1956 Bubble Restoration Start to Finish

[the544man]

About the smoker. Yes it is all smoker and does the convection thing. I just turn the thermostat to 400 when doing red meat. A local company in Dallas oregon called Mak grills (crazy expensive) do both and are 100 percent made in the USA. No rv model available yet. I think I'll take mine over to them and put a bug in their ear.

[bolerama]

Amazing work! Love the new upholstery. It blends in with your design perfectly.
Lisa

[the544man]

I bought some interesting matching hawaiian style melamine plates, serving trays and bowls and put them on the table to see if we like the look. What do you think. It's not mission style but it does give a retro vacation attitude.

[Snowey BC]

Fun and functional, what more could you want.

[the544man]

Yesterday I coating the insides of the bubble drawers with some polyurethane to make it easier to clean later on. I don't know why I forgot to do this months ago. I also installed a switchable 12v light in the exterior fridge hatch to make it easier to do low light fridge changes when switching over from propane- electric or 12 vt power.

here's a question for you: My norcold fridge does all three. But I assume the propane is more efficient than the 12 vt when in tow right? I have my tow vehicle sending power through the trailer wiring but I can't imagine it would stay at a uniform temp on 12 volt. Do you have any experience with this? I've tried out the propane and it works perfectly. I guess I don't want to chance the 12 vt on the maiden voyage if it's not as good. any thought on that? cheers

[the544man]

Put a fire extinguisher in the under sink cabinet today. Seems like a no brainer. I also put in the coolest bottle opener ever inside the small access door next to the fridge. Cheers friends. The maiden voyage is in a week and a half!

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by the544man

I assume the propane is more efficient than the 12 vt when in tow right? I have my tow vehicle sending power through the trailer wiring but I can't imagine it would stay at a uniform temp on 12 volt. Do you have any experience with this? I've tried out the propane and it works perfectly. I guess I don't want to chance the 12 vt on the maiden voyage if it's not as good. any thought on that? cheers

I would run the refrigerator on propane as it will run much more efficiently. But having the 12v feature does give you options. Some folks are leery of running anything on propane while towing and in some cases, like on a ferry, running propane isn't allowed, so it is a nice feature to have.

[Melody Ranch]

Nice....where did you find the Fender opener? I have to get one for my Brothers Caravel.

[bredlo]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Nice....where did you find the Fender opener? I have to get one for my Brothers Caravel.

Amazon.com: Fender Fender Bottle Opener: Musical Instruments

[the544man]

mr mello and friends, thanks for the input on the fridge. good advice. Since our maiden voyage is in state and only a couple hours away--i think i'll fire it up on propane and check it a couple times in route just to see if it blows out. i've only tested it sitting in the driveway where it worked stellar (with no wind obviously). then we'll be ready for the longer trip to idaho in july. i found that when i turned my "computer" fridge--cooling fan on it cooled the heat transfer grill very well. I have memories of my parents old shasta that seemed to blow out in the driveway. this fridge is brand new so i'm hoping for good service.

you guys are fast on the fender opener! excellent. cheers--ted

[mello mike]

I like the Fender bottle opener, too. I have a Coca-Cola bottle opener just like it for my Overlander.

[ddstech]

Your killing me with your amazing work. My trailer sits in the driveway yelling at me..."why can't you be more like Ted!".

[the544man]

hilarious--thanks for the compliment and laugh matt. but my bank account screams out on my iphone Mint app several times a day..."why can't you be more like Matt!"

[ddstech]

Ted, I just saw the picture of your yard, its clear to me that you are shooting to be on several magazine covers....

Also, on that door latch I gave you, you may want to take a small craft paintbrush and coat the spring and backside of the latch with some por15 or silver paint. Mine that has been in the weather this winter is already showing surface rust where the chrome did not grab to. By painting the spring it will prevent any rust streaks from blemishing your perfect trailer. I also noticed the spring I got from Vintage Trailer supply for the entry door handle has also rusted already. I plan on taking it apart again and giving it a coat so it does not prematurely fail.

[the544man]

Good idea on the spring matt. I'm lucky to have a shed that the whopping 13ft bubble fits in so that shiny latch you sent me still looks new. Thanks for the heads up. Heres another idea: What if I drenched it with silicone spray a few times a year? Do you think that would keep it sweet? I suppose either way metal in Oregon likes to deteriorate no matter what. Cheers.

Ps: And the garden's my wife's hobby. She does beautiful work I keep my sanity by working on all our toys with wheels.

[the544man]

Here's a shot of a typical repair I just made on the belly of the bubble beast belly pan. Pretty easy fix. I have no desire to replace an entire pan. I Just cut a piece of aluminum, put a bead of silicon around the the underside and riveted it in.

[kar2879]

I love the interior lights. Where did you find them?

Karen

[ddstech]

Originally Posted by the544man

Here's a shot of a typical repair I just made on the belly of the bubble beast belly pan. Pretty easy fix. I have no desire to replace an entire pan. I Just cut a piece of aluminum, put a bead of silicon around the the underside and riveted it in.

Hold the phone, you mean to tell me you didnt have a custom piece made with engraving on it that says "hole patch". I'm disappointed, this project is really taking a turn for the worse.... Just kidding..Although the judges might mark you for not using olympic rivots and shaving the heads.

[the544man]

For those of you new to this thread..matt and I have begun a duel of sarcasm! So what do you think matt-Maybe the moderator could photoshop an engraving in? That would do the trick. I thought about using a sharpie but that may only last a couple years. Hey have a good day friends. Summer may have finally started in Oregon. Cheers. Ted

[marzboy]

544Man, I love your thread! I look at it (and a couple other threads) when I need motivation. Keep it comming!