The rebuild of a 61 Astrodome into a '61 Airflyte IS DONE!

[schweetcruisers]

This is the gun I use, I am sure you could find a cheaper one in the Duo-fast line. I for some reason have always used Senco's as they seem to last longer without repairs and the replacement parts are cheaper. I used to be a production manager for a local mattress factory and we used Duo-fast's to attach the box spring covers, they work ok too!

www.senco.com/ToolDetails.aspx?k=6SXXX1N

The only qualm with these guns is the staples are hard to find!

[schweetcruisers]

So I was able to get the last major piece of the interior done, the Gaucho Couch is done. Oh yeah now its a full size instead of a 3/4 like the original.

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Pulled Out-


I didn't like the original legs that Shasta put on it in '61. I copied the legs from a Mid-century Modern Heywood Wakefield Coffee table, although I did need to reinforce the back of the legs! But I love the tapered legs and the way they flow into the skirt!

[murryconst]

How are you going to do the mattress
50/50 ....50/25/25... Like the idea of getting a bigger bed

[schweetcruisers]

Not quite sure what I am going to do yet, I thought about a futon, one with a innerspring, that would give us a bed without a seem. The original was 50/25/25 might end up back with the original configuration.

[universalexports]

Sir, I am in awe of your wood work, that is amazing. my hats off to you.

[vikx]

Thanks for the gun info! I like good quality tools...

[cowcharge]

I've always liked the way a pair of tapered legs flow into a skirt, too.

[schweetcruisers]

I was able to knock out a bunch of punch list items today, I think I have one more day of doing misc punch items and I'll be ready to shellac!

We had some major storms come through here on Wednesday and Thursday, even with 3 tarps on it, there was still water damage! I spent most of the morning sanding out water stains.

I built the gas light mount on the wavy cabinet. I never really liked the way the wavy cabinet met the ceiling so I used some of the round corner pieces I had milled to
1) Cover the seam
2)Hide the gas line
3) add a little extra detail.

Its funny how it looks like I built a bird house in my trailer!






I also received the table mount from VTS today so I was finally able to built my table base, I found a really cool art deco hinge in a box of boat hardware that I bought 8 years ago. I love the way the front is turning out!

[schweetcruisers]

The stars aligned today, we had the perfect weather( 75 deg), I had the time, and I had the shellac. Hello 1961! The combination of Amber and Blonde Shellac brought the out the warm tones in wood and vintage feel I was looking for!

[universalexports]

WOW!!!

[boandsusan]

Lovely......I could look at wood all day lol. Your work is unbelievable. Awesome job!

[schweetcruisers]

Thanks guys,

Universal, I'll now have take a bow everytime I open this thread!

Boandsusan, I gotta say, I never messed with Shellac before and to be honest I kinda feared it. I am in love with the tone, it reminds me of nice warm tones of the 50's and 60's. Although eventhough I used a respirator I felt like I was spraying straight gin, I started wondering if I could get drunk off of fumes!

[vikx]

Love those shellac FUMES... yum. Really beautiful work, Schweet!

[joecamper]

If the offer for the jelousy windows from the front bunk you removed is still good I would like them. I need them for the buzzerd I am starting on soon.

Let me know and thanks.

[schweetcruisers]

Joe, the windows I have for the bunk are not jealousy windows, the one at the top front of the bunk is a fixed pane, I have the two side vent windows, and the hehr roof vent with skylight, if you want any let me know!

[joecamper]

OK I need to pull plywood out to see how much is or isint there.

[tylerbes]

Schweet... tip of the cap to you sir. I dont have to tell you it looks killer, really great. Can you tell me exactly what brand and color shellac you used. I think you nailed it with the color. I used straight poly, and it looks great but doesnt have that golden color. I might be getting another one! and I think I would go the same route you did with the color.

How many coats you going to hit it with?

[Hamlet]

tylerbes - the golden color will come as it ages. The only thing required is patience. Lots of patience.

[tylerbes]

Hamlet, agreed. But apparently Schweet got it right out of the can. Why wait for nature to do what chemical science has figured out for us.

[schweetcruisers]

Tyler, I used Bullseye Shellac, the stuff everyone recommends and is available at Home Depot/Lowes.

Here's my application process-

(all finish was sprayed out of a HVLP gun(high volume/low pressure))

Step 1) Sand all wood work with 220
Step 2) Spray 2 coats of Amber Shellac
Step 3) Sand with 400 grit(don't wipe off dust)
Step 4) Spray 1 Coat of Amber Shellac
Step 5) Spray 2 Coats of Blonde/Clear Shellac(This was used as build coats, to add depth without changing the color)
Step 6) Wait at least 24 hours for full cure
Step 7) Sand with 400 grit
Step 8) Sand with 2000 grit
Step 9) Apply a paste wax, like minwax finishing paste
Step 10) Buff out

I think I used 7 qt cans of Amber and 3 qt cans of Blonde. I will say this as a word of caution, I had it glass smooth out of the gun, we had cool temps the day I sprayed it, I couldn't get back to it for two days, in which we were in the 90's. When I came back to final sand it, it had little bubbles in it from the wax boiling? out of it, I am a little(a lot) disappointed with the results. I've never had that happen with poly!

[jeajsa]

I am not going to look at anymore of theses owner restorations, there is way to much talent on this site and my ego and manliness has taken to many hits! Hell I was happy that I learned to use the dam pocket hole jig the other day! Nice job!

[tylerbes]

Thanks for the info Schweet... I had a some bubbling as well, I know how frustrating that can be. Had to re-scuff and hit it with one final coat. You will never be 100% satisfied with it, I know I never will be.

[schweetcruisers]

I haven't up dated this in almost a month...don't worry I'm still working on it!! I've been doing electrical and some punch list items I need to attend to before I insulate. If members wanna see it I'll post pics of wires in the walls, lmk, but I feel it's really boring, maybe since I've been pulling wires for month!! I know other members have said this but... Who knew that a little trailer would have so much wire! Not me!

I haven't up dated the blog either for the same reason, maybe tomorrow!

[schweetcruisers]

well other than running two more DC circuits that will allow some expansion if I ever need it, the electrical system is done.

The Nerve Center!


My nightstand outlet!


I also got the counter tops done, Charcoal boomerang Formica.

[universalexports]

wow! that is a work of art, very nice. more pics!!!

[vikx]

SCHWEET!

[tylerbes]

See, I love stuff like this. I never would have thought of the charcoal color tops and it looks fantastic. Well done as always.

[schweetcruisers]

OK everybody collectively gasp!

Here comes the Spray Foam, ;D, a Big thanks to Seal-It-Up Colorado for the help,



Starting to get air tight,




All sealed, it took 2 hours to apply and about 5-6 to shave it back down and shape it, way faster than foam board, and I didn't have to work around the wires. FYI this is not the same stuff sold at Home Depot in the cans. This is Closed Cell foam, its two parts basically Polyurethane Glue(Gorilla Glue) and a hardener that reacts to make it expand and dry with in seconds.





For anyone who doubts the benefits of Spray foam, this is me standing on the roof, would you do that with foam board? Probably not.

[kto17]

Kinda like the spray foam idea. You going to put a water/weather barrier over it similar to a house. Shouldn't have much to worry about with closed cell but the wood...

[schweetcruisers]

I'll probably run Tyvek over it. Having been around new home construction for 12+ years I am a big fan of Spray foam and Tyvek. I will say this, had I built my trailer from the inside out I would not have used the Foam. I wouldn't want it bonded to my Aluminum skin!!