1956 Bubble Restoration Start to Finish

[Melody Ranch]

Forget the temp curtains I put in the Bubble. The aluminum shades fit very close and are attached top and bottom.

[the544man]

thanks Kenny. maybe you should get another project. I've got a classic Volvo engine to rebuild so I'm definitely stopping at one airstream. I've also got just one dog, one wife, and one credit card. less is definitely more Dan!

[the544man]

check out this little fan I just picked up on eBay. it's from the 40s, made in Chicago USA and runs great. i wouldn't let it run all night or anything. its just kind of functional decor. it works both as a fan for circulation or runs quiet and slower when in the heat position. it looks pretty retro in the bubble. cheers. Ted

[Melody Ranch]

Thats Really cool!

[the544man]

How's everyone doing this spring! I'm looking forward to a get away next month to Washington state. And Just last week I found a couple used zip dee chairs with the retro 70s brown striped fabric which doesn't go well with most modern trailers but works perfect with our 56 woodie interior. I'm hoping to find a couple more. So don't bid the next ones up that show up on eBay. You guys can use the 50's cool colors. I like this as an extra table chair too. Cheers and happy summer planning Its 75 and sunny this week in Oregon. It's a nice cap on another year without snow Happy spring. Ted

[ddstech]

So did you get the matching pair of chairs that just sold on eBay? It took all my willpower not to drive up the price!

Matt

[the544man]

Originally Posted by ddstech

So did you get the matching pair of chairs that just sold on eBay? It took all my willpower not to drive up the price!

Matt

I watched those but since they were not zip dees I chose not to bid. I guess the knock offs are not compatible with authentic zip dee parts and fabric. the dude had a zip dee bag and A&E chairs. pretty close on the fabric design though. . I figured you'd drive up the price anyway. that would have been a good price for originals if they were. so i ordered a couple direct from zip dee after deciding not to bid. I thought "that's what Matt would do as money doesn't really inhibit him at all." gotta be like Matt every once in a while I guess. I'll wait till another authentic stray comes across eBay to add to the 4 I have now. cheers. ted

[ddstech]

Originally Posted by the544man

I watched those but since they were not zip dees I chose not to bid. I guess the knock offs are not compatible with authentic zip dee parts and fabric. the dude had a zip dee bag and A&E chairs. pretty close on the fabric design though. . I figured you'd drive up the price anyway. that would have been a good price for originals if they were. so i ordered a couple direct from zip dee after deciding not to bid. I thought "that's what Matt would do as money doesn't really inhibit him at all." gotta be like Matt every once in a while I guess. I'll wait till another authentic stray comes across eBay to add to the 4 I have now. cheers. ted

Hey now, you make it sound like I have all sorts of money. Not true. My kids have had nothing but beans and rice since I started the restoration. They are really looking forward to new foods this coming weekend on our maiden voyage to the casini ranch rally. We are without a fridge, but it's close enough, the old coleman cooler will live to see another trip!

I didn't know there were knock off chairs. I'm sporting the webbed aluminum chairs pulled from someone's garbage pile in the street.

[the544man]

so we went out to the coast for a few days to cape lookout state park. our "new" 1951 sears canvas umbrella tent seemed to work great for the boys. I hope all of you are planning some great trips this summer. cheers Ted

[marzboy]

Looks like a great time, we are looking forward to camping at Patrick's point over the fourth

[Air Cruiser]

Hi Ted.

I have a question regarding the Marmoleum flooring in your Bubble. Do you recall being told to not put sealant on your subfloor because of the installers needing to put down luan sheeting for the Marmoleum? And with this I mean I thought I'd been told or read somewhere that they like to use adhesive to put that luan down with and of course it wouldn't adhere to the subfloor if a heavy sealant had been used.

I liked what Shelly did in her Overlander with the epoxy sealant on her subfloor and the thought of not having to worry about floor rot in the future due to leaks, but that could be a problem with luan not adhering. Although, I was wondering why couldn't they use heavy-duty staples or, I guess, some sort of screws to put the luan down with?

Do you have any advice or thoughts on all of this? (Trying to get it right the first time.) Thanks so much.

Deb

[the544man]

as I did all the prep for the marmoleum. the installer asked me to leave bare plywood sanded smooth with a radial sander. he did the rest with the glue and such. I'd suggest ask the company you're working with first. cheers. Ted

[the544man]

just back from a trip to central Oregon with the boys. we camped at coldwater cove on clear lake, canoed, fished, hiked on the pacific crest trail, and did a few things In between. love the area next door to us. cheers. Ted

[Air Cruiser]

Thanks, Ted, for the information on the marmoleum installation.

It looks as though your boys, as well as yourself, really enjoy being out with "mother nature", how nice! As I'm certain you've heard before, enjoy your boys now as they grow up so quickly.

As you've been using your Bubble, is there anything you now wish you'd done differently?

Deb

[the544man]

lets see. what would I have done different after the fact? only a few things come to mind.

1. maybe install the water pump switch all the way over next to the sink (it's right next to the dinette close to the breaker box now)
2. buy a Dremel tool earlier
3. I really only need one propane tank but two brand new aluminum ones with double mounting hardware were included when I bought it
4. I may have tried installing another overhead cab instead of building a countertop cab for more open feel
5. I could have buried the water pump under my rear fixed bed but its nice being able to see it knowing there's no leaks in all the connections
6. a clothes hamper? but where?
7. door latches on the big heavy cabinet drawers. they usually stay shut but a couple have slid open on a wicked unexpected mtn curve
8. build some cabinet dividers for storing stuff ( I can do this now that I know what I take and don't need when camping)
9. I haven't used my propane catalytic heater yet. could have skipped perhaps
10. I still might build a rear spare tire carrier? I designed the rear hatch to hold it currently
11. install the same blinds earlier
12. install a pullout cutting board ( then you not have to store one in a drawer)
13. install a wine celler

cheers. Ted

[the544man]

I just installed 5 more restoration hardware latches on my drawers today. Every once in a while, even though the drawers have a friction/RV stop on them when closed, over certain off camber curves I would find one extend open during the ride. Now they're secured for serious dips and bumps in the road! The annual boys trip to Clear Lake in Central Oregon is in a week and a half! Cheers ted

[the544man]

I installed them on the fridge side cabinet too. I still haven't build my Bubble--bubbly wine cellar yet though. Anyone have an idea of what i should put in the lower left hatch where 4 bottles will fit? I have to deal with the wheel well so I've got to creat something for vertical storage. There's not a lot of wiggle room but something has gotta work--i just havn't nailed it yet in my brain. stay thirsty my friends--ted

[ASTailgate]

I like!!!

[OkieHB]

That looks really good.

[the544man]

more shiny stuff usually looks cool in airstreams!--cheers--ted