Wednesday, November 26, 2008

PAINT? Who'd a thunk it?

The further along we get with the remodel the more ideas we have. One that emerged recently was Paint. The walls were so dirty and dingy, sticky and yucky, drab and bland we wanted to spice her up a bit.

First I went to Lowe's and Home Depot to look for the perfect product to paint the vinyl clad walls and quickly found I was not at all comfortable with the answers I received about what products I should use. I wanted to know for a fact that the product I used would adhere to the vinyl and would not chip or peal. I read a post on airforums.com from someone that was a painter and suggested BM paint so I went to my local dealer. The people at Benjamin Moore really know what they are talking about and what questions to ask ME about MY project.






YUCK
and
EUU








Prep:
I scrubbed the walls several times with different products and nothing really did it. I applied TSP which is a No-Rinse, one-step concentrated cleaner and deglosser for prepaint surface preparation. I used a spray bottle and a scratchy scrubber to get into the texture of the walls then wiped with old towels. TSP removes grease, grime, mildew stains, food stains, crayon, dirt and smoke from painted or unpainted wood, metal or vinyl wallpaper. Will not harm aluminum.







WORKED LIKE A CHARM!

NICE AND CLEAN!








I then applied Benjamin Moore's GRIP and SEAL primer. I cut in first around windows and wall panels then blew through the rest with a roller.





TINTED
PRIMER








It finally warmed up enough for me to paint the top coat. It is WILD!
The color is called “Salsa” from Benjamin Moore it’s their "Aura" with Color Lock. It has low VOC and has virtually NO Fumes. I never once noticed the fumes while applying the primer or top coat. The low VOC paint from Benjamin Moore offers over 140 wonderful colors that all go together, no matter what colors you choose they are the will complement each other. The point being you can't go wrong with this paint! I LOVE IT.


This pictures is the most true to color of the pictures. It kind of looks like leather with the texture in the vinyl.

(you can click on any picture to see a larger view)

Jack is from the island of Samoa so we will decorate in a Polynesian Theme. We have a lot of things from the islands to decorate with. Makes sense to me!

We are very excited to be this far along although we have a long way to go. Hopefully we will be finished by spring for the 1st spring rally. That would be awesome!

No matter what stage our AS is in we us it, we go camping, we go to rallies. Our 1st rally we used a mattress from our guest room on the floor. No water/plumbing, toilet, no air conditioner, no stove, just a cabinet Jack had made and installed right before we left.

Each rally we've had a little more progress to show, a little more knowledge to share and a little more joy in our hearts.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

COUNTER TOP IS ON















This is our new sink. I love this space saving item.
I'm not sure of the name. We got from a friend that does living quarters for horse trailers.

It has a glass lid that folds up. (you can see the hinges) Inside the sink is a cutting board, dish pan, drainer and a utensil rack that hooks on the glass top to drain your knives forks and spoons into the sink. All this stores very nicely in the sink and is a huge space saver.
I will post more later on this sink.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Dry Fitting the Counter Top, Sink and Oven

Jack cut the openings on the counter top for the oven and sink. He sat the oven in to make sure it fit perfect before we get it laminated.
I can't wait for you guy's to see the sink we found...(with the help from our friends at "Whinny Cargo Conversions" )

Our Airstream From the Outside







A lot of you have mentioned that you have seen the inside but would like to see the outside of our 1976 Sovereign so here they are.
Once we are finished with the remodel we will polish the AS and wheels. Can't wait for that one.

Update on Water Hoses

A friend of ours looked at the Pex Pipe we had coming and going from the water pump and said "I wouldn't do that if I was you".... WHY? (We asked) "Because the Pex pipe is so ridged the vibration would be very loud." .... Well, we don't want that, so Jack removed the the Pex and replaced it with rubber flexible hose. Another 1 step forward 2 steps back. But I am glad we caught it before we have everything installed and buttoned up.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Plumbing with Pex Pipe

Jack has started the new plumbing using Pex Pipe. He says it's really easy once you get going. This picture shows the new hot and cold pipe and off and on valves to the bathroom shower and sink. The view you see here was shot from the back hatch of the Airstream looking to the inside.

NEW SHOWER FAUCET

Jack decided it was time for a new faucet since we basically have everything out of the bath and he is re-doing the plumbing.


We bought Moen shower faucet and added elbows and nipples to the hot and cold and a 4 1/2" nipple for the side of the tub that holds the shower hose and head. This will make the connection easier to get to next time if need be. (pray not)




Next he cut a piece of plywood to attach the inner workings to.This will attach from the backside/underneath of the shower for support.


He drilled holes in the shower to hold the new plywood and pilot holes to mount the faucet.

This is the finished product...we shouldn't have to worry about problems for a long while.