“Lenora “ 1972 Sovereign 31’

[AlaskaElaine]

I’m a “little old lady” living in the interior of Alaska near Denali National Park. I decided to strip out the interior of “Lenora “ as she was mouse infested, and no wiring worked. A year or so ago I “fixed” the front ribs and holes (I used some new stovepipe to cover the holes and caulked in with gutter seal...I know you are probably shuddering at the thought, but it doesn’t leak and that is a start).

It’s slow going as I am doing it pretty much on my own as my dear hubby would just as soon row the whole thing to the dump (now seeing as I’ve owned “Lenora “ longer than I’ve owned him that is an unlikely scenario! lol. But I’m persisting and have made pretty good progress. All that is left is the bathroom and kitchen and one partition wall. I do need to piece in a couple spots on the floor due to rot. Not sure how to accomplish that lol. Goal for this summer is to get her totally gutted and start wiring and insulation. Wish me luck!

[AlaskaElaine]

Well I managed to remove the remaining walls, kitchen and bathroom. Lots of squirrel bedding under tub. Floor rot in street side back corner. Belly pan in that area is old corrugated tin roof. No, I didn’t put that in. Obviously have to replace all that.

[AlaskaElaine]

Managed to remove the center and street side ceiling tin. Admittedly it didn’t come out very well. In fact a 2 inch tear in the center tin happened. Oh well. Lots of mouse poop in the insulation. Guess that is to be expected in a 48 year old trailer. Making progress!!!

[Bubba L]

You’re doing a great job. Most people wouldn’t even start much less tear into it. Slow and easy wins the race. Take care and keep the updates coming. Stay safe.

[AlaskaElaine]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[AlaskaElaine]

So I thought I would give the old girl (and I mean the airstream not me. Lol) a bath. She is definitely mossy and hadn’t been washed in years. BUT without thinking I used a scotch bright and ended up with this. I only did the one panel by the front window but it is definitely scratched. Will it polish out? Is it just in the clear coat? I know she isn’t beautiful by any means but I don’t want to cause more damage.

[InsideOut]

It's hard to tell from the photo if the scratches are in the clearcoat or in the aluminum, that looks like a pretty aggressive Scotch Brite pad...

If it's in the clearcoat, the scratches will go away when you strip the clearcoat - which has to be done before polishing. If it's through partially failed clearcoat and partially into the aluminum, it will be "better" after clearcoat removal - but some scratches will still be there. If it's in the aluminum, it will take a couple extra passes at polishing.

Regardless, if you are planning on compounding & polishing 'Lenora', this should polish out.

Good luck!~

Shari