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01-21-2013, 03:58 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 252
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Louvered Aluminum Vented Doors
Does anybody have suggestions for where to get louvered polished aluminum panels for venting the fridge? VTS has some that are too small, and Inland RV has one for $37, which I would need to add a hinge and lock to. Does anybody know of a place to get various sizes in polished aluminum for a reasonable price?
Thanks!
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01-21-2013, 05:00 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Currently Looking...
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,112
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There are any number of race car fabrication shops in and around Indy that probably do panels while you wait. Also check with hot rod builders and speed shops in your area for the names of guys with louver punches. My brother and I have our own punch and do more than a few RV access doors for locals.
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01-22-2013, 12:10 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 252
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Thanks! Any chance you would be willing to do two doors for a non-local?
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01-22-2013, 02:14 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
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Just a word of caution: we had our fridge hatch door louvered on our '72. However, the aluminum skin is quite hard, and does not stretch very well. Every louver has a small crack on each side. Fortuantily, the cracks do not seem to affect the structural integrity of the louvers, and you need to be really close to see them. I tried experimenting with filling them, and vulkum makes them disappear completely, but I have not removed the plasti-coat/clear coat or tried to polish it at all. You can see a picture of it here in post 280:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...-50967-20.html
No idea if the door skins on your '62 would handle being louvered better or not. Even with the small cracks, I'm happy I did it.
If you want a close-up of the cracks, let me know.
Chris
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01-22-2013, 02:23 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Currently Looking...
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno
Just a word of caution: we had our fridge hatch door louvered on our '72. However, the aluminum skin is quite hard, and does not stretch very well. Every louver has a small crack on each side. Fortuantily, the cracks do not seem to affect the structural integrity of the louvers, and you need to be really close to see them. I tried experimenting with filling them, and vulkum makes them disappear completely, but I have not removed the plasti-coat/clear coat or tried to polish it at all. You can see a picture of it here in post 280:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...-50967-20.html
No idea if the door skins on your '62 would handle being louvered better or not. Even with the small cracks, I'm happy I did it.
If you want a close-up of the cracks, let me know.
Chris
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It sounds like there may have been some die alignment issues. The door panels and hood are both aluminum. Sorry, We don't deal with shipping as the freight and crating ended up costing more than the job price.
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01-22-2013, 02:26 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1960 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 25' Safari
Avonton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,331
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aluminitus
Does anybody have suggestions for where to get louvered polished aluminum panels for venting the fridge? VTS has some that are too small, and Inland RV has one for $37, which I would need to add a hinge and lock to. Does anybody know of a place to get various sizes in polished aluminum for a reasonable price?
Thanks!
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Saw this just today on David Winick's site.
vintage airstream and other classic travel trailers
__________________
Doug & Terry
VAC - TAC ON-1
60 Ambassador Int.
1950 Spartan
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01-22-2013, 05:17 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 252
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Thanks for the info. I think I found a company on e-bay that may be able to make what I need out of non alclad aluminum.
Denis - Beautiful work! I figured it was worth a try
Shacksman - Maybe I can just buy David Winick and have him finish my trailer! His work is truly heirloom quality.
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02-15-2013, 07:30 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 252
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Fridge Access Door - The Outcome
Here's an update. I used the standard aluminum door that is made by the company that we will buy the fridge from. I took it out of the frame, polished the frame, sandblasted the door, then sanded it with 400 grit sandpaper, then used nuvite on it, riveted it back onto the frame and installed it. It isn't perfect, but for a $13 door I am pretty pleased.
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03-22-2013, 10:31 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
St. Albans
, Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 308
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Looks fantastic! Where did you get your $13 dollar aluminum door frame? It looks like a lot of work to get rid of the white, but SO worth it!
__________________
https://1960airstreamtradewind.blogspot.com
Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse... but you take a boat in the air that you don't love... she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds.
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03-22-2013, 07:11 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1962 24' Tradewind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 252
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Thanks 2vets! I got the door through my father in law's RV business, and I think he ordered it through Norcold/Thetford.
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