Visit our Popular Forums

airpatton · 09-04-2013, 04:46 PM

Kay, that is on my to-do list. any tips or advice, pics or anything would be much appreciated. I have a mountain of stuff to do, but, it's a project of love. Thanks! KP

Minno · 09-05-2013, 09:35 AM

I checked our pics and don't have any in-process ones of spray painting. I used Rustoleum royal blue, royal red, and white for the spray painting. I used blue painters tape against the area I wanted to protect and painting mask paper out from that. I did it on a very still day also. There's not much overspray then, and I didn't have to re-strip other parts of the trailer! On the Sovereign emblem, I spray painted the whole thing as it's recessed, and then sanded off the paint from the flat face so that the paint remained in the recesses only. Paint thinner and q-tips took care of paint on raised areas of the other spots.

Kay

airpatton · 09-06-2013, 07:59 PM

That sounds nice! I know the videos on youtube were helpful too on redoing an airstream logo. When I get to this stage, I plan to take many pics. Tomorrow the plan is to jack the whole trailer up on blocks, remove the rest of the bellypan, maybe the axles and restoring the rusted/missing frames sections. I purchased a pneumatic rivet gun tonight and some other air tool accessories....so more fun begins! Thanks Kay for the helpful tips. Kevin

airpatton · 09-07-2013, 05:50 PM

Well, didn't get it put on blocks, but did spend the day working on exterior windows. Removing the old PO sealant was a bit of a chore. My 2 Titans were there all along, just for protection.
The caulk sealant remover worked like a charm...highly recommended....of course, it will remove the clearcoat, which in my case is fine, less for me later.
I'm only prepping the windows now, awaiting my order of silver vulkem to come in. More pics to come later.........happy streaming all!
Kevin

airpatton · 09-15-2013, 11:47 PM

More TLC to the windows inside and out. Took a rotary brush to the inside sashes and window insides as well, removing the pitting from years of neglect. I tinted the bathroom window, not sure if I will do all windows or not now. Removed the window catches, cleaned them, and reinstalled them with adjustments. The front square window was removed and I took apart the plexiglass portion and removed the old foam gasket that had disappeared and looked like mold. Will reinstall once I figure out what my plan is for the curved windows. My plan is to eventually get a bucking kit and redo some not so good Olympic rivets from a previous repair. More to come.....KP

airpatton · 11-08-2013, 06:35 PM

Redid the front window. The old foam had disintegrated. Replaced the old screws, cleaned it all up. Through kidney stones and a child in college, its been a slow process over the past months. I need to get a grey tank because it didn't come with one. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Inland RV Center, In · 11-09-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airpatton

Redid the front window. The old foam had disintegrated. Replaced the old screws, cleaned it all up. Through kidney stones and a child in college, its been a slow process over the past months. I need to get a grey tank because it didn't come with one. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gray tanks were not used by Airstream, unttil the 1974 models.

A gray tank can however be added.

A beginning point would be to obtain a 1974 "service manual".

That would help you understand what would need to be done in order to install that tank.

Or, you can add one yourself, but make yourself aware, of the various issues you will encounter, before you start the project.

Andy

airpatton · 11-23-2013, 06:13 AM

Up early and applying attempting around the windows. Love the small syringe, helps speed things along. Waiting for my polyshim ii to arrive so I can fix my vista views. More to come!

airpatton · 11-23-2013, 01:02 PM

And some more....compartment doors done as well as door and screen door. All windows are officially done, except for the vista views.

airpatton · 11-25-2013, 04:40 PM

And look what came in today! Can't wait till I can install those vistas soon!

airpatton · 11-29-2013, 09:36 PM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ml#post1386017

albert · 12-24-2013, 11:54 AM

Hi, can you explain what polyshim II is? And how do you apply it to vista views?

airpatton · 12-25-2013, 12:53 PM

Hello Albert. If you follow the link I previously posted, you can see many posts from those who have much more experience on Polyshim. From what I can see, the Polyshim is like a butyl tape, but it's controlled. There is a rubber shim within the middle which keeps the squishy substance from spreading out too far. That rubber shim can be ordered in different thicknesses. Allglassparts is a Canadian company. I couldn't find any company in the USA that you can buy it in single rolls. As far as application, my trailer is stripped. View my photos and view the other links from Red. I measured my spaces to show the widths. When you put it back together make sure you have a snug fit...this way you know that Polyshim is doing its job. Hope this helps, post pics of your progress!

albert · 12-26-2013, 08:03 AM

Thanks so much for that info.
Sooo, are you taking your vista view windows off and then applying this polyshim and reinstalling them?
Is there a solution if I don't choose the remove the windows? I have leaks for sure and don't know what method to use at this point. Thanks for your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by airpatton

Hello Albert. If you follow the link I previously posted, you can see many posts from those who have much more experience on Polyshim. From what I can see, the Polyshim is like a butyl tape, but it's controlled. There is a rubber shim within the middle which keeps the squishy substance from spreading out too far. That rubber shim can be ordered in different thicknesses. Allglassparts is a Canadian company. I couldn't find any company in the USA that you can buy it in single rolls. As far as application, my trailer is stripped. View my photos and view the other links from Red. I measured my spaces to show the widths. When you put it back together make sure you have a snug fit...this way you know that Polyshim is doing its job. Hope this helps, post pics of your progress!

airpatton · 12-26-2013, 08:09 AM

Yes, as you can see from my post, I removed the aluminum holding ring, plexiglass, and window. I removed the previous owners attempts at fixing these leaky beasts. From what I had read on prior threads, the Polyshim seems to work best for a permanent fix (maybe our lifetime?)

Ammunition · 09-03-2014, 02:12 PM

anybody know if he finished the restoration?

airpatton · 09-04-2014, 06:35 AM

Thanks Ammunition! and no, I haven't finished the restoration. After Christmas life just happened (college, cars and other cash sucking leeches). I have taken pics of my progress as things have slowed down recently. I've finished my welding and am starting to sand and paint the frame (no shell off for me).
This is a practical, cost effective rebuild that works around my budget and time. Thanks so much for checking in and good luck with your restoration! I've learned so much from so many on this forum, a great group of people here!
Kevin

airpatton · 09-05-2014, 06:26 PM

Here are some pics of what I've made and welded. The outriggers seemed to have suffered the most from rot. The back frame was gone! Fortunately, no separation.