Going all in on our 63 restoration

[Deleted]

Here’s the result of today’s work. After removing 50 years of oxidation and grime the windows received new upper and lower bulb seals, felt strips, and edge seals for the glass. I’m waiting on glass for the front dinette and rear hehr before I can put the window and metal part of the project behind me. I’m ready to move back to the dinette and cabinets for sure.

[Hamlet]

Beautiful!!

[znorm]

I know how you feel. I am doing the complete tear down right to the frame. I rebuilt the frame and the axle and had it all powder coated to a silver finish. I am at the stage of installing the ceiling and cross members. All paneling is pre-finished prior to installing. I took the axle off and set the trailer on car dollies to move it in and out of the garage as needed. When it is put together and before it goes to the painters it will just clear my garage header by a 1/2" and then jack it up and install the axle. For some reason I can't download pictures of my trailer project. It tells me it is to big.

[Deleted]

Finally all the metal polishing is done! Here is the final window, cleaned with all new seals and tempered side glass. Time to move back to cabinet doors and the missing dinette. I sent my dinette bench frames out the other day to get upholstered…should look real nice when they return. The local guy doing them does nice work…will post when they’re back.

[cowcharge]

Jan 26, 2013 0:49:00 GMT -5 znorm said:

I know how you feel. I am doing the complete tear down right to the frame. I rebuilt the frame and the axle and had it all powder coated to a silver finish. I am at the stage of installing the ceiling and cross members. All paneling is pre-finished prior to installing. I took the axle off and set the trailer on car dollies to move it in and out of the garage as needed. When it is put together and before it goes to the painters it will just clear my garage header by a 1/2" and then jack it up and install the axle. For some reason I can't download pictures of my trailer project. It tells me it is to big.

You can do either of two things: Lower the resolution on your camera so that the pics are in smaller files, or resize them before posting using Paint, Photoshop, or Windows Pic viewer. You need to get them below 1 megabyte file size (1024k). I like keeping my camera maxxed out and resizing them to post here, so I still have the high-res pics for future reference.

Or you could post them to a Photobucket account and paste the IMG addresses to the forum (dunno if Photobucket has a max file size or not, though).

[cowcharge]

Damn, those are some shiny windows.

[znorm]

I hear 3M rubbing compound is the best. You can buy it at auto body store. Here is my progress.
s1309.beta.photobucket.com/user/64cozy1/library/?

[Deleted]

Sarahbella, Looks like things are moving along...looking good!

[tylerbes]

I really dont miss the polishing. Not sure how many hours you think you put in Smccusk but I am sure I hit over 100. But its really worth the time and effort. I have had mine out in the elements now for 2 years and the windows and drip caps still look great. after you paint and you start putting those poished items back on the camper... its really rewarding.

I am starting a second camper soon and I think the only thing I will do next time is to totally dismantal the window frames. I kept them together and it made sanding and polishing a royal PIA.

You are doing this trailer right, frame off is really the right way to go IMHO. well done.

Attachments:

[Deleted]

Tylerbes, Thanks!! Your Dome looks great! What you've done is the level I'm shooting for...been holding off on my interior pics but are coming soon.

[Deleted]

Hello All,

I just got back the dinette seats from the upholsterer and I'm very happy with the way they came out. I thought I would share...I'll post more pics when I'm done with the countertops, tabletop and dinette.

[harrison429]

Gorgeous!! I know that set you back a few bucks but omg, they are awesome and I love the color and style.

[Deleted]

Yes, that cost me a bit more than I wanted to spend. I figured the dinette is the focal point of the trailers interior...wanted to go the extra mile with the seats.

[Deleted]

For any that are interested I thought I'd supply links to the before pics and pictures of the journey thus far.

Before Pictures

www.flickr.com/photos/78802504@N08/sets/72157632873448343/

Work in Progress

www.flickr.com/photos/78802504@N08/sets/72157632877510528/

[Hamlet]

You will never be sorry for stretching the budget for those seats. They look great!

[Deleted]

I’ve been busy the last couple of weeks. In that time I built and installed the dinette cabinets, installed the black, grey and fresh tanks, ands rough wired the 12 volt and trailer lights. I’m shooting to be ready to install metal in April and hopefully paint in May. I still have a ways to go but It’s nice to see light at the end of the tunnel.

[mobiltec]

The white piping looks great...

[Hamlet]

WOW!

[Deleted]

Today I installed the countertop and backsplash, also mounted the dinette table. My plan is to finish up the wiring, plumbing and propane next week and then move on to insulation and Metal. Mobiltec mentioned that Hemet Valley RV has a 14’ break and can do the side panel with a 6” break pattern. The cost difference from a 4” break pattern and a 6” break pattern was $100. For that kind of cost difference I’m going with the 6” break.

[schweetcruisers]

Looking good, I think your the first one(in our group) to use the Wilson art boomerang.

[Deleted]

Schweet, Thanks...the countertop inspiration came from your trailer, down to the finish nails. You know your designs, Wilson art actually has a distribution facility in my town, no shipping costs, so it worked out well.

[cowcharge]

How's the Wilsonart stuff look close up? I read on a forum somewhere that someone wasn't happy with their printing quality.

[Deleted]

Cowcharge, This is the first time I've worked with any laminate, so I don't really have a good basis for comparison as far as differences in quality between brands. When I unrolled the 4x8 sheet I did notice that the pattern showed a 2x2 step and repeat so some overlap in the pattern was slightly visible. The boomerang pattern is a busy one, once I cut it up none of that was noticeable. The printing and satin finish looks fine. Overall I'm happy with the product.

[ModernMe]

Wow, beautiful job! Everything is looking awesome, especially those dinette cushions! Love the counters too. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

[tylerbes]

Well Done smccusk the interior is looking fantastic. I think you picked a home run with that wilsonart pattern. I also like the move of the cook-top. I am all about upgrades to make these campers more useful. Who the hell needs an oven and an ironing board when camping anyway!

[universalexports]

what edge trim did you use on and under the backspash? the whole thing looks to be lines with aluminum, I like it.

[Deleted]

Thanks all…just doing what I like. I’m an amateur for sure.

Universalexports, most of the trim came from www.outwatercatalogs.com, the cove was part # ALU141-PH, the end cap was ALU0204-S, and the face trim was ALU968-P. The table trim came from a vintage Fan camper persimapal passed along. I need to break out my good camera…it looks sharp, especially now that I have the chrome under counter lights in and face plates in.

[Deleted]

Check this out

I was just looking at the latest pics of the kitchen. I didn’t intentionally try to do this, but some how the wood grain on the new cabinet doors appears to match the wood grain on the wall panels on both upper cabinets.

[schweetcruisers]

Show off!

[Deleted]

lol, really, I just got lucky... that wall panel goes to the ceiling. It's not a cut out. Trust me, I'm a wood worker and know what a pita it would be to do that intentionally.