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Phil17g · 08-13-2019, 10:57 PM

We finally got started on our restomod. It needs a ton of work. The majority of the outriggers are rotten but the frame seems pretty solid. I’m going to have a local steel company form some new ones from 14 gauge steel in a 10’ length and then use my plasma cutter and grinder to shape them. I ordered a gallon of Rust Encapslator Plus from Eastwood and plan to wire wheel the frame really good. I also will be replacing the C channel. Any input would be welcome! It’s going to be a long process but you can see my two helpers are looking forward to it! Thanks !

Argosy man · 08-14-2019, 03:16 AM

Good Luck on your project

The shell on that trailer is gorgeous- glad to see the trailer is being saved. I subscribed to follow your progress.

Shawn

coloradoup · 08-14-2019, 05:46 AM

I would suggest looking at Atomic's 1968 Tradewind twin Renovation. He built a new frame and from the looks of yours you may want to consider the same. It wasn't that much more work from what he said and you get a much better frame. Just a thought. Good luck and looking forward to watching it progress.

cole3444 · 08-14-2019, 07:19 AM

Just subscribed to your thread also, going through the same issues you are with the frame post pics often and good luck.

Trons4u · 08-14-2019, 11:35 AM

If you can have it done or do it yourself I would recommend that. I had mine done (24ft Tradewind) for $225. Then it's ready to paint. Looking forward to your progress.

Here's a before/after/painted

Phil17g · 08-14-2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trons4u

If you can have it done or do it yourself I would recommend that. I had mine done (24ft Tradewind) for $225. Then it's ready to paint. Looking forward to your progress.

Here's a before/after/painted

Wow! That seems crazy cheap... looks great!

Phil17g · 08-14-2019, 12:55 PM

The frame is mostly surface rust, it looks worse in the pictures. Im honestly surprised how flimsy it is. Then again with no floor or belly pans it loses a lot of structure/support

DGJackson · 08-14-2019, 05:04 PM

Is the front end of new frame is missing the straight rails that come to the front of the shell?

While you don't post a picture of the old fram looking from hitch to back. The A-Frame on the new frame appears to be missing this feature. This would provide support to front of shell.

Just looks strange compared to what I did to my '73.

bibbs · 08-14-2019, 07:58 PM

I am watching as well. Never did a frame off. Looks good so far.

Phil17g · 08-14-2019, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGJackson

Is the front end of new frame is missing the straight rails that come to the front of the shell?

While you don't post a picture of the old fram looking from hitch to back. The A-Frame on the new frame appears to be missing this feature. This would provide support to front of shell.

Just looks strange compared to what I did to my '73.

This should help

Trons4u · 08-15-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil17g

The frame is mostly surface rust, it looks worse in the pictures. Im honestly surprised how flimsy it is. Then again with no floor or belly pans it loses a lot of structure/support

It was pretty cheap and probably not the norm. I was lucky enough to run into someone that worked on a large ranch here and he offered to do it.

Taking it over to have sandblasted was fun. I first took off heading to the ranch that was about 7 miles away and it was like this old toy going down the road. Only made it around the block.

So I strapped a bunch of tires to the frame to add some weight and that worked for the most part

perryg114 · 08-15-2019, 09:34 AM

The frame does not look bad. Fix a few outriggers and POR15 the frame. A light wire brush is fine and make sure there is no grease. POR15 is good stuff but it won't come off your skin. It has to wear off. It is a tough coating. It likes rough textures to adhere to. If you make it too purdy it won't stick as well.

Perry

crispyboy · 08-15-2019, 09:56 AM

Now that's the way to restore a trailer!

Make sure you get the body tied down to earth so the wind doesn't take it away. You loose the body from a wind storm and your project can be sold for scrap!

I have used both POR15 and Eastwoods product. I like the POR 15 better. Since you have the frame separated I would spray it if possible. If you have never worked with these products before pay very close to the directions on how to apply the product as they are very specific and it does make a difference in the outcome of the project.
As a final thought I would be ready to spray paint the tongue the final finished color you want before the Eastwood Rust encapsulator or POR 15 dries (per directions). Otherwise the Eastwoods will cure extremely hard you will have to prep these surfaces again and chance the final finished paint getting a good bite into the surface. You will save a lot of future time and effort doing this.

I would plan on a good day to lay these several coats of paint once the surfaces are prepped (time between coats to flash dry).

perryg114 · 08-15-2019, 12:57 PM

The biggest thing with POR15 and other moisture cured paint is to not paint from the can and the stuff will solidify after you open the can in a short period of time. I have transferred it to smaller jars with some success. Use whatever leaves the can in about an hour.

Perry

Phil17g · 08-15-2019, 07:59 PM

The Eastwood Encapsulator plus will here tomorrow, so that’s a done deal lol. They have this aersol spray that has a two foot long nozzle that you can slide up inside the frame to coat the inside I got that as well. I ended up contacting a local shop for sandblasting he said $200 to blast, $100-150 to paint. I’m a big DIY guy, but sometimes you choose your battles. Lol. It’ll be a least two weeks before I make another step with my schedule. I love the input. Thanks!

Phil17g · 08-20-2019, 03:11 PM

Frame repair on the Airstream. Airstream wanted $32 a piece for each out rigger and I needed probably 14 making them well over $400. I opted to have a local shop take 14 gauge steel and bend it into a C channel then took my plasma cutter and cut the half circle on the end and squared up the other side with my chop saw. This cost me $100. I had Sam grind the slag off the frame while I fabricated the pieces and welded them on after squaring them up and using a long piece square stock to make sure they aligned up. Also Sam is my wife.. 🤩

dbj216 · 08-20-2019, 07:18 PM

Hello Phil17g: I was born and raised in Iowa. Lived there over 40 years. A great state in my view.

You don't mess around. The body of this old Sovereign does indeed look to be in good shape. You will make the frame good again and replace the rotted subfloor. Now you have "good bones" to build your "new" old Airstream.

A renovation of this magnitude will be spendy with all the stuff you will likely need. I'd budget $15k anyway. But still much cheaper than a new one.

I have a 75 Overlander that I'm in the latter stages of renovating. Nothing spectacular, but a good solid trailer the whole family can use. You might like taking a look at my "project thread" linked below. I didn't do a shell off, but I did do quite a bit of frame repairs. Check out Airstream Forums "Knowledge Base" toward the bottom of the Forums page. Click on Sovereign, then your model year. You will likely learn lots about your trailer there. You might even like to start a project thread so the rest of us can easily follow along your whole project. I think it is better that spreading out in the individual maintenance topics.

Here is my Overlander on it's maiden voyage last month after the renovation.

David

Phil17g · 08-20-2019, 08:22 PM

Hey dbj216,

We don’t enjoy Iowa, for the most part! That’s a nice looking Airstream you have there. I will definitely check out your project and move my thread to the Sovereign thread you suggested. I’m super new to any forum, so the input is welcomed. Thanks!

Iansk · 08-20-2019, 08:35 PM

Nice work on the out riggers, I did/am doing the same thing with mine.

Ian

dbj216 · 08-21-2019, 06:57 PM

You're most welcome Phil17g: Start a project thread and I'll follow along. We were all new at Airstream Forums at one time. There are lots of helpful folks on these Forums that help new members where they can.

I'm planning on helping a friend with his 76 Sovereign twin bed rear bath this winter. It has rear end separation like many of them do. We are not planning a body off project. But I imagine we will be doing some frame repairs. I hope it isn't buckled.

When you get your Sovereign done, you can load up and take off in any direction your hearts desire.

David