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Chlyman · 03-12-2012, 06:50 PM

Does anyone know if all clad 2024-t3 can be used to make a louvered vent?

Chlyman · 03-12-2012, 09:08 PM

I don't feel like I got much done this weekend, but I guess progress is slow on these things.
I began to polish the side window in place since I can't take it out until I get the bit from VTS. I removed the gunk around the existing vent. Started on the patch for the furnace using the old screw holes. They seemed so randomly spaced. I did add more rivets, but will post that picture later.
The eyebrow over the door was painted black on the underside, so I did scrape the old paint off.

Aerowood · 03-13-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chlyman

Does anyone know if all clad 2024-t3 can be used to make a louvered vent?

2024-T3 will crack at the corners, Use 6061-T6, or 5052 instead

Chlyman · 03-21-2012, 12:46 AM

It finally stopped raining and I got right back to work. I put a new seal in the rear window, got it cleaned up and back in. The new seal looks a little smaller than the old one, but it went in great.
I put on new tail lights. The old ones were each missing one part that the screw catches to hold the lens on. I don't know what it is called or if I can get a replacement, but I will clean them up and maybe sell them if I can.
I also was able to take off the side window and get that cleaned up and resealed. I did not remove the window frame. I know I should, but it is so well attached, so I just cut the gasket back and will use adhesive to put some gasket on the front of the frame.
I had new vents made that have a better look, I think, than the standard vents you can buy, I am now in the process of polishing them. They are very heavy gauge aluminum!
I also am very excited since I found a guy who has a bunch of old trailer windows. He had one for me that fits my kitchen window. It is a double hehr standard as opposed to the original single, but who cares. Anything is better than the current 70's slider!!
All my windows were painted black on the inside, so I have also been scraping that off. It comes off really easily. That is a nice surprise, since usually things take longer and are more difficult than you think they are going to be!!!!

Becky B. · 03-21-2012, 06:15 AM

Looking really nice! The window was a really lucky find. And your vent looks great too!

Chlyman · 03-21-2012, 03:59 PM

Thanks Becky! Yes, I have been looking for a window for about a year. So I was thrilled to find one that will not require any modification!!

I spent almost all day today working on installing the vent. Things never go as fast as you plan!!! I am happy with how it looks and will work on removing that awful kitchen window slider next.
I plan to build an access door out of my other vent, but I figure that can wait for now.

worldinchaos · 03-22-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chlyman

Thanks Becky! Yes, I have been looking for a window for about a year. So I was thrilled to find one that will not require any modification!!

I spent almost all day today working on installing the vent. Things never go as fast as you plan!!! I am happy with how it looks and will work on removing that awful kitchen window slider next.
I plan to build an access door out of my other vent, but I figure that can wait for now.

Wow. Really nice vent. You may have posted this already, but is that Alclad that the louvers are stamped out of? The polish blends in perfectly...

Chlyman · 03-22-2012, 10:21 PM

Hi Peter,
The vent is 5052 aluminum. I was told the all clad would not tolerate the louvers. So this was the next best thing and it does polish pretty well. The vent is very heavy gauge metal, I think .064.

Chlyman · 03-23-2012, 09:39 PM

Well, I have these stickers, that are very good quality, on the trailer. I have had some people say I should leave them, but I think I am going to remove them this weekend. I think it is a band from the 80's.

I have been working on the new window for the kitchen. I stripped it down with a sander, and put in a new aluminum screen. I have also done the gasket and it is now help in place with a few clecos. Can't wait to get it all installed!

marzboy · 03-23-2012, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chlyman

Well, I have these stickers, that are very good quality, on the trailer. I have had some people say I should leave them, but I think I am going to remove them this weekend. I think it is a band from the 80's.

I have been working on the new window for the kitchen. I stripped it down with a sander, and put in a new aluminum screen. I have also done the gasket and it is now help in place with a few clecos. Can't wait to get it all installed!

Those windows can be a real pain, I am so glad that I am done with that phase. Lookin good!

Chlyman · 03-31-2012, 12:54 AM

I agree, I hate the windows too. Luckily there are a lot less on the Airstream. My Kenskill has 6 double hehr standards and and 4 singles. That is a lot of cleaning and polishing!!!

That sticker that I have been working on is quite difficult!!! The Goo Off only seem to melt the black part of the sticker off. So then I was looking at a clear round sticker on the door. Then I did a scary thing (for me!) I got my torch out and melted a little bit at a time. Now I am trying to polish the rest off. It is not an easy process!! I still have another one to do also, and this one is on the rear endcap. Not sure I want to use the torch.

I tried to sand my left rear teardrop lens. It is the original and dull. It was only marginally successful. I ended up putting some marks in it from the heat of the polishing wheel!

I have had a lot of trouble with the new window. The right side of the skin opening was not cut square, so when we bucked the rivets they turned sideways, making an enormous hole in the window frame. So now I am putting a piece of metal in front of the window frame and behind. I also ran out of rivets after figuring out the fix, so those arrived today. Hopefully we can move on!

Also took out the door knob to help with the polishing. Can't tell what was there originally by looking at the cut shape, but I think it was supposed to be the Bargman H-20. Long gone now!

Worked on the emblem a little. Not as professional as I was looking for!

It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so might not get any thing done!

mrgreen · 03-31-2012, 03:02 AM

wow that looks great i'm going to read your whole thread tonight!!, great shine!, how do you re-paint your emblems like that?

tinman54 · 03-31-2012, 05:43 AM

Nice looking work! I think windows are everyone's least favorite thing to do!

Chlyman · 03-31-2012, 08:31 AM

For the emblem, I followed several other members recommendations and taped off the vin number, then sprayed it with Rustoleum Royal Blue. Then gently scraped and sanded the raised areas. Then cover it with a clear coat. I always think things are going to be easier than they are!

Chlyman · 04-02-2012, 10:47 PM

Yesterday I got ready to add the access door for the future refrigerator. It is scary to cut an opening into new skin! But I did it anyway! I also started working on making my other vented panel into an access door.

I wish I could work on it all the time! The only thing I had time to do today was screw in a lens into the front side marker.

I also finished the kitchen window. It is so nice to have that back in. I did have to fabricate a new clip to hold the screen on. The little end breaks so easily on the old ones!!!! I just need to add one piece of weather stripping and it will be all done!

Chlyman · 04-30-2012, 11:26 PM

Not much going on in the Airstream lately. Cold weather, rain, made working no fun. Then realizing the big Pismo Rally was so soon, and I have a lot to do on my Kenskill before going. In the process of building a shower pan for the third time. Hopefully this is the last time and I really want a prefab one for the airstream! I hope to get some ideas at Pismo, but I have never seen a Traveller there or anywhere but Oregon.

3Ms75Argosy · 05-01-2012, 08:04 AM

Great work! I never heard anything more about your axle...from the one pic you posted on page 3 of the bellypan, looks like it's all together again. I again think that you have WAY too many spring leaves on that springpack. I bet your trailer would both ride better and be higher if you took out two of the smaller leaves.

Bet if feels good to be along this far!
Marc

Chlyman · 06-13-2013, 07:36 PM

Wow, I took almost exactly a year off! Late summer last year I got a "frozen shoulder". Made it impossible to work on the trailer. It has been getting much better, so after The Pismo rally last month I got back to work. I took out the roof vent and decided that might be the easiest time to polish what I could reach on the roof. Trying to get pits of oxidation out of the aluminum is a whole different beast than the regular polishing! I had no idea how aggressive I would have to get! I started with the G9 Nuvite, and to think I was worried about that being too aggressive by the 8th time going over the same spot!
I did some research here on corrosion, and then proceeded to attack it with sand paper. First 400, then 320, then down to 220, I was working on it for hours. I was worried about sanding through the cladding, but I think it's all ok. There are still some pits around the rivets. I didn't want to sand the rivets down to nothing. After the sanding, I have gone over it with the g9 about 4 times so far. It is finally looking acceptable. Still a way to go. It really surprised me how difficult this was and how many hours this one roof panel is taking. The next panel on the street side is even worse. I am not looking forward to that!