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**moosetags** · 11-09-2013, 10:33 AM

Since we are trading in Old Lucy (2005 25FB) on New Lucy (2012 23FB) we decided that it is once again time to give our weather-worn Hensley Arrow another Facelift. We didn't like the idea of putting such a terrible looking hitch on a shinny new Airstream.

Our Hensley received its last facelift in March of 2011. Our Hensley was new in 2005, and really looked bad by 2011. It was not quite as faded this time, but getting a new Airstream warrants another facelift. We also got a Hensley rebuild kit and will replace the all of the pins and spring clips. We will also replace both of the retainer clips for the spring bars and the Zerk fittings. We will also put new shear bolts on the frame brackets. We will do most of this when we actually move the Hensley from one Aistream to the other.

SuEllyn started stripping the orange paint from the upper assembly several days ago. It was a very tedious job to get all of the paint off. She then masked off and primed the upper unit with two coats of primer. After letting the primer dry for a couple of days. She started applying light coats of the gloss orange enamel. She now has two coats on it. She is planning several more coats of orange, and at least two coats of Nyalic Clear Surface Protectant.

Below are a few pictures of the work so far.

Brian

SteveSueMac · 11-09-2013, 12:57 PM

You guys do good work!!

andreasduess · 11-09-2013, 05:25 PM

Looks great. I was thinking that mine could use a refresher when I put the trailer away for winter. Maybe next spring I'll find the time for a fresh coat of paint.

**moosetags** · 11-10-2013, 10:28 AM

Actually, it's SUEllyn that is doing this project solo. I don't have the patience for this type of work.

Brian

Sean Woodruff · 11-10-2013, 11:20 AM

The masking job is the most impressive part of this project. I've never seen anyone do it with the hitch installed on the trailer. Good work.

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**moosetags** · 11-10-2013, 01:17 PM

Lucy's Hensley now has its final coat of orange enamel. Hopefully, it will be ready for clear coat tomorrow.

Brian

**moosetags** · 11-12-2013, 08:16 PM

Two coats of clear coat have been applied. We're going to let it cure for a couple of days before we put the stickers on it.

Brian

SteveSueMac · 11-12-2013, 08:24 PM

Brian - that looks great! Did you go with Hensley orange to keep it original or do you just love the color? I'd be tempted to go black, silver, or a patriotic RWB :-)

Gilmurr · 11-12-2013, 08:25 PM

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Painted our Hensley while on the trailer this summer....it really made a difference. Just like yours..it looks like new. Nice job!

Tater · 11-12-2013, 08:48 PM

Looks great. Your extra effort to strip the hitch of old paint really made for a nice finish.

**moosetags** · 11-13-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Brian - that looks great! Did you go with Hensley orange to keep it original or do you just love the color? I'd be tempted to go black, silver, or a patriotic RWB :-)

We thought about changing colors. We've seen a couple of Hensleys painted black and one painted silver. They just don't look right to us. It would be like painting a John Deere tractor brown. It would detract from the authenticity. It would kind of be like putting big blue numbers on your airstream.

Brian

**moosetags** · 11-13-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilmurr

Attachment 199871

Painted our Hensley while on the trailer this summer....it really made a difference. Just like yours..it looks like new. Nice job!

Nice work, David and Andrea. Go Orange!!

Brian

SteveSueMac · 11-13-2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

It would be like painting a John Deere tractor brown.

Brian

I get it now! Excellent analogy!

ROBERT CROSS · 11-13-2013, 05:08 PM

Brian,

That DW special looks sooper, I think ours would be beige if....ooops.

Glad I put a couple coats of clear on ours when it was new....it still looks OK.

Helps that it comes off for winter storage...

...and gets covered when installed.

Bob

crispyboy · 11-13-2013, 05:50 PM

Looks good Brian! I also like the orange paint as it makes it stand out.
I have refurbished two different HAHA hitches, disassembling to the furthest extent and each time the bearings were full of moisture and pitting. I washed out, regreased the bearings and put in new seals and they seemed to operate more smoothly.
You have a lot of miles on your hitch, have you thought about this aspect of maintenance?

**moosetags** · 11-13-2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Brian,

That DW special looks sooper, I think ours would be beige if....ooops.

Glad I put a couple coats of clear on ours when it was new....it still looks OK.

Helps that it comes off for winter storage...

...and gets covered when installed.

Bob

That Hensley still looks pretty good. Ours is number 8332 and was new in 2005. This is the second time that SuEllyn has repainted it. Lucy has never been winterized, and her Hensley has never been off and was never covered.

Brian

**moosetags** · 11-19-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispyboy

Looks good Brian! I also like the orange paint as it makes it stand out.
I have refurbished two different HAHA hitches, disassembling to the furthest extent and each time the bearings were full of moisture and pitting. I washed out, regreased the bearings and put in new seals and they seemed to operate more smoothly.
You have a lot of miles on your hitch, have you thought about this aspect of maintenance?

No, I haven't. What was the procedure you used to do that?

Brian

**moosetags** · 11-19-2013, 08:32 PM

SuEllyn finished up with the Hensley facelift. She applied to new stickers today.

Brian

Silver Otter · 11-20-2013, 05:19 AM

FABULOUS work, SuEllyn! I'll not let my wife see these pictures, as she will insist I do the same. (We call it "honest wear" or something of the sort.) <grin>

crispyboy · 11-20-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

No, I haven't. What was the procedure you used to do that?

Brian

Brian,
The procedure is virtually the same if you have ever greased a wheel bearing on your trailer.
There are a total of 8 wheel bearings and 4 wheel seals.
The silver caps are like the outside dust covers on your trailer hubs. Behind them is the cotter pin, castle nut - remove them and you can disassemble the whole hitch.
I wouldn't say the project is mandatory but I have worked on two used hitches and I like to know what I am starting with. It is messy work but in the end I have full confidence that the used equipment I have purchased is in good working order. With the entire hitch disassembled it is easy to closely inspect all of the welds and wear and tear on the weight distribution bar socket.