1948 Liner Resurrection

[submariner]

it has been a couple of weeks that i posted last.. had some slow progress.

Dave,
first of all welcome and congrats on your Liner.
Im sure when you look through the pictures, you will see, that there will be a lot of work ahead of you.
I started now exactly one year ago , and have up to date 590hrs in the project. (yes i keep up with every hr spend)
it took 270hrs to remove the shell, build a new frame and re-install the shell.. the rest of the time is spend with stripping interior panels and replacing exterior skin.

as for the interior, i have no major plans yet, except it will be rear/ side bed, a small shower/ bath/toilet area and i will be utilizing the original kitchen.
I hope i get started on the interior layout soon.. but before i need to finally finish all exterior panels and then insulate and run wiring, before i build the interior.

long way to go..

[submariner]

i hope the weather stays clear this weekend. I finally removed the last exterior panels.. the fwd end cap. I had already two panels replaced last week and was able today to drill out all other 10 panels within 4hrs..

here some pictures:

[submariner]

ok, for those of you who ever wonder if they might have a leak on old panels, or if you just wonder how your seal might look like here some pictures.
the first picture shows a closeup of the seam between the end cap panels. as you can see, there is no sealant left....
the second picture shows the center seam. as you see, the entire remaining sealant has turned into “sand” and is just falling off.
I sure am glad, I went that route and replaced the panels, because now i have all new sealant.. and i used plenty

[dbj216]

Stefan, you probably said already, but what seam sealant are you using? I would think you would want something pretty runny so your panels lay flat.

David

[submariner]

I am using Trempro 635. It is not runny though. It does stay semi flexible and is a replacement for Vulkem. I do get it from VTS.


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[dbj216]

Does is squish out good when you shoot the rivets (giving your significant other a pounding headache!) I was wondering if Acryl R would work. I wonder what the Airstream factory uses for seam sealant.

Tempro 635 is good stuff for sure.

David

[submariner]

I believe the trempro is what is being used today. I like it even though it is a little messy. I always run a clean bead along the rivet line. Ones the panel is held in place by gleckos, most of the sealer has evened out. While riveting a little more will squeeze out, but it distributes evenly over the width of the seam. I usually use mineral spirits to clean it up.


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[KZOO]

Hi Stefan,
Thanks for responding. I was trying to get all of my ducks in row before starting primarily for holding tank placement. I have greatly enjoyed your posts and I have no doubt that they will greatly help and inspire. That is impressive about keeping tract of the hours. I don't think that I am brave enough to do it. I might become depressed.

[submariner]

Keeping track of all hrs is just something i do on all resurrections. Even on the work I put in my personal truck. This way you know when it comes to the point and time of putting a value on something, how much you got into it


Well as for progress I managed to duplicate the remaining 10 end cap panels today inclusive drilling all holes. My wife and I started riveting today at 2 and finally quit at 5. We managed to rivet 4 panels.. (she said we would be doing pretty good in a competition though)

I had a hard time on the street side for the aluminum to bend just right, but i think it will turn out ok once polished.
By time it got dark we set all panels in place with glecos, to keep most of the weather out till in the morning. supposed to rain tonite..
Well.. only 7 more panels to rivet and the end cap is done

[submariner]

We had to temporary secure the last panel in the dark with a light on the inside.. though i take a picture, showing all the holes...
Looks like an Alien Spaceship

[submariner]

Happy Riveting Thanksgiving to everybody

[submariner]

The nice thing about the holidays is that i am off from work and i can work on my Airstream Projects.
Today happen to be nice weather as well so we continued to rivet the front end cap.
5 hrs later, we finally were done replacing the last exterior panel.

now all we have left to do is polish 3 more window frames, the front window frame and rivet those in. I also have to polish the roof hatches, and cut them in and rivet.. But for now i am sure glad i mad it to this point...

[submariner]

while cleaning up, i thought i hang the inside end cap, that my wife finished stripping last week. just wanted to see, how it will look..

[dbj216]

Hi Stefan. Happy Thanksgiving to you. Yes, I bet it was riveting! I too worked on my old Trade Wind for a little while today, and then ate a pumpkin pie! The whole thing! Ooooh!

Your liner sure looks great. You've built the whole trailer except the bows in the fuselage and maybe some other stuff. It looks like it could fly if it had wings. It takes a lot of metal working skills to do what you just did.

David

[submariner]

Thanks David,

The easy part is done now :-) now I got to polish a bunch of small parts.. The outside will be polished also, then I do a water test before I insulate..
Ohh.. And I need to polish my 34 too :-)


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[dbj216]

Sealing leaks and polishing are on my list this winter too. I'm going to try the "hillbilly SealTech" method of leak testing. I'll rig a high volume fan in a outside compartment opening, seal the thing to the exterior of the trailer, and turn it on to pressurize the interior volume of the trailer. Then I'll grab a bowl of soapy water and brush it on around windows and down seams. I'll look for bubbles. I have both my 66 and my 86 to seal up. I've seen folks try this with some success here on the Forums. I think it's worth a shot.

And I'm going to try the Jestco buffing method for polishing my Trade Wind. Forum folks say it's faster than the Nuvite compounding method. My 86 is already polished, so I will spend the hours necessary for a good touch up.

Plan on taking your Liner to all kinds of Airstream shows and rallies. It's going to be a huge attraction. Plan on taking your Limited traveling. It will be a very comfortable hideout at night.

David

[submariner]

maybe i just put me a hitch on the back of the limited to tow both to shows :-) just kidding..

as for leak test, i am certain, the Liner will be seal.. i used enough Trempro and every seam is new. First i have to rebuild all windows and get new seal for them at VTS. once that is done i’ll do the leak test.

I do like the Jetsco buffing method as well, as it does go a little faster. but you have to get after it with the Cyclo.

[submariner]

got some more work accomplished today. the rear inside end cap is now stripped of all its original paint as well thanks to my wife. The from window frame is re-installed in the same fashion as the rear one. I re produced the upper and lower parts and kept the original side curved pieces. took me just about all day though.. unfortunately for you guys i did not take any pictures.. i guess i got to do them soon.

[KZOO]

Hi Stefan,
For the floor I was thinking about putting in Aluminum instead of plywood. Thinking about less weight, no rot, and a little improved head room (I am 6'3"). What are your thoughts?
Dave (KZOO)

[submariner]

You would need at least 3/8 aluminum and sufficient structure below so it don't warp. Very pricey , and I believe not worth it .. You only gain 1/2" .


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