1956 Bubble Restoration Start to Finish

[the544man]

hello after a few weeks--i just rebuilt my door yesterday as i found my remaining door lock parts from ed--thanks ed. I'll get some pictures on here again soon. Oh--and last week i installed an original hehr vent fan I found on ebay. i'm currently waiting on my countertop material so that's the next thing on the block. cheers--ted

[the544man]

here's the rarest airstream lock finally fully installed--the bargman H20!

A pic of the 12 volt hehr vent fan with original screen (note: after soaking the lifting handle mechanisms for a month in pb blaster and wd40, and spending at least 3 hours trying to get the ball bearings to release--i finally got them off last week so i could do the install)--note to my future grandkids in say 30 years?--i installed a heavy gauged electrical wire to the fan if you ever live in the east coast and need to install a roof top ac unit.

the door side dinette hatch complete. it will make for easy access without stepping into the trailer.

thank you for your continued tips and positive responses! ted

[the544man]

I made a sceen for the door within using alluminum framing and alluminum screen. I wanted to create a screen that can be replaced rather than just stretching screen behind the metal panels. Since the interior metal is rivoted to the door frame--in the old design--if you get 1 snag you're drilling out all of the rivots and tearing the door apart again . so once i had the screen sized up--i "dremeled" the slots for my custom made alluminum "male" latch which goes through the screen frame and the vintage trailer style aluminum sliding bolt mechanism on the inside holds it tight. I'll put up more pictures of the interior of the door soon--i ran out of rivots so i'd rather have a complete picture online here. and i picked up the formic tonight so that's going on the countertops tomorrow--- i hope! cheers--ted

[the544man]

here's a pic of the dinette countertop i finished yesterday. I have the fridge side countertop done and will do the stove/sink side next weekend. I have the day off so i'm thinking about going out to get some stain matched today. Cheers!

[the544man]

I had a good time staining the cabinet frames, doors, and hatches the last couple days. I pulled the smaller stove/sink cabinet out of the trailer as it's easy to get out and i want to do the formica top outside so i can let all of the dust from the router fly. I moved the car out and set up shop in the shop to do the staining and sealing.

i stained the larger cabinet inside the trailer since the countertop and alluminum edge banding is complete--and it's a tight fit.

After the staining of the cabs i sealed everything--including the oak paneling with 2 coats of antique oil finish. I have always liked using the product as a sealer as it's easy to use and it absorbes into the wood to seal and protect it verses just laying on top of the wood in a thick mass like polyurathanes. the oil finish brought the paneling back to life. I am high as a kite though--that's some strong stuff when applying in a small trailer!

[bolerama]

So beautiful. The oil & stain really bring out the depth of color in the graining.

[the544man]

here's another shot after the interior was finished in antique oil. cheers

[n2batr]

Ted, Its really coming together! Glad the door handle parts worked well. Really looks sharp. I think you will be happy with the screen modification, the first time it gets a tear in it. Keep up the excellent work. Ed

[the544man]

thanks ed--have you ever come across anyone who sells a new door stop/latch (the one that holds the door within the door to the exterior wall of the trailer when it's open and when the main door is closed)? also the part that attatches to the door itself. i could probably buff mine up and paint it or send it off to get dipped in chrome but i don't want to unless i have to. it's pretty ugly right now in the box. It seems like an improvement could be made becasue it looks like the latch keeps the door from running into the side trailer light only when you have the latch engaged. if you just open the door without manually latching it-- the door would swing right into the wall of the trailer at the running light. has anyone offered good imrpoovements to this design? (my parts are still in a box so i've only eyed this up holding the pieces there. I was originally waiting to see if Vintage Trailer Supply was going to finally get these parts in (but it sounds like they are not as the factory made measurement errors in drilling out the holes). any advice on that?--ted

[the544man]

before....panel's pulled apart, rivot's drilled out, no lock, no handle, no screen, latches broken, and the legendary ugly "porta-potty" flaking paint.

and

after... re-insulated, lock rebuilt, panels repaired, screen door built, latches customized and installed, painted, and revited with olympic rivots.

With all of the rich looking wood inside--i thought i'd go for an industrial rivoted hatch effect. When the "door within" is open for the breeze and the main door closed you get the standard alluminum look on the outside. cheers.

[n2batr]

Ted, I checked and only have 2 of those latches. Guess they are not making them any more for VTS. I see them on ebay occasionally, now at a fairly steep price. The piece attached to my door polished out fairly well . Maybe see how the rest (body part) polishes if you remove the rubber cap?? Ed

[the544man]

here's my most recent work--the sink and stove are sealed and set in place for good , and the cabinets are stained-oil sealed, countertop installed, and doors and hatches are on. I had to put them in just to see what they look like installed. I'll pull the hatches back off to run my electrical through. and I'm still shopping for some nice brushed nickel drawer pulls, latches and knobs.

The fridge is back in place as i took it out for the finishing work. I was fortunate to get a brand new norcold fridge and princess stove still in the box with the deal when i bought the gutted project.

I installed the aluminum edge banding around the dinette seats to finish them off (all except the upolstry of course). i highly recomend doing this--it really pulls everything together visually.

here you see where i'm putting the all in one progressive dynamics fuse panel/electrical box which serves for both "shore power", all the 12 volt needs, and maintaining the battery.

next month I hope to have the plumbing finallized. cheers--and thanks for all of your input! ted

[frockman]

Wow !

[utee94]

Finish work is looking great, keep it up!

-Marcus

[mello mike]

Ted,
This looks fantastic! Wanna work on mine?

[bolerama]

I'm in love! Gorgeous! The aluminum trim is a great addition. I agree...it ties it all together.

Lisa

[the544man]

thanks for the responses above. tell me what you think for my cabinet hardware. my favorite so far are the gilmore pulls and utility latches in satin nickel from restoration hardware's website. I like the vintage look and i think that the gilmore style may work better as the bubble bungalo (woody trailer) is an artisan/craftsman design and not a 50's "boomerang diner" look. i want to keep with the brushed nickle/aluminum rather than going pure mission which would include darker accents.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by the544man

thanks for the responses above. tell me what you think for my cabinet hardware. my favorite so far are the gilmore pulls and utility latches in satin nickel from restoration hardware's website. I like the vintage look and i think that the gilmore style may work better as the bubble bungalo (woody trailer) is an artisan/craftsman design and not a 50's "boomerang diner" look. i want to keep with the brushed nickle/aluminum rather than going pure mission which would include darker accents.

I agree. Considering the design of your almost finished project, I think that's an excellent choice - best of the available group.
Thanks for posting your project.
MarkR

[SilverHoot]

I agree with Lisa about the aluminum trim. NICE! Where did you get the trim?

[the544man]

the trim is from vintagetrailersupply.com I ordered the satin finish versus the polished aluminunm to keep with a more vintage brushed nickle look versus the "bling" of the polished chrome look. either are cool but the satin is like the original. I found the aluminum very high qaulity which bends very easily and it's predrilled. you have to order a shipping tube--but i do not know where else this stuff is available. shipping wasn't brutal when ordering with a large order. be sure to order an exrtra piece for future repairs. it's worth the cost for sure.
"buy nice not twice" is one of my ideals! cheers