1970 Mobile Office/Studio Restoration

[RM66caravel]

It all really depends on exactly what you want you can make new using aluminum but if you want it painted it will cost quite a bit but I can find the vinyl wall pieces you need from a salvage source. As for ugly the vinyl it will hold paint of a less expensive variety. I have 6 grandchildren that are fascinated with their reflection and I have no desire to spend a lot of time wiping away finger prints. I like the prodex because it has a foam core and it is pretty easy to work with. In the frame area foam board only I covered the frame with bed liner and coated the plywood with thompsons water seal.
Thanks for listening
Cliff

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by RM66caravel

It all really depends on exactly what you want you can make new using aluminum but if you want it painted it will cost quite a bit but I can find the vinyl wall pieces you need from a salvage source. As for ugly the vinyl it will hold paint of a less expensive variety. I have 6 grandchildren that are fascinated with their reflection and I have no desire to spend a lot of time wiping away finger prints. I like the prodex because it has a foam core and it is pretty easy to work with. In the frame area foam board only I covered the frame with bed liner and coated the plywood with thompsons water seal. Thanks for listening Cliff

My friends parents have an '05 airstream and I love the look of it's aluminum only inner shell, I don't mind the fingerprints at all... What does that thickness have to be?

So do you only have to use Prodex? No foam board or other type of insulation?

As for the frame/floor area I'm following the guide on vintage air streams to replace the floor, I have a feeling I won't have to drop the belly pan - it looks pretty good compared to some others, but I'll find out once the floor is up.

Thanks for all of the help Cliff - others, feel free to chime in

[jmlabs]

After looking into some sound-deadening solutions for normal recording studios, I've decided it might be good for me to try and add a material such as Roxul (used in recording studios everywhere) as well as the reflectix.

So it would be:
[Outer Shell][Reflectix][Roxul][Inner Shell][Sound Absorption/Diffusion Materials]

Does anyone object to this? It may add some weight but I don't think it would be a significant difference between that and the original fiberglass. I will double-check to make sure.

I should mention that Roxul is fire-retardant and vapor resistant, and also is much better than fiberglass at deterring rodents (also better for the environment). Seems like a win-win to me.

[RM66caravel]

Sounds good try it if it works then you will have knowledge that others can use!
Cliff

[jmlabs]

Cliff, Thanks for replying. I think I'm going to try it! It will be a while before I get to that phase but at least I've got a solid plan!

I'm trying to make a list if how much it will cost me to get the floor re-done, the AS re-insulated and electrical wiring re-done so I have a good idea on how much I'll be spending before adding the inner shell on again.

Also, I really really appreciate all of your help, how do I get more people commenting on my thread and offering their knowledge? The more minds the better!

[Goal15]

So, blue shirt guy, unless I missed it you named your entire posse but not yourself.

As to more folks commenting on your thread, as the great James Earl Jones once said "Oh people will come Ray, they will mist definately come." So to will other commenters!

Dana

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by Goal15

So, blue shirt guy, unless I missed it you named your entire posse but not yourself. As to more folks commenting on your thread, as the great James Earl Jones once said "Oh people will come Ray, they will mist definately come." So to will other commenters! Dana

Haha thanks for the reply. Forum motivation is the best, it's what helped me stay alive while restoring my 1991 CRX.

The name is Julien, I'll make sure to add that in the first post.

Updates to come!

[Goal15]

While we don't have a vintage AS, and as such won't be able to offer much technical advice, will be following with more than a cursory interest because our oldest son is a senior web designer with a firm here in Dallas, but is also a singer-songwriter who, among, other things, co-founded Listen Local in DC before returning to Texas

Dana

[Wayne&Sam]

Photos are good, but smaller files are better. This thread takes a while to load and could get worse as you add more photos.

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by Goal15

While we don't have a vintage AS, and as such won't be able to offer much technical advice, will be following with more than a cursory interest because our oldest son is a senior web designer with a firm here in Dallas, but is also a singer-songwriter who, among, other things, co-founded Listen Local in DC before returning to Texas

Dana

Cool! There are some absolutely wonderful web firms in Texas, maybe when this is all done I can take a trip down there and record some of his music for him! I've been doing recording for almost 6 years now...

@Wayne&Sam,

I will try and upload smaller resolution photos from now on, there are tons, and my iPhone takes such HUGE photos. Some of them I think need to be big for detail but most of them probably don't. Thanks for bringing that up.

I can't seem to figure out how to edit the old posts on my computer...

Got a few updates for you guys today, I picked up some sweet Airstream gear on Craigslist! Gimme a few hours to get some time to put some photos up.

On a side note, I launched my new Company's website yesterday. JM Labs will be an official LLC as of the first of next year. Once the Airstream gets closer it will have it's own place on the site... Check it out: JM Labs | Web Development

Oh hey, in general should I be asking technical questions here or in their respective threads, ie. electrical advice. (if I can't find my answers in the search of course)

[crabbey1]

Welcome! You are in for a ride my friend. I started a full restoration back in May. I am still finalizing all the final touches... It is fun, expensive and an excellent learning opportunity. Good luck.

You can ask questions in here, but you might get quicker answers in the respective forums...

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by crabbey1

Welcome! You are in for a ride my friend. I started a full restoration back in May. I am still finalizing all the final touches... It is fun, expensive and an excellent learning opportunity. Good luck. You can ask questions in here, but you might get quicker answers in the respective forums...

Sounds like the ride I was looking for! I doubt I will be done as quickly as you but who knows?

Thanks for the tip. I'll have lots of electrical questions so I might just post a desperate thread over there if I can't find answers with my search.

[crabbey1]

There are some very knowledgeable people on here. I rewired my entire electrical system from the advice on here and a book called RV Electrical Systems. Pick up a copy. It is technical but very helpful.

[jmlabs]

Alrighty everyone! Thanks for hanging in there with my updates. Yesterday I went on Craigslist and found 9 Airstream wheel covers, all in varying condition. The guy drove a 1969 overlander I think... Anyways, he sold me all of the wheel covers for $20. He also sold me some "outrigger mirrors" as he called them. I did some quick research and figured for another $20 it couldn't hurt. Here are some pictures:





As For Progress, my friends have all been finishing up this semester's finals so I haven't had much help. I'm also pretty busy with work myself so this month is probably going to go slow. That's fine anyways because my company won't be an LLC until next year. That's when I can start spending the money!

I'm a little worried about how much I'll have to spend before I can actually put the inner skin back on. I have decided put back the first layer of paneling (by the floor) because I'd like to paint it, and the paneling is all in pretty decent condition. Everything above that (and the ends) will be re-done with aluminum, kind of like some of the newer airstreams. Not too shiny but not painted.

That said, I need to figure out:
- electrical
- heating/ac
- leaks
- windows
- desk bracing
- the list goes on...

before I can actually put that inner skin back on. On top of that, I'm also going to have to re-do the plywood floor and floor insulation.

I am happy to report, however, that the belly skin is in almost perfect condition - except for the by the rear bathroom area, which will need some patching. At least I won't have to do the whole thing!!!

To those who have done this before, what is the best plan of action? Do I need to start buying AC stuff? Breaker boxes? Floor plans first?

More questions to come. Stay tuned.

- Julien

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by crabbey1

There are some very knowledgeable people on here. I rewired my entire electrical system from the advice on here and a book called RV Electrical Systems. Pick up a copy. It is technical but very helpful.

I've noticed this place is perfect forum to get some good advice, and once I can figure out using the search to it's best abilities I'll be even better.

I'm going to try and see if I can find a used copy of the book, I don't normally buy stuff from 1995 if it's about anything in the tech realm but I guess at the same time my trailer is from 1970 ha! Thanks for the recommendation.

Do you have a thread? I couldn't seem to find one.

[jmlabs]

Just a small update! I bought my TV!

As per CanAm's recommendation based on my lifestyle and needs outside of the towing world, I picked out an awesome 2006 BMW 325xi Wagon. 1 owner, 50,000 miles. Great car and I got it for an amazing deal!

At first you're like "how the hell is that going to pull the airstream" but in Europe the tow specs are actually within limits and then you get behind the wheel of this thing: plenty of power, stable as hell, safe, badass brakes, and an outstanding 6 speed AT with a manual mode.



I'm confident that once my custom hitch and trans cooler is installed I'm going to be one happy "camper" (haha)

When it's not towing the AS it's a perfect car for me to meet clients in, stuff the dog in the back, the bikes on top, and go through corners in these mountains.

As for the AS, it's still stripped and waiting for the electrical redo. I just signed another big development contract with one of my biggest clients so I'll have some capital to spend on getting this thing ready and on the road. My CPA was excited to hear about my project and thinks the mobile office is an awesome idea.

I'm also doing some floor plans now so I hope to have those up at some point.

Until then, have a good one!

- Julien

[John&Vicki]

Hi Julien...

Following this thread with interest. I love your enthusiasm and initiative. I have a '90 Excella that is intact and in nice condition but I'm looking forward to learning more in case I need to dig into it at some point. There are some really awesome threads here on restoring Airstreams - you shouldn't have problem finding them with your background.

Interesting to read that tech books from 1995 don't have any value. Makes me feel old though as I started one of the first Internet marketing firms in 1995. Had a nice run (coined the term Search Engine Optimization along the way) and eventually sold it when it was too big be fun (100 employees). Sent you a LinkedIn invite.

Cheers,
Poppy

[crabbey1]

Originally Posted by jmlabs

Do you have a thread? I couldn't seem to find one.

No I never kept an official thread on here. I instead decided to make good time with my restoration. I did however keep an informal photo record of my journey on Facebook. You can see that here.

[jmlabs]

Just wanted to post this:

[jmlabs]

Originally Posted by crabbey1

No I never kept an official thread on here. I instead decided to make good time with my restoration. I did however keep an informal photo record of my journey on Facebook. You can see that here.

Looked it over. Great photos. Thanks for the link!