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soldiermedic · 11-17-2009, 07:39 PM

Included in the price was a 27 month service plan that replaces the tool if it stops working for any reason.

I do plan to blast the stubborn paint off a few interior panels along with the wall paper on some pieces in prep for zolatone on the interior.

Steve

deauxrite · 11-17-2009, 08:34 PM

Looks good to me. BTW..no leaks this weekend while in Illinois and 3 inches of precip to wade through. Looks like the Captain Tolleys did a good job on my rig. We are off to DC for a week and then headed back down south to Mississippi.

A-Merry-Can · 11-18-2009, 06:54 AM

I too, am a Harbor Freight fan... I gotta look into the soda blaster set up next time I'm over there.

You're really making some progress now, man. Way to go!

JP

soldiermedic · 11-18-2009, 08:33 AM

Hey Deauxrite...did you use Cap'n Trolly's on all the leaks we located or just on the small ones?

The weather here has been raining like crazy since last weekend. I have had no chance to get outside and work on buttoning up the rear of the trailer for winter. I am hoping for a break in the weather to accomplish this, and rivet everything back. I have noticed a alot of condensation on the interior (Not leaks), and a few leak points that need to be sealed on the front window.

Please stop raining and let the sun come out for this weekend...please!

FC7039 · 11-18-2009, 04:02 PM

How much media did it take for the trim caps? What is the clean up effort afterwords? Can this be used in the trailer or only outside?

Thanks.

Xbob2 · 11-18-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC7039

How much media did it take for the trim caps? What is the clean up effort afterwords? Can this be used in the trailer or only outside?

Thanks.

As Soldiermedic's assistant allow me to reply ... He used about half of a 50lb. bag ($37). This is for both the front and back beauty strips. S. started blasting on the interior endcap that he wanted to polish and it left a cloudy finish ... not good! WE stopped in case we were doing permanent damage. OK if zolotone was the end product. Soda blaster websites say it dose not etch the metal ... we will see!
BOB

soldiermedic · 11-18-2009, 05:33 PM

I also test blasted other items. We blasted a rusty outrigger that was removed, and I started removing paint off an old interior panel before moving onto the trim caps.

The trim caps took lots of media since they had thick layers of bondo.

Being a green product. I hosed off the driveway and the recent rains have taken care of the rest of the dust. Brooming could do the same job.

I plan to use this inside the trailer on a few areas that have spots that need cleaning. Just vacuum it up when done.

Xbob2 · 11-18-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

I also test blasted other items. We blasted a rusty outrigger that was removed, and I started removing paint off an old interior panel before moving onto the trim caps.

The trim caps took lots of media since they had thick layers of bondo.

Being a green product. I hosed off the driveway and the recent rains have taken care of the rest of the dust. Brooming could do the same job.

I plan to use this inside the trailer on a few areas that have spots that need cleaning. Just vacuum it up when done.

Soda blasting is cool, Soda blasting is good hope to buy a commercial unit to do my trailer and many others ...
Keep posted!
Bob

goransons · 11-18-2009, 07:07 PM

Nice concept, so here's a question, how much media would you guestimate you go through per square foot? How is the mess?

soldiermedic · 11-18-2009, 08:07 PM

The mess sweeps, blows with a leaf blower, or flows away with a hose.

It is impossible to guesstimate since it all depends on what you are taking off. A single layer of paint will come off alot quicker than multiple layers. For my panels, I only want to take enough off that I can get the stripper to work well, or the acid etching primer for the new zolatone to bond to.

FC7039 · 11-19-2009, 10:59 AM

How big of air compressor do you have? Will this work with a small take compressor or is a large air flow needed?

soldiermedic · 11-19-2009, 11:54 AM

I have a 33 gallon 6.5 HP upright compresson by craftsman. Blasting does take a great deal of air, and a small tank will not keep up with requirements to do the blasting.

Xbob2 · 11-20-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

I have a 33 gallon 6.5 HP upright compresson by craftsman. Blasting does take a great deal of air, and a small tank will not keep up with requirements to do the blasting.

What Steve didn't say is that his air compressor was working hard just to keep up with the little 10 lb. soda blaster ... you need a high CFM (cubic feet per minuet) to do blasting.
Bob
Trusty assistant

FC7039 · 11-20-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xbob2

.....
Bob
Trusty assistant

Have the words "Bob, get me another beer been uttered yet?"

soldiermedic · 11-20-2009, 10:32 AM

Not really...I don't drink.

Happycampers · 11-20-2009, 02:39 PM

That is a nice addition to your tool collection Steve. The soda blaster is nice, I remember when I was working at a Ford dealer in the 80s and the silver and grey colored trucks had a problem with the paint coming loose. Ford would pay to have them soda blasted and repaint, the reason they used the soda was because they didn't have to remove chrome, door handles and other things, saved a lot of time.

Marvin

Xbob2 · 11-20-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC7039

Have the words "Bob, get me another beer been uttered yet?"

Actually its more like "Bob, hand me x ... or "Where is my y, or "What do you think about Z?" I alternate from "Project foreman" to "Trusty assistant" several times in an hour. This is fine as I am thrilled to be able to learn/help all at the same time.
Bob
Crusty Assistant

soldiermedic · 11-20-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xbob2

Actually its more like "Bob, hand me x ... or "Where is my y, or "What do you think about Z?" I alternate from "Project foreman" to "Trusty assistant" several times in an hour. This is fine as I am thrilled to be able to learn/help all at the same time.
Bob
Crusty Assistant

Yeah...I bounce alot of ideas and questions off my crusty assistant. He's happy we are screwing up certain things on mine so we don't mess it up on his!!!!

Steve

Xbob2 · 11-20-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

yeah...i bounce alot of ideas and questions off my crusty assistant. He's happy we are screwing up certain things on mine so we don't mess it up on his!!!!

Steve

amen!

soldiermedic · 02-21-2010, 05:31 PM

Hello All,

It's been awhile since anything new has been done on the flying cloud, but that is about to change. Tomorrow I will be pulling new 110v wiring, and installing a 12v system that will replace all the 110v lighting. I will be installing a 4045 progressive dynamics converter after the walls are back in, and huge thanks to Melody Ranch who walked me through all of the diagrams and his installation.

Originally the trailer had a fluorescent light at the front of the end cap, a light between the front and center vent, two wall sconces in the rear of the trailer, and a bathroom light. The ceiling light and front fluorescent light were removed prior to my purchase, and the old sconces were brittle and removed.

I plan to use a light similar to this one found at West marine.

Vintage Trailer Supply used to sell lights like this, but they lost their supplier. I have found several sources for these lights at marine outlets. I am at a bit of a loss on what to do for the fluorescent light that was originally in the front end cap, and the two wall mounted laps. Vintage Trailer Supply no longer sells the wall sconces they once sold either, and while I have found a replacement...I don't like the look.

I really like the look of the Pan America's lighting sconces. Basically a bulb with decorative aluminum mesh for the diffuser. The mesh is easy to get at Home Depot or my local metal supply, but fabricating the light base with no brake would be difficult.

With the original shower stall being cramped, I had planned to go with only a toilet in the trailer. We almost always use the shower houses when we camp anyhow. I was searching for a black tank on ebay, and came across this item from Pelland Enterprises. The item was return unused by a customer. Tank and shower pan combo that already has the closet flange installed, and has the drain in the tank bottom. For $80, I couldn't pass it up (It retails on their site for $384). I guess I will need it to get here before figuring out how to vent the black tank, and how to install the gate valve.

If anyone has suggestions on the lighting, I would like to hear about it. I have looked all over for nice looking sconces or wall lamps, but have not found anything I like.

Steve