"Paulie" getting a makeover. 1972

[Swahealy]

Thanks Matt. Your work has kept me inspired.

Minno: if you happen to check in I was wondering where you bought your wheels. I saw 16" 6 hex bolt pattern on VTS. Wondering if those were the ones to get.


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[Swahealy]

Originally Posted by dbj216

Hi Swahealy. Are those "Airstream horizontal shocks"? If not, you're going to get a "what for" from Inland Andy!



Aircraft Stripper is the most powerful stripper. It's a harsh chemical, methanol chloride and others. But it works on most anything. You need the cans so you can brush it on, wait 15 minutes, then scrap off the residue, and then rinse and wipe dry. The brush on is rather gel like, which holds the chemical to the vertical surface better. It may take a second application in spots.



I tried Removal from Perfect Polish. It worked, but I found it could leave stains if left on too long. Removal is water based and safer.



You sure have a nice shop for your Sovereign project.



David

Colin Hyde swears the magnum shocks are the way to go. I often find myself trying to discern from various experts what is the best decision. Then I remember this is just a camper, not heart surgery, and then I just make a decision. Hope it was a good one.

Seems like the aircraft stripper will work with multiple applications. Coming off a lot slower and more difficult that I had anticipated. Sounds like my entire project so far.

Yes I am fortunate to have a good work space for now. But my company's patience is wearing thin. I need to keep moving so I can get Paulie out of there by March.


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[dbj216]

Colin knows what he's doing. You'll be fine. David

[Minno]

Chris says ours came from Inland RV, but are probably the same as VTSs. They are 6 lugs. Only problem we had with ours was keeping hubcaps on them until we finally found one that works. Apparently ours flex enough to pop baby moon style hubcaps off on a VERY regular (and expensive) basis!

Kay

[millertimeUS]

Update on this thread? Let's see some pics!


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

[Swahealy]

I am having difficulty attaching pictures. They are standard jpeg files from my I-Phone that I downloaded to my computer. I am using the browse feature after hitting the paperclip link and selecting a file then choosing upload. Any suggestions. I really want to update everyone on my progress.

[dbj216]

I have noticed that i-phone photos don't always display "normally" on Air Forums. We need some Apple guys to chime in on the best method.

David

[millertimeUS]

I use the airforums 'app' and it allows you to post your photos directly no transferring required.


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

[Swahealy]

Looks like Millertime's suggestion worked. Posting photos from the app and not my computer.
If it did you can see a picture of Mike hanging out the rear window of Paulie.

I would not be where I am today without his help. I jokingly call him "measure one cut twice Mike" because we have done so many things twice.

But we are making progress. So much that I got to try camping with her last weekend for my sons baseball tourney.

I think my last post was when we had gotten the shell back on.

Next picks here is starting to built out the interior. Never again would I start building the inside before I got the interior skins installed and painted. Kind of did it backwards but we were able to make sure we had all the electric wiring and tanks in the right place

You can sort of tell that we designed on the fly.

Toilet in last pic is not installed yet.

More to come soon.....


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[Minno]

Wow, good progress!

Kay

[Swahealy]

Thanks Kay.

Here you can tell the belly insulation is now in and beginning to install the belly pan.

You can also see I went with a tankless PrecisionTemp water heater

And I've begun to polish her up. HUGE PITA! But I'm determined to go that route.
I've got lift shocks under the bed platform and the makings of a head board.

I got my fresh water tank from Pelland Enterprises. Not the easiest item to find. Spent lots of time searching the web before I found the right size tank that would fit under the bed

I'll figure out a way to post my floor plan so you can better visualize my plan. I wanted a rear bedroom and shower and bath. Ended up putting the toilet and sink opposite the shower and will use pocket doors and or curtains to hide bathroom.

I found this really cool vinyl product that looks like metal for the shower walls. Super easy to work with. From a company called outwater plastics out of New Jersey. They have tons of cool products.

I'm planning on covering the shower bench with red glass tile and silver grout.


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[Swahealy]

Attached is my floor plan for Paulie.Paulie FLOOR PLAN.pdf

[dbj216]

Wow, ol Paulie is getting a REAL make over. You are making great progress. I agree polishing is a pain. But Paulie will be glamourous when done. He likes the garage he is in also. Too many bad storms outside. He fears hail and falling tree branches, nightmares about it.

David

[Swahealy]

Does my floor plan open? It's a PDF format


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[Swahealy]

Primer coat

Trying to show what I did for the under belly.
Below the belt line I decided to prime and paint with a rubberized spray paint
I wanted to darken the bottom to just fade away and highlight the blue LED lights I strung on the bottom of the belly pan.


Finish coat

Final look with lights


Not Vintage but the look I am going for.



First camping outing for Paulie! Not done but dry camp worthy.

Keep chomping away.....in the words of millertime.


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[Swahealy]

Got my shower bench tiled up. Red glass mosaic tile. Expensive ($120) for 10 SF delivered but in keeping with my design.



It looks great.


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[Minno]

What are you using for grout?

Kay

[Swahealy]

Hi Kay:
any trips to the Region planned this summer? I used a non-sanded acrylic grout. I am hoping it won't crack

[Minno]

I hope it works ok.
We aren't traveling through your neck of the woods any time too soon. Chris got a new job in June, so no vacation available for awhile.

Kay

[Shapmaui]

Swahealy (or sawhealy...after all the work you have done..)- AMAZING and awesome at all the support others have given you along the way, is all I can think to say.

I just bought an original 1973 Sovereign 31' last week.
I am now verrry afraid that I may have overlooked checking out the frame- since I cant see any part of it because the belly skin has it hidden. I read your posts from the beginning, and saw that someone suggested getting up on the rear box, and bouncing on it to look for separation. I will do that today. Is there any way to look into the interior to see what my floor may look like, or the frame? Or are there any other tests I can do? I am a little afraid to take it on the road now with my family at this point. How can I tell if its road worthy? Two kids 9 and 12...their safety is my #1 concern. The PO told me he hadnt used it all that much in the past 2.5 years. But the PO before him, had replumbed everything with pex etc.. as he was a master plumber- so I hope he looked at the rig carefully...? Oy.