1959 18 footer Globester panel replacement

[twolanehwy]

Thanks for the advice all..much appreciated.

Got the front window out and corner panel fitted. Man once you remove that window ther is like one rivet holding thin framing together on that side. I need toget that corner panel bucked down to stiffen up window area opening. Then I need toreplace the one above it as it has some buckles in that won't smooth out.
It's tough wrestling those corners by yourself. It's gonna be many more to come. I'll have to take the door off when I do the curbside side panel. I have uppers , lowers, both sides so I need more clecos unless I stick to one at a time.

Got my weather strip from VTS today. All windows need to come out.

[rugjenkins]

That looks awesome!

[twolanehwy]

well today I got more clecos and removed all Hehr windows and am in process of putting temp holders in openings. Also decided to take them apart and replace with tempered tinted glass. I have new gaskets from VTS and will polih pieces whilst apart.

Also took out second panel next to front window and goes back to door.
I went to flatten it out to cut a new piece...Oh No! It appears it was made on English wheel as it has two contours, vertical and horizontal. Its hard to imagine they did that in production. Could it be it was flat and after 56 years took on these contours?
OMG the plot thickens.

[HiHoAgRV]

Yup. Those are drawn segments. Only the 13 panel trailers are flat.

[twolanehwy]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

Yup. Those are drawn segments. Only the 13 panel trailers are flat.

so what is the approach? I'm pretty sure they would have to be handmade right?

[Jim Foster]

You might look for another trailer as a donor. One that is beyond restoration.
End caps of a given year are usually the same no matter the length. Sometimes the same from year to year.
I don't know what others would be the same as yours, but someone will know. Perhaps someone at Jackson Center could help. Some of those folks have been with Airstream a very long time.


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[Jim Foster]

Another thought......
Contact Luke Bernander in Denver. Luke works on vintage Airstreams. He may be of help.


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[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by twolanehwy

so what is the approach? I'm pretty sure they would have to be handmade right?

Depending on how badly damaged it is, it might be fixed (or at least improved) by someone experienced in the use of an English wheel. Colin Hyde has commented on The Vap that he does this. I think this was in Episode 198.

Grant

[truckasaurus]

Sorry if I missed it but why are all the compound panels being replaced? I ask because if it's a mild dent you may be able to get a good result by wheeling around the damage or even making a compound patch to fit over the damage. Just a thought as I have that problem on mine and will be working the segments with my English Wheel before moving to a more drastic approach. (Given that a dent is stretched sheet metal working around that should reduce the problem, albeit the entire segment changes shape a little). It won't be easy...

[HiHoAgRV]

Although this is from a newer model, it shows how the endcap segments are stretch formed

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ImTwGXVVLS4

[twolanehwy]

Yes, the reason is that the upper segments were dented and then someone pounded them out. Most damage is in the rear. I may be able to have someone work out this front piece as it's not too bad.
The rear ones are beyond fixing. Just seems since it is all apart that now would be the time.
I called Inland and they are looking into what they have. Called Moal in Oakland and they are booked for the next year.
Couldn't find Tin Man in N.San Juan.
I am having a sinking feeling here as things grind to a halt.
Just as I start to feel I'm getting somewhere it's something else.

[vanster]

I just went to the metal worker in Alameda and he can't do it. What about the shop in Bencia? I called them to take a look, however they do not appear all that customer friendly

[twolanehwy]

Yeah, I have a call into Colin. I'll hear from him in a day or two as he is a busy man. I can see how these trailers can really eat up time...Oy Veh!

[truckasaurus]

There's always the option to buy a brand new complete whale tale section from Airstreamsupply or maybe one of Colin's kits if there available? $4k is quite a chunk but it could be nice...

[sgschwend]

Send the damaged panel up and I will run it on my machine. From the pics the damage looks pretty small.

[twolanehwy]

[QUOTE=reinergirl;1748401]Two things, I had great luck using Citrastrip on that black goop, coat it , cover with plastic, leave overnights and wipe off the next day.

QUOTE]

is this the one?

[twolanehwy]

Originally Posted by sgschwend

Send the damaged panel up and I will run it on my machine. From the pics the damage looks pretty small.

thanks much, may do that if I can't find someone down here as I have 4 more.

[reinergirl]

[QUOTE=twolanehwy;1755240]

Originally Posted by reinergirl

Two things, I had great luck using Citrastrip on that black goop, coat it , cover with plastic, leave overnights and wipe off the next day.

QUOTE]

is this the one?

Yep, that's it! Also do a search on Aerowood and panel replacement or pm him, I think he's replaced those panels....

[twolanehwy]

[QUOTE=reinergirl;1755348]

Originally Posted by twolanehwy

Yep, that's it! Also do a search on Aerowood and panel replacement or pm him, I think he's replaced those panels....

I've been in touch with Kip. He offered help early on and we talked a little.
Just as I needed to talk to him more in depth he has traveled to South America. I thought he had told me he did all lowers. Either way I'm sure he can give me some direction.

Ideally someone around the Bay Area that's retired and fools with that stuff. There are a lot of aerospace and ex military guys that have shops in their garage. I'm putting out the word in hopes of finding someone local.

Kinda put things on hold for body panels so I'm working on restoring Herr windows while I figure that out.
Taking glass out now....no tape or glue in there...bet they leak.
I see VTS has the proper tape for that application on new glass.
Thinking of replacing glass w/ Eglass tinted tempered.

[vanster]

Maybe if you go up to Sonoma Airport or one of the smaller airports you can find someone that still has the skill set