vikx
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Post by vikx on May 24, 2012 1:38:00 GMT -5
I like the shades!
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boandsusan
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Christmas parade 2012
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Post by boandsusan on May 24, 2012 7:29:07 GMT -5
They don't make anything I'm ever looking for, sigh, so I made the shades. I thought to make them from drapery lining but then thought the vinyl would be easier to keep clean. So they are made from a regular shade that I cut to each window size and of course measured and cut the cute little scallops. The shades are sewn to the back of the valance and then I measured to place the velcro so that the scallops hung at a good level when the shades were raised. That was a brilliant idea. Mind if I copy?
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Post by harrison429 on May 24, 2012 20:59:02 GMT -5
I don't mind at all. Just make sure to tell everyone that I came up with the "brilliant idea"...I don't have too many and I need to get all the credit I can get. hahahahahahaha If you do use it make sure to post a pic so I can see too.
The trailer is so small I'm working hard to not make it feel even smaller so I tossed out a lot of ideas for the window coverings...I know you can relate.
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 10, 2012 2:51:48 GMT -5
Yea, more progress. Despite the fact that the salvaged laminate is full of scratches because they covered it with a different laminate I couldn't be more pleased with how awesome it looks in the trailer.
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 10, 2012 2:54:12 GMT -5
And evn though we have more than enough laminate to do the sliders too, I really love the blue & red combo.
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 10, 2012 2:59:24 GMT -5
One of the last things to do is to get the newly made table mounted. (This pic is beforehand) We did the wall mount part yesterday but it turns out we'll need to cut down the original leg ( ) in order for it to fit because our new table is a full 3/4" thick. (We left that beautiful 1955 laminate on the original wood, which is cool in its own rights, so we didn't accidentally ruin it.) I love when a plan finally comes together! image deleted
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 10, 2012 3:03:43 GMT -5
Been working on remaking the sign too...the new/darker colors fit in with the new/darker interior. It's not finished but I'm getting there. I'm also expecting to start on my awning this week. I hate sewing because I ALWAYS run in to trouble which also means I'm always scared to sew since I don't want to mess up and/or ruin the fabric...very stressful for me! image deleted
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cowcharge
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I suffer from Shastasomiasis.
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Post by cowcharge on Jun 10, 2012 8:24:46 GMT -5
I wonder if a coat of clear on the Formica would make all the scratches go away... Anyone ever coat Formica with anything?
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debmc
New Member
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Post by debmc on Jun 10, 2012 9:27:07 GMT -5
I think the blue laminate with your recycled red laminate look good together too! I appreciate all your ideas i.e., floor tiles, shades, salvaging vintage laminate.
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 10, 2012 20:19:36 GMT -5
i have a scrap piece of the laminate that i've been using as a tester for different clear coats. the best so far has been the brush on water polyurethane with 2 coats. it seems to have made the scratches disappear in look and feel however i don't like the way it feels vs the laminate that is in good/original condition. I'll continue to test and take my time to make a decision since it will be 'permanent'. i've wondered if a coat of wax like they use on surf boards would do well. anyone surf? thanks debmc. i hope that others are benefitting from my mistakes as well as gathering ideas or having ideas spurred...it's a great forum for sharing.
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Post by 65callie on Jun 10, 2012 21:04:30 GMT -5
Best surfboard wax: mr zogs sex wax. Don't blame me, I didn't name it! But surf wax would just make the laminate tacky. It is meant to provide "grip" so feet don't slide off the board.
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boandsusan
2K Post Member
Christmas parade 2012
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Post by boandsusan on Jun 10, 2012 21:21:57 GMT -5
You may want to try Spar, marine, clear coat. We buy it at Lowes. It dries to a real slick finish. We restored a boat with a swimming platform, and used it as a final finish. It was a couple of years ago and it was $11 a qt then. Not too bad a price for what it is. Your trailer is looking really nice. Very warm and friendly!
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 10, 2012 22:43:12 GMT -5
The compact is looking good, I wondered how that laminate would turn out, it look great!
My 2cents on Poly's-
I used them all the time, H20 is crystal clear and won't add a yellow/amber tint to the counter. But you need to make sure there is never any standing water on it, or sweaty glasses left on it as it will soften the finish and turn cloudy until it re-cures. If you use a H20 based Poly use one that's a Hardwood floor finish, the difference is the Hardwood floor finish resist scratches and wears harder!
Spar,Man-o-War, water-lox, ect..., It has a very amber tint, they stink, and stink for a long time. They usually have a UV protectant in them. But if they chip or if you gouge them and water get under them you have to strip the whole thing and that's a huge pain with this stuff. They do build nicely though
I build furniture for a living, I really do prefer the H2O stuff so much better as its easier to work with and less odor!
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 11, 2012 5:32:38 GMT -5
thanks for the advice. at the moment schweetcruisers your info explains why my flamingo inn sign gets cloudy in the humidity! i'm definitely going to have to refinish it.
i really don't want to use an over all finish if i can help it which is why i thought about wax. (as it turns out though apparently not sticky surfboard wax-thanks 65callie) i thought with a paste wax i could fill only the damaged areas to get a smoother feel without taking away from the good sections. i'm more unhappy with the feel than with the look because the look is only noticeable in the right light.
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cowcharge
1K Post Member
I suffer from Shastasomiasis.
Posts: 1,471
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Post by cowcharge on Jun 11, 2012 5:34:42 GMT -5
Or maybe the bar-top pour-on resins, those are made to protect from wet glasses and such. Envirotex Lite is one.
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 12, 2012 6:58:53 GMT -5
The table installation is complete. The cushions flip from vinyl for day use to fabric for sleeping. We're down to plumbing the sink, putting a shelf (behind the little kitchen curtain) for eventual toaster oven and microwave, and installing doors on the over-the-couch storage area so stuff stops falling on the floor and people don't see our clothes! I believe that will make the inside complete except for any decor/organization stuff I put in. I'll be starting the awning this week and hope to have it finished before our next camping trip in about 10 days. Never having sewn on plasticized fabric with french seams joining 3 sections, I suspect it will take me some time! Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of her coming to live with us...what am I going to do with all this new found time on my hands?! hahaha image deleted
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 12, 2012 7:00:13 GMT -5
there's also a few more pix on photobucket
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offspringin
1K Post Member
Never question the engineer's judgement!
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Post by offspringin on Jun 12, 2012 7:17:23 GMT -5
"Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of her coming to live with us...what am I going to do with all this new found time on my hands?! hahaha"
come and work on mine of course
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mmeyer
50 Post Member
Posts: 87
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Post by mmeyer on Jun 12, 2012 17:00:06 GMT -5
Fantastic - so you have taken skin off and will put back on? Where will mattresses go when not in use mine is compact to and wanting somthing besides cushion but want to keep table we have rear lounge design should we switch?
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Post by harrison429 on Jun 12, 2012 17:23:08 GMT -5
"Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of her coming to live with us...what am I going to do with all this new found time on my hands?! hahaha" come and work on mine of course lol...i can be had...for a PRICE! mmeyer- we've actually changed back to the original layout so the mattresses have been removed permanently. if your read more of my thread you'll see why the change occurred and maybe it will help you decide how you want yours.
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vikx
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Post by vikx on Jun 13, 2012 0:52:06 GMT -5
This is one beautiful Compact! Very, very nice.
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Gone Kayaking
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long live the Vintage Shasta Trailer Forum....we're gone but you are not forgotten!
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Post by Gone Kayaking on Jun 23, 2012 11:03:35 GMT -5
Lynn you have done a great job!!!
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 11, 2012 13:46:43 GMT -5
Argh, the latest update is my awning fabric is kicking my a**! It's not a regular outdoor fabric, it's a commercial fabric that is acrylic coated on both sides (I forget the brand). Sewers beware...I thought the issue was going to be if my machine could handle it but its not, its ME who can't handle the stiff, bulky, heavy fabric! Even with helping hands I haven't been able to manage to get it through the machine resulting in a stitch that is anywhere near straight! And my french seam? Oy Vay, it's a mess! I'm not sure what my next step with it is beyond putting it away, at least for the moment. haha (gotta laugh so i don't ) argh
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Post by paigenmarc on Jul 11, 2012 20:30:46 GMT -5
Oh, man. I feel for ya. Hey, at least you can sew. My mom gave my daughter a sewing machine she bought at an estate sale and I attempted to make pillows with piping. Well, the machine gave me fits, and I really can't sew in the first place, so I was one frustrated chicka. Let us know what you decide to do. I'd love to see how it all turns out.
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boandsusan
2K Post Member
Christmas parade 2012
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Post by boandsusan on Jul 11, 2012 21:41:09 GMT -5
Yep the weight of the awning fabric is a pain in the rump steak! I had to have 2 people hold mine up to keep the weight off the needle. Then I realised that a BIG table was in order. If you have or can borrow a big banquet table. It needs to big enough to keep all the fabric on the table, none hanging off. I set my machine up on the very right, front corner of the table, leaving the rest for the fabric. Hope this helps!
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 12, 2012 10:20:58 GMT -5
A new day dawns bright... The machine did really well and weight on the needle wasn't really a problem because I only sewed about 3 inches at a time before I had to adjust the fabric. I had my machine on the very front left corner with several folding tables behind me to support the fabric 'back there' and of course the leaf in the dining table to extend it...it was quite a sight haha running from one end of the table around all the little tables to get to the fabric on the other side... I have decided though that like it or not I have one seam done and it's staying! I'll attempt the next one this weekend when hubby can help. Perhaps this will be a one seam a week project as that's as much frustration as I can handle per week!
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 18, 2012 15:55:24 GMT -5
so it turns out the best way to sew unbendable fabric is on the floor. even with an exlarge table top the fabric still needed to bend in front of and behind the machine which was causing problems too. so, propping the fabric up on blankets, which slide very nicely on hardwood floors, rigging the presser foot to only go slowly and braced in the doorway, i was able to contort myself enough to hold the fabric and press the machine foot to sew a straight line, woo-hoo!
not only did i get a decently straight line but my french seam is laying nice and flat.
i guess the one seam a week idea may work...only 3 more seams to go. hahaha
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 18, 2012 15:57:40 GMT -5
(lighting is really bad, it really is my pink & white striped fabric) now the debate is leave my first horrible seam or fix it? a part of me doesn't want to go anywhere near it but another part knows i can't live with it now that i've seen how nicely the second one came out image deleted
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Jul 19, 2012 0:55:09 GMT -5
Where there's a will, there's a way..
Who's gonna look up and see that seam anyway? You can sell it right off the trailer and make yourself another with straighter seams. LOL.
Can't wait to see the finished product!
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Post by harrison429 on Jul 26, 2012 15:15:06 GMT -5
it's beginning to look like an awning! ;D heehee all of the long, hard stitching is done. there are 5 french seams in this baby and 2 of them had to have 4 rows of stitches instead of 3, argh! I'm down to stitching on the awning rope, sewing the fabric corners as reinforcements for the grommets (which i'll have to do by hand due to the change of plans), sewing the binding on for my hem and hemming the corners. Might sound like a lot but compared to the sewing hell I've completed sounds like a breeze to me! Oops, probably shouldn't have tempted the awning gods with my positive attitude, thats when they like to strike!! image deleted
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