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SilverHoot · 03-16-2009, 03:21 PM

Thought I would document my renovation of our 1963 Silver Streak. Hoping the multitude of talent will chime in with ideas and criticisms since this will be a learn as I go project. Some before's

SilverHoot · 03-16-2009, 03:33 PM

After coming across a couple of soft spots in the sub floor have decided to completely gut the interior to insure a sound floor everywhere. Have not decided on complete floor replacement yet.

Ganaraska · 03-16-2009, 03:43 PM

Very interesting project, I am looking forward to learning about the differences between a Silver Streak and Airstream.

Have you worked on an Airstream before?

Looks like you have your work cut out. What kind of reno are you planning? Restoration, modernization, or completely new design?

SilverHoot · 03-16-2009, 03:44 PM

Just about have it completely gutted. Just have the uppers to remove. Look at this OLD electric shaver that I found waaaay behind the bathtub. It is in primo shape. Bet somebody went kinda crazy looking for it, way back when!

SilverHoot · 03-17-2009, 07:54 AM

Ganaraska,

Still deciding if I will attempt to change the layout. Hopefully some members will chime in with ideas. We would like to have a dedicated bed instead of gaucho or dinette bed as this was originally configured. Plan to add a grey tank and will modernize all appliances. I have the entire interior to use as templates for reconstruct. No, I have never worked on an Airstream before and this is our first travel trailer of any kind. One difference between the Airstream and SS that I have come across is that the channel at the floor that the interior and exterior walls attach to is aluminum on the SS and steel on the Airstreams.If you would like to know about anything in particular, just let me know. Again, suggestions WELCOME!

truckasaurus · 03-17-2009, 08:10 AM

Your project looks very interesting, what are the internal dimensions of your '63? I ask it she looks about the same as an Overlander.

SilverHoot · 03-17-2009, 08:22 AM

Truckasaurus,

Interior dimensions are 6' 11" x 18' 7" Probably more similar to a Safari?

SilverHoot · 03-18-2009, 09:09 AM

She's been completely gutted and figuring out what to do next. Remove belly pan or lower interior skins. Anybody know if the interior endcaps are removed in one piece as with an Airstream? There's a dent in the rear endcap exterior that I want to improve the appearance. Wish I knew how you all do those nice drawings so that I could show my proposed layout.

silverleeper · 03-18-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

She's been completely gutted and figuring out what to do next. Remove belly pan or lower interior skins. Anybody know if the interior endcaps are removed in one piece as with an Airstream? There's a dent in the rear endcap exterior that I want to improve the appearance. Wish I knew how you all do those nice drawings so that I could show my proposed layout.

I have not worked on an SS (disclaimer). From the photos I see you do not have solid end caps. I see rivet lines. Early Airstreams (50s 40s era) end caps were made up like that. Some industrious people have stripped the end caps and polished them to a nice shine. I would like to see your layout too. Google Sketchup has been used for this. Its free!

SilverHoot · 03-18-2009, 10:04 AM

Lee,

Yes, the end caps are riveted but was wondering if it will come out as one piece rather than having to disassemble each wedge that makes the radius. Guess there's a sure way to find out! I had downloaded Google Sketchup a few weeks back but couldn't figure it out. Maybe I'll try some more.

silverleeper · 03-18-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Lee,

Yes, the end caps are riveted but was wondering if it will come out as one piece rather than having to disassemble each wedge that makes the radius. Guess there's a sure way to find out! I had downloaded Google Sketchup a few weeks back but couldn't figure it out. Maybe I'll try some more.

Probably stating the obvious here but, start on the end thats closest to the dent to minimize the work. Go for it.

utee94 · 03-18-2009, 10:24 AM

Spend some time with the tutorials on Sketchup and you'll get the hang of it. It's a bit tough to learn at first, but after you learn the basics, you can do some fun things with it.

I don't know if the interior endcaps were assembled as one piece on a bench like they were on Airstreams, but my guess is that they were, because it would be easier to assemble on a bench than it would be while working over one's head on the interior.

Can you tell if the rivets are pop rivets, or solid rivets? If they're solid, then chances are it was all assembled on a bench before installation.

Good luck, and keep the pictures coming. It looks like a fun renovation.

-Marcus

utee94 · 03-18-2009, 10:29 AM

Oh, one other thing--

Quote:

One difference between the Airstream and SS that I have come across is that the channel at the floor that the interior and exterior walls attach to is aluminum on the SS and steel on the Airstreams.

Not sure if you reversed the two brands here?

My j-channel (aka c-channel or u-channel depending on the year) that bolts to the plywood subfloor and has the inner and outer skins riveted to it, is made of aluminum and not steel. Same thing for every other Airstream I've ever seen, or seen pictures of. Perhaps you meant it the other way and that the Silver Streak uses a steel channel?

Anyway, good luck!

-Marcus

SilverHoot · 03-18-2009, 02:48 PM

My mistake, I had thought I had seen that the u- channel (I'll call it 'U' for mine since that's the orientation) on some Airstream restores were all rusted and needed replacement , mine is definitely aluminum. See, that's what I need, folks to keep me in line. Something that I DO think is different ( and not happy about it) from most but maybe not all Airstreams is that SS has what I would call 'beading' detail on many of their panels. Hopefully this can be reproduced by a sheetmetal shop. Makes for a more difficult panel replacement I would think. Take a look. Thanks Utee for straightening me out.

utee94 · 03-18-2009, 03:21 PM

Heh... definitely not trying to "straighten you out" as I am still learning too. And the "u" channel on many Airstreams (including mine) does get heavily corroded. It's not rust, it's actual corrosion of the aluminum. Which is tough to do for sure-- I'd guess it takes approximately 30-40 years of untended leaks for it to do significant damage...

That bead detail looks nice, definitely makes panel replacement more difficult though, you're right about that!

Ganaraska · 03-19-2009, 06:30 PM

Individual panels can be replaced. You may not have to replace it though. Most times dents can be pushed out from behind even bad looking ones. The best way is to go around the edge of the dent pushing it out little by little. You can do this with your hands, a rubber mallet, and one poster here had good success using a home made roller. The roller was made of 2 or 3 small caster wheels, 2 or 3" diameter, on a common axle with a handle on it. He went around rolling the dents out from the edge toward the center little by little.

A good metal man can take out 90% of the damage but you need to take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.

To get access to the back of a panel you have to take out the inner panel. You can drill and remove the rivets then carefully take the panel out. Later rivet it back in with pop rivets.

In real bad cases you may have to replace a panel. Drill out the rivets and take out the panel, cut out a replacement, fasten in place with Clecos, and put in new rivets.

To put the rolled edge on a panel you need a bead roller. Here is what one looks like in action.

YouTube - Eastwood's Bead Roller

There are cheap hand cranked bead rollers available for home use or any good sheet metal shop should be able to roll beads for you.

Ganaraska · 03-19-2009, 06:32 PM

I don't see any bad dents in the pictures. Why do you want to take off the end caps?

SilverHoot · 03-20-2009, 08:51 AM

Garnaska,

Thanks for the Eastman video, makes me know it can be done. Here's a pic of why I want to remove interior end cap. Just want to improve the looks of that dent.

Michael

Ganaraska · 03-21-2009, 07:31 AM

That is the kind of dent that can be smoothed out, about 90% to 99% successfully. There may be some very slight ripples left but nothing anyone would notice unless you point it out.

There was just a thread on this showing a worse dent that was pushed out so you can hardly see it.

slowmover · 03-22-2009, 08:54 AM

Be sure to use the information at Toms' Web Page site, and sign up for the SILVER STREAK MAILING LIST; a good number of owners on that site, and some have coaches of your vintage.

I replaced the bathroom floor in mine (a 1983; http://www.airforums.com/forums/f417...irs-34411.html), and, while there is no C-channel, the floor did go up under the walls. It was a pain to remove, but nothing like what I have read on here about Airstreams. The floor is really only attached to the frame, the walls, etc, are attached to the frame separately. Not quite a "floating floor" but close.

Excellent pictures. I hope you'll keep it original, overall, with the changes for the bed you have in mind. There are few enough S/S trailers out there, and it looks as though you have a real keeper!