1967 Overlander renovation (the full Monty)

[dbj216]

Hi, you have been busy. Those pantry drawers sure look cool. I wanted to do that, but my pantry door was only 11" wide yet the panty full width was 14". I elected to use simple shelves instead, a decision I will regret every time I'm looking for a can of soup way in the back of those shelves. The trailer was built with fixed shelves so that's what I used.

The wood work is beautiful. I was admiring the photo of the pantry door.

The "stay open" linkage is similar to what I have on the mirror in the bath of my Overlander. I can turn the knob and keep the mirror open. But I need a way to keep it shut tight when towing. Do you have any ideas? Maybe a magnetic catch.

David

[TouringDan]

Beautiful wood work and operable drawers. My shelves and drawers pale in comparison because it is stock Airstream.

Dan

[Jeremy9107]

Nice work. May I ask where you got the shower curtain rod and hardware?

[chrisetmike]

Hi Jeremy
We bought the hardware and pipe at Fabricville. My husband then bent the pipe to follow the curve of the Airstream.

We originally wanted to do the same or similar to this one http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...on-147648.html) but after kinking 2 different pipes , we opted for this setup.

It is basically a bent 3/4 inch curtain rod with curtain hardware. He used a pipe bender to get the curve after filling the pipe with sand and a bending spring.

[chrisetmike]

Hi Dan and David
Thanks for your kind words.

[chrisetmike]

I haven't posted in a long while. Thought I might add an update. My husband is in full on polishing mode.(I am getting sick of the black oxide that is getting into the house. This stuff ends up everywhere)

The Airstream is looking good, not quite a mirror finish yet but not that far either.

[Cochese]

Looks great!

[dbj216]

I use a rotary polisher also with a 8" wool bonnet. I used to use just a 1/2" drill to "compound", or the first step in the polish process. Then out comes the cyclo and more grinding away to remove the swirls.

It is dirty hard work, but looks better than faded clearcoat. I believe it adds significant value to the trailer.

David

[chrisetmike]

We are done! The Airstream is complete we polished and redid the badging.

We went on our first shakedown trip and learned a few lessons.

1. It takes a lot of flushing to dewinterize your camper and your water tastes like soap if you didn't do it right.

2. A door will not hold pantry shelves from rolling out and dropping on the floor.

3. A polished Airstream gets a lot of attention everywhere!

[Bubba L]

It really looks great. That first shakedown trip is exciting. You want to flush out issues, but you don’t want any issues. Be careful and hope y’all enjoy all the hard work.

[Joyflea]

It looks great , I am so jealous. Hope to see you down the road .

[dbj216]

The polish appears very mirror like. What process did you use? Nuvite?

David

[Jeremy9107]

Very nice and congratulations. Hope you have many trips ahead

[chrisetmike]

Thank you! It would be great to meet a fellow "restorer" on the road.

[chrisetmike]

Originally Posted by dbj216

The polish appears very mirror like. What process did you use? Nuvite?

David

Here is the process (it isn't perfect but it shines just the same)

1-strip clear coat with Proform Aircraft stripper 2- yellow polishing wheel on an angle polisher with brown cut compound (1st pass) 3- Nuvite f9 with wool bonnet( do this twice) 4- Nuvite G6 med cut compound with wool bonnet (do this twice) 5- cyclo polisher with finish polish grade s Bonus tip- spur wool pads often and keep surface clean with mineral spirits. Keep rivet heads clean. Start with the roof to get a feel for the technique