like to do winter camping or can get away to a warmer climate).

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by tiger

Thanks for asking.
To make a short story long,

I teach at a technical college. The instructor for the metals program owed me a favor (gota love the barter system). He had some aluminum stock lying around that he was able to make the portholes from. There are 10” in diameter with a dado on the back to take an 8” x 1/8” glass. Of course it was a learning experience for the students.

After several attempts at cutting a circle out of glass with out the right tools, I then had a glass store cut the glass for me.

I then found 2 of the 3 pictures online. The one in the middle I drew myself. But I’m sure you figured that out just by looking at how it compared to the other 2.

Using contact paper on the glass with the printed picture taped to that, I painstakingly cut out the pattern with my exact-o knife.

Then the acid etch cream.

After holding the up to wood door at home (similar color to my argosy doors) I lost the design in the light color and grain of the wood.

Not wanting to redo them on mirror, I sprayed the backs with “Kaylon ‘looking glass’ spray paint”.

Now I can't wait to get my Argosy out of winter storage. (for you California folk, it gets cold and snows in Wisconsin in the winter)(it sucks unless you like to do winter camping or can get away to a warmer climate).

Thanks for the thorough explanation. How difficult is acid etch cream to use?

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

Thanks for the thorough explanation. How difficult is acid etch cream to use?

Very easy. Dab on with a brush, let sit for 2 minutes, rinse off.