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redthies · 06-17-2010, 03:54 PM

So, yesterday we bought a rather poorly renoed '84 31 International. Drove 1000 miles to buy it. It was cheap. And then I got another $1500 off asking price. Everything is solid on the floor and banana belt areas. The interior was gutted of "soft furniture", but kitchen, mid bath and wardrobes are all in and functioning.
Correction, the kitchen is in a heap outside the trailer, bath soon to follow (except tub/shower). We are on a marathon reno as we plan to start full-timing in a few weeks. Should be fun, no? At least we still have a house with a shop and skills and cash to do the work. I have to get back to tear out, but will post some pics later. Did I mention someone decided that the way to deal with the peeling clearcoat was to paint the exterior silver? At least they did a crap job so the stripping will be easier!

zekethebear · 06-17-2010, 03:59 PM

Sounds like you're a sucker for punishment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pmclemore · 06-17-2010, 05:05 PM

Congrats on your investment. Sounds like you signed up for an adventure, and we can't wait to follow your progress.

Pat

Zeppelinium · 06-17-2010, 06:08 PM

Maybe we'll stop by in August on the way to/from Bowron and you can see how far we've gotten with the Overlander in 8 years. Most of it was done in three months while I lived in it.

BTW, how's 99 from Cache Creek down to Vancouver?

Zep

Snowey BC · 06-17-2010, 06:56 PM

I'd like to know about 99 as well. DH and I just came back from an annual trip to Van. Instead we took the usual 97. We thought of being adventurous and taking 99 but I'm squeemish. Scared to run out of gas. Being on the side of the road with no one driving by for several hours...that kind of stuff

redthies · 06-17-2010, 07:29 PM

The 99 over the Duffy Lake section is the only part that is really at all rough. A good part of that has been repaved in the last year though. It is only 100 kms from Lilloett to Pemberton so the chance of running out of fuel is slim.
I am actually in the Okanagan for the summer. I also tried some really mild stripper on on of the hatch doors and wow! There is aluminum under there! That was a nice thing to see. Came clean quite easily too. How long can one go without noticeable oxidation when you strip the clear?

Zeppelinium · 06-18-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redthies

... I also tried some really mild stripper on on of the hatch doors and wow! There is aluminum under there! That was a nice thing to see. Came clean quite easily too. How long can one go without noticeable oxidation when you strip the clear?

I put a moderate shine (bright, but not a mirror) on my Overlander six years ago. It still looks good, not quite as bright, but really only looks like it needs to be cleaned and buffed (not polished) a bit. I am quite pleased with how long it has lasted.

Some folks rebuff their highly shined Airstreams every year. I guess if you want to keep a mirror finish, rebuffing often is required.

Zep

redthies · 06-24-2010, 11:11 PM

Wow Zep! You got skills! I just read your Sov thread... I have been plugging away on my International. New floor relayed properly, new kitchen going in tommorow, new wardrobe doors/ face-frame saturday, new bath counter, sink, toilet sunday. Bed box monday, front couch surround cabinet tuesday, move out of my house/shop wednesday! Not causing me any stress. Noooo... none at all! I guess I should be working not typing...

redthies · 06-28-2010, 08:07 PM

A couple of exterior shots showing partial stripping of paint and extra-fancy caulking job! I am getting a ton done on the inside. I will post a few pics when time allows. Gotta move house/shop the next two days

redthies · 11-11-2010, 07:21 PM

Wow, time flies! It has been forever since I added to this thread. I have had the interior finished since around mid July. We have been living in it fulltime since then. The exterior has been stripped and re-caulked. I am now trying to decide if I want to polish, or replace the panels that have been replaced with the incorrect aluminum with mill-finish, and olympic rivets. I might also just drink more wine, and ignore the difference!

I bought some Landcruiser wheels and sand-blasted and painted them as well. All said, it is a great home now. We are parked on the ocean and loving it...

Here are a couple of teaser pics. I will take a few more in the coming days, when it is not raining and our stuff is not everywhere.

Bluto · 11-11-2010, 07:35 PM

That interior looks GREAT!

Olrocker · 11-11-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

That interior looks GREAT!

Indeed it does...what type of cabinet refinish/replacement did you do?

goransons · 11-11-2010, 07:38 PM

yes it does, nice view too... very impressed with both!

GeocamperAS · 11-11-2010, 07:43 PM

Are those LED puck lights or halogen?

driftless · 11-11-2010, 07:54 PM

Very nice!! More pics, please...

Airslide · 11-11-2010, 07:59 PM

Great job!

boo_n_sue · 11-11-2010, 08:01 PM

Love the cabinet doors and dark finish on the kitchen - is it just painted or did you laminate it? Looks great - exactly what we'd like to do in ours. We've got a good start but it's not nearly as slick looking as yours. Great job!

**Kevin245** · 11-11-2010, 10:00 PM

The interior looks great. Looks like you've been busy with much accomplished.

Kevin

redthies · 11-12-2010, 07:03 AM

Wow, thanks for all the compliments! It really only took a couple of weeks once I got into the meat of it... The cabinets were completely gutted and we replaced them with off the shelf units from IKEA. All the wardrobe and pantry cabinets were re-done with new doors, and a new frame in wardrobe section. I am a finishing carpenter / cabinet-maker / fabricator so I have a bit of a skills and tools advantage.

Everything was done in the trailer or outside in the dust though... The lights are LED pucks that I bought at Rona (the canadian Lowes). They were $45 for a three pack. Seemed like a great deal since lots of folks on here were spending $14 per bulb to retrofit factory pucks! We wanted a look similar to the new Internationals, and I think we came fairly close.

A few more pics below... Some show the original interior fixtures, with gross "smokers cough" yellow paint on the walls and oak everything... Then we have lights under construction, on, and off... And a shot of the face-frame being made for the wardrobe areas.

redthies · 11-12-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goransons

yes it does, nice view too... very impressed with both!

Do you like the view because it is the Olympic Peninsula in the far distance? Thanks for the great feed back! It makes me feel good to see that people who actually know something about Airstreams like what we have done!