1959 Overlander Restoration

[65CV]

Here's a picture of the broken light shade. Does anyone know what material they are made of? Has anyone repaired or replaced one?

[65CV]

The Princess Stove hasn't been tested, but we'd like to restore it too. We're missing two parts -- the vented cover behind the knobs and the sliding hinge and top that covers the stovetop. Is anyone parting out a stove?

[65CV]

We have an intact gaucho base, much of it recovered from out in the rain, so it will have to be fully rebuilt. We don't have the cushions. Does anyone have the measurements of the original cushions? Am I correct to assume that the back probably had a piece of masonite to stiffen it?

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by 65CV

Here's a picture of the broken light shade. Does anyone know what material they are made of? Has anyone repaired or replaced one?

Hi John,
The material is likely polycarbonate (lexan). If you disassemble the the diffuser, you should be able to get the endcaps off in one piece by cutting & diligent grinding. The curved part can be recreated by "drape forming" over a mold. These are identical to the lamps on my 59 Ambassador International.
Thanks,
Colin

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by 65CV

Here's a picture of the broken light shade. Does anyone know what material they are made of? Has anyone repaired or replaced one?

Hey John
Let me know what you find out about the lamp shades, I need just about all of mine replaced. Somewhere along the line the PO replaced the light bulbs and the melted the shades.
Looking good.take care of that arm!
Thanks
Mike

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by 65CV

We have an intact gaucho base, much of it recovered from out in the rain, so it will have to be fully rebuilt. We don't have the cushions. Does anyone have the measurements of the original cushions? Am I correct to assume that the back probably had a piece of masonite to stiffen it?

Hi John,
I have assorted old gaucho cushions around my shop, so if you're going with the original design, this isn't a problem. Keep in mind though that the original gaucho was only 47" wide when it was deployed. I have done a bunch of mods to these gauchos that allow it to open to 58" wide & still look very original when its in its couch mode. It makes a huge difference to your sleeping comfort
Thanks,
Colin

[65CV]

Originally Posted by Colin H

Hi John,
The material is likely polycarbonate (lexan). If you disassemble the the diffuser, you should be able to get the endcaps off in one piece by cutting & diligent grinding. The curved part can be recreated by "drape forming" over a mold. These are identical to the lamps on my 59 Ambassador International.
Thanks,
Colin

Colin,

Good idea on the lexan, thanks. I'll try it out and -- if I can make it work -- will take pics for desertair27.

I hope you don't mind me crawling around and taking a bunch of gaucho measurements when we bring the Overlander up for the Rotisserie resto. 99% of the time, the gaucho will be used as a couch, so our primary goal is comfort in the evening. We plan to use the twin beds for sleeping, either stealing Marcus' superbed idea or putting slides in to accomplish the same.

John

[65CV]

Originally Posted by desertair27

Hey John
Looking good.take care of that arm!
Thanks
Mike

Thanks, Mike.

Frustrating that I can't turn those old flat head screws that hold in the furniture. They definitely need more than one good arm! I'd rather be doing interior disassembly, but can't do much for another two weeks. Seems like polishing is the easiest on the arm -- I can guide the polisher as I handle most of the weight with my good arm.

Didn't think that I'd end up with a "Polished Turd", but we're heading there fast.

John

[Lothlorian]

I made new diffusers for my light. I got the idea from another forum member. They came out looking like new from the factory. I bought the material at lowes because it was flexible. I also put a heat gun to the material right before I installed them so they would not crack.

Check out my link because I took pics.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...-70006-23.html

Brian

[Lothlorian]

I made all new diffusers.]




Brian

[65CV]

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

I made new diffusers for my light. I got the idea from another forum member. They came out looking like new from the factory. I bought the material at lowes because it was flexible. I also put a heat gun to the material right before I installed them so they would not crack.

Check out my link because I took pics.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...-70006-23.html

Brian

Thanks, Brian. I'll check out the Duralens Prismatic White at Lowe's next time I'm there. Based on Mike's comment, I may stock up on 60 watt incandescent bulbs too.

That's encouraging. I definitely want to save the lights. With the shelf on top, metal grating that matches the rest of the decor and the choice of 12v or 110v bulbs, they are high on the list of keepers.

Happy Easter,
John

[Lothlorian]

I noticed you stripped the inside paint off. You might want to consider getting your galley cabinet powder coated.

Brian

[utee94]

Originally Posted by 65CV

We plan to use the twin beds for sleeping, either stealing Marcus' superbed idea or putting slides in to accomplish the same.

John

I can't tell you how much we love Superbed. It makes really functional couches and a nice lounge area for adults when in twin bed mode, and when deployed it's fantastic to sleep on.

But the absolute best thing we've discovered is that when it's raining or other foul weather, it's perfect for all of the kids to hang out on and watch movies on the TV. We camp with some people who have much newer rigs, one's a brand new SOB with a huge slideout and another is an extremely nice bus-style motorhome. But when the weather's bad, we've found that all the kids tend to come to our Airstream to hang out on Superbed. I bet your grandkids would love it if you decided to go that direction.

It's a bit of work to make each evening and unmake each morning, but not more than 3-4 minutes really. And when I'm camping, I'm not counting the minutes that's for sure!

Good luck!
-Marcus

[65CV]

Originally Posted by Lothlorian

I noticed you stripped the inside paint off. You might want to consider getting your galley cabinet powder coated.

Brian

Brian,

I've seen all the powder coating you have done in your thread and it looks good.

Hope you don't mind if I pick your brain in the future on powder coating. That young fellow that you recommend looks like he does it well. We haven't stripped paint yet, so I don't know the condition of things under the 3 or more layers that remain.

John

[65CV]

Originally Posted by utee94

I can't tell you how much we love Superbed.
...
I bet your grandkids would love it if you decided to go that direction.
...
-Marcus

As of yesterday, it's officially "grandchildren". Our granddaughter showed up to the family Easter celebration wearing a "Big Sister" shirt. No-one noticed for about 2 minutes, then the screaming started.

Looks like refurbishing that tub and making the Superbed are a must.

John

[65CV]

What remained of the gaucho, the aluminum pressure tank and Grover Compressor are out. The inside of the tank doesn't look bad -- needs a mild acid cleaning, but should be OK.

I pulled apart the compressor to clean it up. I couldn't find a picture of the guts on the forums, so I took one. It's a really simple design!

Motor is on the left, piston in the center and housing is on the right. To the right of the housing, from top to bottom are the check valve, filter (felt) and plug.

If someone needs dock in the future, markdoane posted the single page documentation here.

I hope to get a good pressure test tomorrow.

John

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by 65CV

What remained of the gaucho, the aluminum pressure tank and Grover Compressor are out. The inside of the tank doesn't look bad -- needs a mild acid cleaning, but should be OK.

I pulled apart the compressor to clean it up. I couldn't find a picture of the guts on the forums, so I took one. It's a really simple design!

Motor is on the left, piston in the center and housing is on the right. To the right of the housing, from top to bottom are the check valve, filter (felt) and plug.

If someone needs dock in the future, markdoane posted the single page documentation here.

I hope to get a good pressure test tomorrow.

John

I'm still using the compressor like yours & the pressure system in my 59. Keep in mind that the aluminum tanks corrode out from the inside, I'm on my second one . Look at the bottom of the tank for small dots of corrosion & try poking at them with an awl. You might be surprised at what you find.
Colin

[utee94]

Ugh. Trailer restorers and their punch awls. No good can come of this.

Sounds like congratulations are in order and the addition of a grandchild! Break out the cigars and raise a glass!

[Colin H]

[QUOTE=utee94;1132797]Ugh. Trailer restorers and their punch awls. No good can come of this.

Ah come on Better to know your water tank has potential for leaks before you re-install it in your restored trailer, then to have the floor rot out again.
Colin

[65CV]

Originally Posted by Colin H

Better to know your water tank has potential for leaks before you re-install it in your restored trailer, then to have the floor rot out again.
Colin

Good news:
I read this right before going out with the awl and pressed a bit harder than I would have otherwise. I though for sure that I'd poke a hole in the tank, but it held up well. That little Grover Compressor works fine.

Bad news:
It leaks at the weld at the water supply fitting. Have to repair that before putting more than a few pounds of pressure on the tank.

John