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Stogiemann · 02-19-2015, 10:37 AM

Does it have to be done in aluminum or is tin sufficient?

55AS · 02-19-2015, 10:49 AM

I used aluminum. Never heard of anyone using tin.

perryg114 · 02-19-2015, 11:18 AM

I assume by tin you mean galvanized steel? It could be done but an equal weight of aluminum will be a lot thicker and not as flimsy as steel. The tank pans are thick galvanized steel. You can do it, but it will add weight.

Perry

batman · 02-19-2015, 11:45 AM

Stogiemann,

My .02
You can use almost anything you want to. Especially if it is just a patch.
However there are always things to consider with each choice we make.
Tinned metal, Galvanized metal are heavier and will rust at the drilled out rivet holes, after a couple years of moving and shaking it will be falling off.
Copper, no rust, has a severe galvanic reaction with aluminum
Stainless steal, $$$, no rust, very heavy and hard to work with.
Aluminum, Cheaper, no rust, light and easy to work with.

-Dennis

perryg114 · 02-19-2015, 11:49 AM

Galvanized steel is not bad. The Zinc coating protects it and the frame from rust. Holes are usually not a problem because the zinc helps with those as well. Aluminum can corrode because of the steel frame and steel screws. Best to paint the frame with POR15 to electrically insulate the two different metals. I use stainless screws on everything. I hate rivets for places where you need to get back into periodically and inspect for damage.

Perry

thumbelinadj · 02-25-2015, 01:15 PM

i bought 5052 .063 - 5 sheets. Am in the middle of the mess of the belly pan install as we speak. I POR-15 the frame. Using 3M 5200 in any holes. Used 1' band and fat flange rivets. It is a harder aluminum and hard to work with. Bought an English Wheel to make the bends. Lots of hours and mistakes in this.

Keep your old pan for template

Good luck!

55AS · 02-25-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumbelinadj

i bought 5052 .063 - 5 sheets. Am in the middle of the mess of the belly pan install as we speak. I POR-15 the frame. Using 3M 5200 in any holes. Used 1' band and fat flange rivets. It is a harder aluminum and hard to work with. Bought an English Wheel to make the bends. Lots of hours and mistakes in this.

Keep your old pan for template

Good luck!

I imagine it is pretty hard to work with in that thickness. I think that is thicker than the shell..

perryg114 · 02-25-2015, 02:02 PM

That is way too thick. Bending won't be fun. I would go no thicker than .032 for the side wraps.

Perry

featherbedder · 02-25-2015, 02:43 PM

Why does AS put sides on then bannana wrap over side matl. causing many leaks then belt rail as was done on my 76 AS and no some else did not do this as I pur. new. Does AS still do this way? So if new wraps try to put under side skins or else seal very well.

batman · 02-25-2015, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumbelinadj

i bought 5052 .063 - 5 sheets. Am in the middle of the mess of the belly pan install as we speak. I POR-15 the frame. Using 3M 5200 in any holes. Used 1' band and fat flange rivets. It is a harder aluminum and hard to work with. Bought an English Wheel to make the bends. Lots of hours and mistakes in this.

Keep your old pan for template

Good luck!

Nice job! Wow, .063 is thick, heavy and expensive. That is almost twice the thickness of the outside panels (.032). Belly pan material can be thinner than the sides and no Alclad. An English Wheel, awesome. Must see photo's.

batman · 02-25-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by featherbedder

Why does AS put sides on then bannana wrap over side matl. causing many leaks then belt rail as was done on my 76 AS and no some else did not do this as I pur. new. Does AS still do this way? So if new wraps try to put under side skins or else seal very well.

Featherbedder, the banana wrap is just a decorative band to cover the transition of the side panels to the belly pan. The banana wrap does not prevent or cause leaks. If you have leaks near your walls, it is most likely coming from a source up higher like a window seam, vent or skylight and runs down the inside of the wall. Not the banana wrap.

thumbelinadj · 02-25-2015, 03:41 PM

You're right perry it is .032. My mind is going

perryg114 · 02-25-2015, 05:58 PM

Zep made a jig for bending those side wraps. He used some PVC pipe which is what I used to bend mine. As far as corner wraps, those are really hard to make from scratch.

Perry

featherbedder · 02-26-2015, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman

Featherbedder, the banana wrap is just a decorative band to cover the transition of the side panels to the belly pan. The banana wrap does not prevent or cause leaks. If you have leaks near your walls, it is most likely coming from a source up higher like a window seam, vent or skylight and runs down the inside of the wall. Not the banana wrap.

When I pulled rub rail, side panels do not meet belly pan, also between rivets fairly large gaps in wrap. I do not have any leaks as top edge rub rail is well sealed with par bond, also no windows or door leaks, but my AS not exposed any extreme climate changes as put in heated storage since 1991 before cold weather comes.

rowdyATX · 04-20-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

Zep made a jig for bending those side wraps. He used some PVC pipe which is what I used to bend mine. As far as corner wraps, those are really hard to make from scratch.

Perry

Do you have a picture to show how you use the pvc pipe to bend the side wraps?

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

KrisE MN · 06-21-2015, 12:40 PM

has anyone recycled good aluminum from non AS for belly wrap? I know of 2 very nice aluminum trailers w good sides for donor material. My dad suggested it and did sound viable

Aerowood · 06-21-2015, 01:25 PM

While possible, with enough work, it could be done. It would be simpler and faster to just use new aluminum. Depending on how wide the sheets are on the donor, it would be best if there where at least 4' wide in order to rivet between two frame members. New 3003 sheets don't really cost that much.

KrisE MN · 06-21-2015, 02:01 PM

I liked the idea of recycling and there are plenty of long sheets without holes

Aerowood · 06-21-2015, 03:23 PM

Sounds like you should go for it then

HiJoeSilver · 06-21-2015, 07:48 PM

5052-h32 .032 thick. It's not to hard to find, check steel distributors/supply places. If you're lucky they'll have a sheer, plan the sizes you'll need, minus the curves you'll have to cut, and have them sheer it for you. Cost me $1 per cut and saved a lot of time and work. It can still be tough to bend around the side to the bottom.