Visit our Popular Forums

coloradoup · 03-28-2022, 07:48 PM

All ready for the final flip. The second axel was installed as well as the main propane line, I'll cut in the T's later, the access panel for the cable/drain valve for the grey water. I also finished up the spare tire area.

Today I actually dropped the shell back on the frame and am working on getting everything lined up.

LLninja · 03-29-2022, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradoup

All ready for the final flip. The second axel was installed as well as the main propane line, I'll cut in the T's later, the access panel for the cable/drain valve for the grey water. I also finished up the spare tire area.

Today I actually dropped the shell back on the frame and am working on getting everything lined up.

Where did you get your axles and what capacity/type did you get?

dbj216 · 03-29-2022, 06:22 PM

The final flip is always a good thing. Man, manhandling that heavy, awkward frame seems a bit scary to me. Don't let it flip over on your leg. Work safe.

I take note that there is no snow in your driveway. We have another March snowstorm going on now. 3" so far, and maybe 8" by morning. I'll be flipping snow off my driveway tomorrow.

David

coloradoup · 03-30-2022, 08:32 PM

LL Ninja, they were called AA wheel and truck Supply in North Kansas City. The Axel capacity was 3500, 22.5 degree down. Let me know if you need more info. It was around $1,500 for the pair.

David, we did get some severe weather last night, enough to get me to cover my trailer with a large tarp and some pads. Potential hail but that missed us.

coloradoup · 05-02-2022, 05:39 PM

It's good to have the shell back on the TW. You never really know how things are going to line up, especially after building a new frame. Replaced a bit more exterior skin and only have a few more pieces to go.

coloradoup · 05-02-2022, 06:11 PM

In order to replace the skin on the door side I had to remove the door hinge. I couldn't get to the rivets without removing the door. This requires the removal of the hinge pin. There is some info out there on the size and strength of the steel rod needed to remove this, Don't recall the specs on it but if someone needed I could dig around for it. It's a bit intimidating but doable. The hard part was finding the correct size rivets to go back in.

The link was posted by David from Colorado. Not sure I got it right but this may be it.

Removing a Single Hinge Door - Vintage Airstream

http://vintageairstream.com/removing...le-hinge-door/

coloradoup · 05-02-2022, 06:18 PM

Took my old wheels off and used a rust remover to kill all the rust, there was plenty! Then primed and painted them with some Rust-oleum rattle can rust kill paint. I actually purchased new wheels from Vintage as well as some new Good Year endurance tires but will keep those in my basement while it sits between uses.

dbj216 · 05-02-2022, 07:15 PM

Well, well, you have been busy. Much more so than me. It is great you have the body back on your new frame successfully. I bet there was some sleepless nights worrying if it will fit up okay. It looks like an Airstream now. And replacing exterior skins is no easy task either. Lots of rivets to buck. Removing the door is a big job too. You're getting all kinds of vintage Airstream experiences.

Nice your trailer has "house slippers" for home and "travel shoes" for trips.

Keep up the good work.

David

LLninja · 05-03-2022, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradoup

Took my old wheels off and used a rust remover to kill all the rust, there was plenty! Then primed and painted them with some Rust-oleum rattle can rust kill paint. I actually purchased new wheels from Vintage as well as some new Good Year endurance tires but will keep those in my basement while it sits between uses.

I plan on doing the same, rust oleum rust preventer followed by a couple coats of deep purple (my wife’s favorite color…daring to be different shying away from Airstream blue).

steinVT · 05-06-2022, 04:26 AM

I don't know how I have missed your thread for so long. We have gone along similar paths and now have trailers in about the same level of completeness. This is the first time I have seen anyone else use PVC for the outriggers. Works great doesn't it?

Anyway you are doing a great job and are going to have a fantastic trailer when you are done. Basically a new Airstream. Nice job on the belly pan too. Much better than my attempts on the corners.

Looing forward to following along - Mark

coloradoup · 05-06-2022, 10:43 PM

Thanks Mark,
To be honest, it helps living next door to Atomic 13, He gives me a lot of tips. I would have never even started this journey if it wasn't for his wonderful work on his 68 TW. I was looking at picking up an SOB but after seeing his trailer come together i was sold. Your work as well as many others has kept me going and although I am pretty good with my hands, it takes a lot of input from all the great people on this sight. I wouldn't be brave enough to do it without everyone else. Thanks to all that have come before me and the people that follow keeping these old classics going!

coloradoup · 05-16-2022, 07:55 PM

Replaced what I hope is the last panel. The lower door panel was dented and in need of replacement. I also tried polishing the rear street side upper segment. The creases are still visible as well as some of my poor English wheeling marks. Still thinking of having one made from a pro metal working guy but then again, this may just be good enough.

dbj216 · 05-17-2022, 06:30 PM

Judging from your photos, it is "goot enuf". Sheetmetal work is most difficult, and your forming of an upper rear corner panel is impressive. You are well along in your renovation. Soon the fun stuff called "interior build" will begin, and that is truly enjoyable. I always consider Airstream experts in designing comfort in a small space. It is not easy to make all our wants fit in a small space. I'm sure your plans will work out just fine.

David

coloradoup · 06-10-2022, 06:21 PM

As part of the process of keeping this thing from having too many leaks in the future I am touching up all my seams with Acryl_R. The process goes pretty quick with a bit of taping and the cleanup is minimal. I used Xylene for the cleanup. It's pretty toxic on the hands.

coloradoup · 06-10-2022, 06:27 PM

Next on the sealing process will be Capt. Tolley's creeping crack cure on all the rivets.

Bubba L · 06-10-2022, 06:31 PM

Way to go. We used Xylene with Parbond silver and taped the joints as you did. It cleans up well and taping the joints sure makes cleanup neat. We also use paint thinner for various caulking touch ups. Your method works really well.

coloradoup · 06-10-2022, 06:39 PM

I have made two passes so far with the Zephyr system. I will do the last after I finish with all my sealing. This is by far the dirtiest thing I've done on this trailer remodel. Even with the full mask this Zephyr system covers you with dust form the polishing. It takes a bit of dawn and some good scrubbing to make it go away. It's a lot faster than the traditional flat polishing wheel but again it's quite dirty.

dbj216 · 06-10-2022, 06:46 PM

What is the Zephyr system of polishing? I certainly the Nuvite process with a wool bonnet and Cyclo using F7 and S grades of Nuvite. And I did my Overlander with the Caswell buffing wheels and black as well as white polish. Both process are rather dirty, but buffing is dirtier in my view. But I've never heard of Zephyr. Must be a Kansas City secret.

David

coloradoup · 06-14-2022, 09:22 PM

David it's that system where you use the edge of the wheel rather than the flat portion like normal. I works fast but if you aren't really consistent you get missed spots and you can't tell until you wipe it clean. I find it rather dificult

dbj216 · 06-15-2022, 06:02 PM

Thanks: It sounds a little like using a sewn buffing wheel that is 1" wide and 10" in diameter. The small "foot print" of the buffing wheel on the aluminum with the polish provides aggressive action. I don't recommend the buffing process on Alclad as it is easy to burn off the alclad pure aluminum coating.

David