1984 Airstream 345 owner (Newbie) need advice!

[Keyair]

Got to work on the first Grill bar... I think its the upper..

The cast surface is very crusty...


Got it unbolted and on the bench..

Started with half the bar as a test.
Hit it with a DA sander with 180g then 220g, and it was looking better.
The upper bar has a 45deg above and below it running off the main suraface. The lower bar only has the 45 on the upper edge.
These were painted black, and only the forward facing surface was polished on ours.
I have decided to polish that too, and move the black painted areas back one surface to give the grill and more 3 dimensional look...



Test polish was ok, but not great...


You can see the 45 deg I mentioned better here..



Went back and wet sanded the whole thing with 800g, then repolished..
Much better... but had to stop an my bench buffer was getting hot and smelly... I think its on its last legs!

[Keyair]

[wxbuoy]

Nice. so how much to u charge and where do we ship it too .

[Keyair]

LOL...
It must be easy if I can do it!

Trying to get the center part and lower bar seperated today, but the bolts are in bad shape... looks like I am getting the grinder out, as PB Blaster overnight failed me...

Missed some more pics of upper...


This pic you can see the little 45 deg that was painted before, that I decided to strip and buff...

[Keyair]

Had to cut the bolts off to seperate the lower from the center grill.

Sanded out the crud, working down to 800g wet,
and got it polished up.


Got is painted up, just need to clean up some ragged paint edges..


Look at the comparison between restored upper bar and untouched lower..

[STstudios]

Wow - great job!!!

[wxbuoy]

Incredible!!

[Keyair]

Thanks Peeps!

As I said, its a casting and as such just wont seem to buff out as nice, but its good for now.
Just need to get the lower bar done now but there have been distractions aplenty..

We had a water leak in the house in the ceiling above the kitchen... huge tear out and refurbish, and now they have to replace all the wood flooring on the ground floor

[crazeevw]

Wish I could come to CA and do your wood flooring in exchange for a polish job on my 345......lol
Derek

[Keyair]

Too late Derek!

So the house flooring is almost done...
What is interesting and I felt worth posting here is what it is..
This flooring is Vinyl plank, and is a recent innovation.
Its made by Metroflor, and is called Engage.

Not the thin self stick stuff, its thick, waterproof and needs no underlay.
It also seems to be warmer to the touch than the laminate was.
It wont absorb water, and so I am considering it for the MH.
Only down side is it is dense, and therefore, heavy.. I weighed one of the cartons with 10 planks(24sqft) and it was 47lb!

Ignore the disarray, and dust... this is how it looks...


ENGAGE BRINGS IT ALL HOME - Residential

[wxbuoy]

Thanks for the info! Just ordered some samples. I have been getting mixed messages of what to put down. I have been told that you can't do laminates in a MoHo/trailer and the vinyl don't look to great, I am a bit concerned with the wieght. Will need to see what the additional weight will be.

[Keyair]

Thats why I posted it.
We got the Burned Hickory, as it matched our furniture.
The stuff is pretty amazing to look at, looks like aged wood, with saw marks, shakes and nail holes etc. You would never know! There must be several variations of plank, as it looks totally random.
The weight is the only concern. Derak and I agreed its about 90/100sqft if you did from cockpit back. I was thinking only from the entrace door to the bedroom, as I like to have carpet in the bedroom and living area.

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Thanks for the info! Just ordered some samples. I have been getting mixed messages of what to put down. I have been told that you can't do laminates in a MoHo/trailer and the vinyl don't look to great, I am a bit concerned with the wieght. Will need to see what the additional weight will be.

Marmoleum is what I am putting in my moho. The carpet was so disgusting. I am leaving carpeting in the driver/passenger/doghouse area but it will be automotive type not shag......the bathroom carpeting was too terrible to talk about. I want to use throw rugs that I can take out and wash......just need to fix a place to hold down the dog when traveling.....haven't figured that out yet. paula

PS: Marmoleum is a linseed based non gassing product or so I have been told.

[SteSpot]

Yours looks great......p

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

I want to use throw rugs that I can take out and wash.

We do the same. Most R.V. parks cannot handle rugs, so we hit a commercial laundry and air dry them, if possible.

[wxbuoy]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Marmoleum is what I am putting in my moho. The carpet was so disgusting. I am leaving carpeting in the driver/passenger/doghouse area but it will be automotive type not shag......the bathroom carpeting was too terrible to talk about. I want to use throw rugs that I can take out and wash......just need to fix a place to hold down the dog when traveling.....haven't figured that out yet. paula

PS: Marmoleum is a linseed based non gassing product or so I have been told.

Unfortunately DH isn't a marmoleum type of girl . I love it. SO you can guess what we are going to get.... Actually if I was single the only thing I would change is the oil!

[Keyair]

Well, the floor guys are gone, leaving me to clean up a little and wait for Monday when they are coming to instal baseboards and finish the painting.
Tomorrow I will post some better pics...

[Keyair]

I think this pic shows it off better...

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

I think this pic shows it off better...

Nice crisp lines, looks good. Is this the room you first go in after a day of polishing ?

[streamquest]

Based on my polishing experience, the first room you go to is usually the outside hose by the garage, and hopefully the neighbors aren't looking!