"AIRSTREAM REMODEL"

PAINT? Who'd a thunk it?

2008-11-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

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.

COUNTER TOP IS ON

2008-10-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Dry Fitting the Counter Top, Sink and Oven

2008-10-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-08T11:51:00.001-07:00

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.

Plumbing with Pex Pipe

2008-10-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

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.

ON TO THE HOT WATER HEATER

2008-09-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is white water heater door painted with Rust-oleum Metallic finish. It blends in pretty well. We will have to cut the trim piece to fit on either side of the new door.

Below are the products I used. I wiped the white door down with Acetone, sanded with a fine grit sand block, re-wiped with acetone, let it dry , made sure no dirt or lent was left on door, then I applied the Rust-oleum primer (2 coats) then applied the Rust-oleum Metallic finish. (3 coats).

We had to remove the trim around the rear bottom of the street side to get the old water heater out. What a hassle!

The opening is 16"X16" (I think) Atwood has a 16X16 10 gallon water heater that fit perfect in the whole left by the old heater.

It was a bit of a snug fit but Jack held his mouth just right and got it to go.

It looks like it will work...Don't have her buttoned up yet but tomorrow is another day.

OOPS! looks like some modifications are in order. The new water heater comes below the trim and the door is WHITE!

A quick look at the hot water heater from the inside. Jack has install a bypass on the heater.

NEW POWER CONVERTER

2008-09-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is our new converter. The old one still worked but was noisy. This way we don't have to worry about coming back next year and have to replace it. Might as well do it all while you can get to it!

Jack built a ledge to hold the water pump and help support the new converter.

The new converter and pump in place. It's been a very successful week.

Now on to the Pex Pipe and new water heater.

NEW FUSE PANEL

2008-09-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Jack installed our new fuse panel. It holds more fuses than we need but we can easily add more low voltage lighting if we want.
If a fuse blows a red LED light will light up on the panel to let us know which fuse is blown. We will be able to reach them from the side of the oven wall.
It also has a dark plastic cover that protects the fuses. (not shown)

This picture shows the old fuse panel and the new fuse panel. The old panel held the older glass fuses the new panel had the newer plastic automotive fuses.

Jack installing the old wiring to the new fuse panel. Along with with positive and negative to run the new converter which is sitting on the shelve in this picture.

This is a view from the back of the fuse panel.
Jack added a 50amp breaker a long side of the fuse panel for the Airstream jack.

The wiring will be taped and wrapped all nice and neat.

YEAH! THE TUB IS OUT!

2008-09-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah! We've been trying to get that tub out, off and on for 3 months.
After trying different solutions to remove the tub drain we ended up buying an expensive tool from Lowe's to remove it. …..the problem is it didn't work either! The + inside the drain broke so Jack took out his trusty compact hack saw and carefully cut through the drain.

He removed the old drain with a pair of pliers careful not to drop any pieces in the drain pipe.

Much to our delight the tub came right out....with a little nudging.

The deciding factor was water leaks behind the tub. I tried to winterize it myself from directions given to me by a friend. He failed to mention blowing the remaining water out with an air hose which caused our cooper pipe to expand and burst during the winter. This forced us to remove the tub no matter what it took.

Now that we can get to all the plumbing we will replace all water pipe with Pex. We both feel SO much better about that. The idea of patching the water pipes here and there was un-nerving to us.

The way we look at it, the tub is out, the stool is out, the walls are down, why not do it right. We may even replace the hot water heater while were at it. Better now than later.

Cabinets Are sort of in..

2008-09-02T19:16:00.001-07:00

We/Jack installed the cabinets and secured them so we could go to the "Silver, Stars and Stripes Rally" at Meramec State Park, August 21st thru the 24th. It was our 1st Rally and we had a blast!

We finally go the tub out and are going to pull the cabinets back out and re-run the water lines with Pex pipe. I guess we will start that this week and then finish up the cabinets after that. MUCH MORE work than I ever thought!

Kitchen Cabinets are Almost Ready

2008-08-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Jack worked so hard trying to get the cabinets in before the Meramec Rally.

This is a picture of the new bath wall and furnace area.

He did get the bedroom wall up and the cabinets around the fridge. HOWEVER...the fridge didn't work at camp....It worked last year...I guess we will get a new one while were at it while we can still remove the surround without any problem.

Did I mention the air which worked last year didn't work either....

Jack securing the sink cabinets and oven counter before the trip.
We did have the top on which was a life saver for work space.

The fridge surround frame.

The cabinet shop that we are working out of is closed for

2008-08-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

We decided to 45 the corner. I am so excited about the storage under the seats for bedding and pillows!

I guess we better step it up a notch. We attend our 1st Rally a week from Thursday and I still need a kitchen!

2008-08-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is how we left it Monday night. I think he did a pretty good job.

2008-08-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

We finally got started on the dinette! After much thinking this is what Jack decided to do in the corners for the best support. After all this thing will be seating and bedding our big butts!

PEDESTAL AND STOOL ARE IN!

2008-07-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

HE FINALLY DID IT! Man, these stools are a mutha to install. It wouldn't have been so bad if he had Stretch Armstrong's arms and the hands of a toddler...

Jack built a pedestal for the "Thrown" since we are both a bit handicap when it comes to getting down that low and . . .I'm sure you will all agree...it's real important to be able to go potty.

Jack is doing great with his hip replacement as you can see from this picture he's on his knees. WOW! He hasn't been able to do that in years. You go boy!

She's gutted and the new floor is installed.

2008-05-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

We finally got everthing out back all the way to the bathroom with the exception of the fridge. What a JOB!

Jack had to have a total hip replacement. He is doing great now and is able to work on the Crappy Camper as you can tell from the picture.

We will frame around the fridge the size of a new fridge in case this one fails. Knock on wood.

We will replace front panels of Fridge with Black plastic or fabric of some sort. I would like to make it match the black appliances and range hood we have ordered.

This is taking WAY longer than I ever imagined.

Repairing the sub floor

2008-01-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

Finally! We are now ready to start where we were when we started. Huh? Before we ran into the rotted floor.

This weekend we will be tearing out cabinets in the kitchen and the bedroom. AND if we have time start laying the new floor.

Replacing the insulation

2008-01-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

After we achieved a perfect fit on the cross member Jack replaced the insulation.

Bottom scoring on 2X10 cross member

2008-01-11T15:30:00.001-08:00

This is how we scored the bottom of the 2x10 to fit the frame . It fit like a dream.

Support for dining booth

2008-01-11T15:07:00.001-08:00

We felt we really needed to beef up the floor where the lounge used to be. So Jack cut and placed a 2x10 as a cross member on top of the frame. This will support the sub floor for the dining booth.

1st day of remodel

2008-01-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

Well today was a very exciting day. Today we started ripping out stuff.
There was a platform on the floor where the couch was that was about 2" higher than the rest of the floor. Today we removed it and found that this platform was a very lousy attempt at repairing a floor that was rotten. From what we could tell t he window has been leaking for, oh let's say. . .TEN YEARS. We tore the old floor out up to the first cross beam and will replace it with plywood tomorrow along with new insulation.

Above the Bed Storage

2008-01-01T19:07:00.000-08:00

This is the storage compartment over the curbside bed.
They are in fantastic shape but must go.

If anyone needs parts for a 1976 31' Airstream Sovereign
we will have quite a few to get rid of.

Let me know if you are interested in any thing.

Center Bedroom (Before Remodel)

2008-01-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Once again the room is a mess. These are the only pictures I have of the inside until we start removing the interior.

I peeled all the lose wall covering off. We are replacing it with a vinyl that looks like buckskin and has a foam backing so it doesn't show flaws in the wood and will hide screw heads if that situation arises.

I will take a picture of the product and post it for you to see.

Bathroom (before remodel)

2008-01-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is the bathroom of our Airstream. It is all original as is the rest of the trailer. I think we will leave it the way it is accept for the floor and a new shower head.

I am an old Hippy so this room has a special place in my heart. I like it's funkyness and the groovy walls man!

View of kitchen and Bedroom (before)

2008-01-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the kitchen and bedroom.
I wasn't going to post this picture because of the mess but it will make the remodel transformation pictures much more dramatic. :-)

The old tambour doors only open about 6" the stove is working but really ugly and out dated.

The floor is original parque. We have thought about refinishing it but will probably lay a floating floor over it. all the way to the way back.

The Fridge will have new black panels installed to match the new black Stove. That's the plan right now but at this stage everything is up for discussion.

View From Bedroom to Living Area (Before)

2008-01-01T16:49:00.001-08:00

This is a view of the front of our Airstream. It's a mess I know but we were loading up to leave camp.
The cabinet over the window and ceiling are in good shape and I hesitate to remove the unit and replace it with an updated wood storage compartment but the company that is doing the remodel seem to think it would be best for aesthetic reasons.

Window Bubbles

2008-01-01T10:31:00.001-08:00

We have seen this a lot on Airstream Trailers that were manufactured in the 70's.

From what I understand they placed a sheet of reflective film between the double pane windows. This worked great until it started to deteriorate. The result is what looks like bubbles in the glass. These bubbles will continue to decline until they look like shards of glass between the windows.
Some Airstream owners cover the glass with masking tape and break one of the double pane glass out to resolve this problem.
The thing I don't like about this is it leaves you with ONE PANE of glass which is not as sound proof or insulated as with the double. It does look better so I guess you have to go with whatever is important to you.

We found a GREAT solution to this problem so you can have the best of both worlds.

Look for our "how to" coming soon!

BUYER BEWARE

2008-01-01T09:38:00.001-08:00

When we bought out Airstream in July of 2007 the seller mentioned it had new tires. WELL this was a plus.
We bought the Airstream, pulled it from Kansas to Southwest Missouri on the highway at a high rate of speed (70 mph it pulled like a dream) everything was fine.
I took it to our Favorite tire store to have them grease the bearings and do a tire inspection just to be safe.
What they found was four 2 PLY PASSENGER TIRES. It cost us over $400 to replace them with 8 ply. We could have had a blowout and crashed! Please check or have your tires checked to make sure the are the right ply for your trailer. Better to be safe than sorry.

WHEN BUYING A USED AIRSTREAM MAKE SURE THE TIRES ARE CLASSIFIED FOR YOUR PULLING AND HAULING WEIGHT.