VAL Digest V1 #175

VAL Digest           Tuesday, March 2 2004           Volume 01 : Number 175




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Peffer's wood project
[VAL] Re: Spare Tire
Re: [VAL] Peffer's wood project
[VAL] Roof AC removal
[VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #174
Re: [VAL] hello from a new member...
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #174 - Too little tongue weight?
Re: [VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #174

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 02:40:09 EST
From: RESORARCHITECT@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Peffer's wood project

Dear David,
In 1979 I began the 3 year effort to restore a '46 Merc woodie. Taking the 
wood components apart was the only way to do it right. That car still graces our 
garage. 
So in 2001 Bonnie and I bought our '65 Airstream Trade Wind Twin 24'. The 
interior I immeadetly recognised as Phillipine ribbon mahogany. We have taken out 
of the rig each wood component. This has some pluses and minuses. The minus 
is it takes a few years to do the project. The plusses: The final restored 
project is truly outstanding and in some respects better than new. You can 
refinish each cabinet door and cabinet body quite perfectly. You can fix and clean 
under cabinet spaces very nicely. You can replace plywood and tiles on the floor 
easily. Bonnie does most all of the refinishing.
Her technique: Have all the repairs done and the wood fine sanded (my job). 
Clean it with a slightly damp towel. She uses the small (2") disposable foam 
brushes. Typically we use high gloss exterior grade Polyurethane. Don'y buy it 
in Gallon size, just get the quarts. Lay the wood pieces flat if possible. 
Apply the "Poly" in thin coats. Allow about 12 hours between coats or more. Prop 
your piece up on strips of scrap wood to allow you to make a pass at the edges 
easily. 
A critical part of the process is to sand the piece with very fine sand paper 
like 330 grit between coats and then clean it. 4 coats is the minimum. It 
sounds like a lot of work but when you get it down to a system, you'll get it 
done easily. 
Our project goes in small steps forward over several years. If you have more 
time...you can knock it out faster. We believe that the wooden interiored 
travel trailers will be just as treasured as the old Woodies! We believe that over 
time the quality of the restorations will improve significantly. The body of 
knowlege out there will ever build plus thru the clubs and at the meets people 
can get some good info on how to perfect their project. 
A $50,000 or $60,000 vintage Airstream is around the corner. Don't make it so 
perfect that you won't take it out of the yard, however!
Your rig is Ash, I think. That should turn out extremely lovely. Practice on 
some scraps. We have a next door neighbor who has a complete wood shop and 
that has helped some. A radial arm saw is rather important if you have to replace 
some of the wood pieces. as we did. A belt sander and a small square rotary 
sander are indespensible! A good drill is critical, too. 
You'll be able to do all kinds of little home repairs and projects once you 
get the hang of these tools! Good luck, Stuart Resor, Cardiff By The Sea, Ca.

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Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 07:24:54 -0500
From: "Patricia V. Raimondo" <praimond@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Re: Spare Tire

Hi Bobby,

I speak to the service coordinator, Rick March. He can be reached at 
937-596-6111, or email at: rmarch@xxxxxxxxxx.com   He would know if the 
new spare tire holder would work under an older unit. I think the 
holder is one of the things on my list for the Flying Cloud! (it's so 
long I forget what I added!)


Patti

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 14:51:08 EST
From: JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Peffer's wood project

Are you sure that you are not talking about Hounders Magogany? Philippine 
Mahogany (comely known as Luan) is not a mahogany. Today it is commonly used for 
core material for high grade plywood also commonly used for shipping crates 
for Honda motor cycles.In 1965 when my Tradewind was built Walnut ply was used 
and in which the core material were gum. Philippine mahogany also is very 
opened grain very straight with no pattern.
Jim smith 
1965 Tradewind Double(The Silver Abaltross)
1992 Dodge Cummins Diesel

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:06:32 -0500
From: "nickruthwarren" <nickruthwarren@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Roof AC removal

Okay list, here's another one for you!

Supposing I want to remove the roof AC.  What should I expect to find in the
opening and what do I need to get in order to put in a cover?

I so appreciate you patience and help.

Ruth Warren.
1961 Tradewind,
almost ready to hit the road.

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 20:10:23 -0600
From: "Casey McDonough" <cmcdonough1@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: [VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #174

I'm looking for a filler material that will shore up some "soft spots" in
the plywood floor.  I've replaced the back end of the trailer with new wood
and need to "float" some areas on the side where there is some rot.  Any
ideas?

Thanks,
C. McDonough 56 Caravelle

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:13:14 -0600
From: "Craig" <craigcar@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] hello from a new member...

Graeme and List,

As a long time list reader with an Airstream dream, it always seems like I'm
reading emails from quit a distance.  Every once in awhile I'm amazed to
discover a message from someone who is nearly a neighbor.

Graeme, Congrats on the '67 Safari!  I live over near 98th and Penn ... nice
to know there's a vintage Airstream in the neighborhood!  This weather has
to have you anxious to get at the clearcoat ... a few more days like this,
and the snow will be gone!  Of course it's March, and the HS Basketball
tournament is just around the corner :-)

If all goes according to plan, I'll probably start a serious Airstream
search in the fall.  Does anybody have any tips or suggestions for making a
search for that "perfect" Airstream?

Craig Carlson
craigcar@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Minneapolis, MN


- ----- Original Message -----
From: Graeme Thickins <graeme@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 8:39 AM
Subject: [VAL] hello from a new member...


Greetings to all --

Though I've been on the list for a few weeks, reading
only, I wanted to now introduce myself -- because I just
recently became the proud owner of my first Airstream!
A dream of mine for many years...

It's a beautiful 1967 Safari Twin (22'), "International" model,
with a gorgeous aqua interior!  I looked long and hard, and
found just the right one for me.  One thing I learned along
the way:  Airstreamers are the nicest people in the world!

Thanks to all who helped me out there, both by phone and
through this wonderful list.  And I look forward to learning
more from the group as I begin my new adventure...  :-)
*especially* about polishing!  That will be my first order
of business once temperatures allow here in Minnesota --
beginning with stripping that optional '67 clear-coat.
(The interior's so nice, I don't think it needs a thing.)
By late May, I hope to be able to shave in the reflection!

best regards,
Graeme Thickins
*Minneapolis, MN  *San Clemente, CA
'67 Airstream Safari "International"
'90 Jeep Grand Wagoneer "woodie" (black) - tow vehicle
'65 VW Woodie Wagon (yellow) - tow vehicle wannabe!

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 14:59:48 -0600
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #174 - Too little tongue weight?

How can you make up for too little weight on the hitch with an equalizer
hitch?
An equalizer hitch lifts the tongue of the trailer and the rear of the
tow vehicle.
Al

> ------------------------------
> 
> Date: Sun, 29 Feb 04 12:28:20 -0700
> From: Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Subject: [VAL] Rear tire Spare
> 
> Adding a rear spare tire will add about 100 lbs to the bumper and  it
is a good idea to brace up the rear bumper by welding on some additional 
structural support.  Not so much for the extra weight but because of the
stress from the flexing of the tire, etc. when on the road.  One can
compensate for the loss of hitch weight (if there be any) by using an
equalizer hitch or adding weight up front if necessary.  Be sure and
actually determine hitch weight before making any decisions.  When I
considered adding a rear spare  to my '56 Bubble I found that my tongue
weight was 100 plus lbs to much so the spare was going to solve two
problems.  Even tho a light weight trailer at 2500 lbs I still added the
Reese Distribution hitch and maybe went a little overboard adding the
dual cam sway control system.
> 
> Roy Lashway

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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 23:59:41 EST
From: JSmith1805@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] RE: VAL Digest V1 #174

try www.fgci.com They have an excellent pinitrating epoxy
Jim Smith

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End of VAL Digest V1 #175
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