Airstream project:

[speeder]

Finally got a little time to tear into the 1963 Airstream trailer. I towed it to Minneapolis back on July 4th weekend and after another week back in L.A., finally got to it. I'm concentrating almost exclusively on the interior in this phase, replacing some bad subfloor and refinishing cabinets, etc. All curtains and other fabrics will be replaced as well.

I'm really lucky in that this trailer is mostly original and not missing any pieces inside. Most of the ones I look at on eBay or elsewhere online have major components long gone or in some cases are gutted. About the worst thing on mine is that the previous owner made a bad decision to coat all of the OG cabinetry w a poly type cherrywood colored goop and did a sloppy job on top of it.

I wasn't sure if I could get it off clean and waffled on whether I wanted to tackle a major wood stripping job inside an aluminum tube during the hottest part of summer. I even considered replacing all wood, (I hate the finish that much), but it would be a big, expensive job and impossible to match the OG perfectly. I'm a resto guy and an originality freak w most things. The way that Airstream interiors were made in those days, (up until 1969 w the '60s being the peak of craftsmanship), was phenomenal. Wally Bynam's philosophy of lightweight but extremely high quality interiors made for the best plywood construction I've ever seen. It's like a cost-no-object sailboat from Scandinavia or something. All materials are as thin as they can be while still being very strong.

I did an experiment and found that the poly crap came off pretty easily w common stripper, so off I went on a toxic journey. The thing about stripping finishes, (besides wearing a respirator and protective clothing), is to get ALL of it off in the stripping process and minimize sanding. If you do it right w the right scrapers, sanding is all but unnecessary. I hate sanding. The bare wood will get oiled or clear stained, it is a really nice oak plywood from the good old days when everything was old growth.

I'll post more pics as it progresses.

This would be a "before" picture w small stripped area on lower right:


Here is some partial progress showing original paneling:



This is a sample of the crap finish:



Bad flooring under couch, probably from window leaking. I'm going through all of the windows and making sure they function and seal properly:



Beautiful flush drawers under couch, these are huge. There is a ton of storage in this thing:

[speeder]

And as for the old linoleum flooring, the greenish stuff is backing from the carpet that was in it for decades and the black is flooring glue or mastic, almost certainly asbestos. It was cleaned out carefully w water mist and a good respirator, it's now all covered. Not exactly sure how I'm ultimately going to deal w it, there is no awesome and easy solution. Probably just cover again w new carpet.

[speeder]

[speeder]

BTW, when it comes to "Aluminum Lug Nut Syndrome", Porsche had nothing on this American entrepreneur. It was used everywhere humanly possible in this thing, down to fasteners, etc.

[red-beard]

You need to get connected with "Airstream Addicts" on Facebook. They have a lot of good resources and are all originally freaks.

IF you want a really good power system, we make hybrid solar energy systems. We even have flexible, adhesive attached solar panels. The smallest will power a 30A RV. The next size up will power most full RVs.

[Tobra]

Looks like it is cleaning up okay, that cherry crap was a bit dark. What is the finish supposed to be? I bet that 50 year old wood soaks up gallons of oil.

[herr_oberst]

I wish I had the ambition to take on a project like that....

Keep us in the loop, Denis, and we'll keep you motivated while we live our vicarious lives....

[craigster59]

You need to hook up with my Buddy Johnny Agnew from Funky Junk Farms. Teamster driver in Hollywood, has a ton of vintage trailer stuff and even more knowledge. He's up in Altadena. Major motorhead and a real great guy. Let me know if you need his contact info.

[creaturecat]

nice project.
i'm with herr_o.
........ wishing that i was as ambitious.

[red-beard]

I'm split between buying a late model, lightly used (2010-2014) or a project. The nice thing about the project, it will be fixed up exactly the way I want.

If I were to go the project route I would:

Take the camper off the frame
Build a new frame in 5052 aluminum, are as much as possible.
On rebuilding the inside, I would sacrifice a little interior space to extra insulation.
Top would be left alone with flexible solar panels glued down.
Air conditioning: ditch the standard model for a mini-split style
Power system: our Mi-Grid 500
Interior: super light materials

[speeder]

Originally Posted by red-beard

You need to get connected with "Airstream Addicts" on Facebook. They have a lot of good resources and are all originally freaks.

IF you want a really good power system, we make hybrid solar energy systems. We even have flexible, adhesive attached solar panels. The smallest will power a 30A RV. The next size up will power most full RVs.

Really appreciate this, I may be reaching out to you on that. For now, I'm just trying to get it nice inside and mouse-proof but solar is interesting. Thx

[speeder]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I'm split between buying a late model, lightly used (2010-2014) or a project. The nice thing about the project, it will be fixed up exactly the way I want.

If I were to go the project route I would:

Take the camper off the frame
Build a new frame in 5052 aluminum, are as much as possible.
On rebuilding the inside, I would sacrifice a little interior space to extra insulation.
Top would be left alone with flexible solar panels glued down.
Air conditioning: ditch the standard model for a mini-split style
Power system: our Mi-Grid 500
Interior: super light materials

A late model trailer would be in great shape and plug-and-play. You also would not have to feel bad modifying it. I could not handle any exterior or interior changes on this one, I'm going to put a small stand alone type A/C unit in it and vent out a window.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by craigster59

You need to hook up with my Buddy Johnny Agnew from Funky Junk Farms. Teamster driver in Hollywood, has a ton of vintage trailer stuff and even more knowledge. He's up in Altadena. Major motorhead and a real great guy. Let me know if you need his contact info.

Thanks, I'll get back to you on that. I'm doing ok at the moment but will need some parts.

[craigster59]

Whatever sweat equity you put into it you will get $$$ out of it. Being friends with Johnny and other trailer enthusiasts I have seen these vintage trailers appreciate, almost rivaling the 911 market.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I'm split between buying a late model, lightly used (2010-2014) or a project. The nice thing about the project, it will be fixed up exactly the way I want.

I'm of similar mind, only I'm thinking of a Class B. I had a 19' Roadtrek for a few years. Never used the micro wave, hardly used the cook top, used the refrigerator as an ice box - never could get it to cool properly. I hated the tiny, weird shower. So if I built a project it would have a queen bed, decent shower, one burner for cooking, no space wasted for a microwave, and a for real icebox , and most importantly a little more space to move around in.

[creaturecat]

i am liking this small unit:




https://gearjunkie.com/dub-box-camper-trailer

[KevinP73]

Awesom project Denis. I love those things. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Charles Freeborn]

Before you get too far have a good look at the subfloor and search for rot. AS trailers have a curious construction that traps the plywood floor in a channel. It collects water and then rots out. I have photos from the factory somewhere- they still build them the same way. I worked for a custom mod shop for a bit. "Timeless Trailers" in CO does cool things with them. The outfit I was with is "Ultimate Airstreams" here in OR. Not sure if they're still in business.

[Evans, Marv]

Great project. Congrats on making the effort & investment to return it to it's former glory. After looking at the stripped panels, I can't imagine why anybody would screw them up so badly as the PO did. Keep up the good work!!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Before you get too far have a good look at the subfloor and search for rot. AS trailers have a curious construction that traps the plywood floor in a channel. It collects water and then rots out. I have photos from the factory somewhere- they still build them the same way. I worked for a custom mod shop for a bit. "Timeless Trailers" in CO does cool things with them. The outfit I was with is "Ultimate Airstreams" here in OR. Not sure if they're still in business.

So far, the only rot I've seen is in the front where I pictured it. I'm going to rip out that piece today and get a new one cut and installed. I'm not equipped in any way to remove the body from the frame right now and really not interested in doing it. Also not interested in modding the trailer but to each their own.

I may reach out to you when I run into speed bumps, if that's ok.