Junebug... 1963 Globe Trotter

[redthies]

Aw crap... Here we go again...

[Hittenstiehl]

Ohhh, nice. That couch orientation is nice versus the street side kitchen.

[dbj216]

You have a knack for vintage Airstreams following you home. Looks like a 16', at least smaller than the Junebug. Maybe it is a Ladybug? Airstream used those "travel lounges" a lot in the sixties as they served as a sitting area and as a sleeping surface. Was a good idea in my mind.

David

[redthies]

“Peanut” is a ‘67 Caravel 17 foot. We bought it from the original owners who bought a new one in 2016. It’s got a fresh axle and fairly new fridge and stove. We are trying to keep this a “minimal” redo for now so we can use it until Junebug is done. It’s very hard to just do a bit, as the more you look, the more you want to do. Flooring, paint cabinets and new counters and upholstery is as far as we want to go right now. We will probably offer it up to customers to buy for a full rebuild once JB is in service.

It looks at least $2000 better since I took the crap off the bumper!

[dbj216]

Did you tip the Caravel on its side so you could clean underneath? David

[redthies]

Nah, took the corner into the back yard a bit fast. It’s up on its wheels again now!

[redthies]

So lots of changes in life… We moved our home and shop 7 hours away to a new property which meant taking an 85 year old house to the studs, building a new shop and about 20,000 miles of driving back and forth.

We sold the Caravel after the trip we planned for it was canceled (again). It turned out pretty good for a quick redo.

[redthies]

I have managed to get Junebug closer to ready for her date with our polisher. I have another couple of days to put in before that, but the shop build is a priority with fall here.

Couple of small panel replacements, partial rib, new axle, and a stove refresh. The one side is a bit wrinkled, but on a 60 year old trailer, I don’t mind a bit of character.

[dbj216]

Hello Redthies: It's been over a year since we have heard from you. Sounds like you have been very busy and making life better. Your renovated Caravel looks great as usual. Your Globetrotter stove looks great too. But the rest of the trailer needs more work. But first things first as you always do.

I finished our 69 Globetrotter and now we are trying to sell it. We don't have as many Airstreams as you do in your herd, but three is a crowd for us. I think it turned out okay. You can read all about it on Airstream Classifieds.

David

[redthies]

Originally Posted by dbj216

But the rest of the trailer needs more work.

Tell me something I don’t know!

[dbj216]

Hi: My last name is Johnson You didn't know that. David

[redthies]

Update time… Junebug is off site at our polishers and should be shiny as can be in a few weeks. We’ve been slammed with building the new shop, house, and customer trailers so she’s been kind of ignored for a long while. I’m hoping the polish job is the start of a focused time that sees her done and camp ready before fall. Time will tell if I can find the extra hours to get her done this year.

[redthies]

Pics from the drive to polishville:

[dbj216]

Welcome back to something more calming that your hard work madhouse. I'm sure your new digs will inspire all sorts of Airstream activity.

Junebug will come back all shinny. Maybe you can recommend a good polished aluminum corrosion preventative so Junebug, and my Globetrotter, don't get all dull grey again. Polishing every year gets a bit tiresome.

David

[redthies]

You shouldn’t need to do it every year. Our 34’ hasn’t been touched in 3 years and still looks like it was done last month.

I asked my polisher about a coating the other day when we were handing over a clients trailer and he said there wasn’t any product he would recommend. Where do you store your trailer when it’s not in use? It’s better under a roof of course, but definitely not under a tarp or cover.

[dbj216]

Thanks for the reply redthies: We store our 3 Airstreams in my "shop" that is heated in the winter. But I was unfortunate to pull our 34' polished Limited over Vail pass on I-70 while it was 35 degrees and snowing. The highway was wet with deicer likely still leftover from the long winter. My trailer was really corroded from that. But even rain water and other contaminants can spot the polished aluminum.

I agree with your assessment. I haven't found any product that can be applied to highly polished aluminum that doesn't subtract from the "reflectivity", or mirror like finish. I now try to apply what I think might work to a mirror. If I lose reflectivity, than I know not to use it. Automotive waxes are an example.

I wonder what those vintage polished aluminum aircraft use to preserve their polished aluminum?

David

[redthies]

Originally Posted by dbj216

But I was unfortunate to pull our 34' polished Limited over Vail pass on I-70 while it was 35 degrees and snowing. The highway was wet with deicer likely still leftover from the long winter.

I wonder what those vintage polished aluminum aircraft use to preserve their polished aluminum?

There is a salt neutralizing spray that you can get (I’ll look up the brand name) that our polisher gave me when I delivered the ‘61 Bambi we finished in March. You put the garden hose on the bottle and spray down the trailer. It gets rid of any salt residue.

Those vintage planes use a big can of elbow grease to keep them shiny!

[dbj216]

I have a big can of that elbow grease on the shelf. But it is so expensive. I just looking for something cheaper to protect against corrosion of shiny aluminum sheet.

David

[redthies]

https://www.amazon.com/SALTS-GONE-GO...s%2C357&sr=8-3


That’s the product we use. You need to spray it on before the salt starts to eat at the polish.

[dbj216]

Thanks redthies: The road deicers "salt" do raise havoc with a polished Airstream.

I tried Sharkhide and I think it is a very good product, but not designed for a polished aluminum Airstream. It diminishes the shine quite a bit.

So I now have tried Flitz ceramic sealant that is like a wax but clear. Just spray it on and wipe it off. Folks even put it on their windshields. It won't last like Sharkhide, but it should make it easier to wipe off water spots or road grime. We shall see.

And of course, there is always the elbow grease that works every time.

David