Sunday, September 25, 2011

More September work

I wasn't able to get Gizmo finished to attend the Midwest Vintage trailer rally or the Heartland gathering in Indiana the following weekend. I was a little disappointed, but in a rush to finish I was getting a little aggravated with my project.

So here is the progress update:
Finished the front birch replacement, framing, insulation and reinstalled the skin
Floor - installed leveling goop on parts of the floor that had missing tile, installed a new plywood floor and the new VCT tile (glue is my enemy)
Back side - installed the birch and most of the framing (I messed up a little on the welting - will have to figure out later)
Reinstalled the curved shelf - replaced the side bracket that was rotted
Inside birch - sanded and applied some amber shellac
Reinstalled the curbside bench - replaced to boards that were rotted, resealed it
Cushions - made 1 large bench cushion in gray - my first attempt at piping - turned out OK for my first time - only three more cushions to go - jeesh
I made a flag banner to hang along the inside curved shelf.
I have someone helping me with the wiring, so I am waiting on him before I can finish reinstalling the skin.
I found a used small refrigerator at an estate sale for 20 bucks - good score. Then I also found an unused porti potti at the thrift store for 3.95 - even better score !!!!

Whats left - still waiting for the title, more framing on the driver side around the electrical and pipe, more framing on the backside (two horizontal pieces), adding some birch strips on the seams inside, replaced piping, wiring, reinstall windows and skin, install drip rail, paint the outside, install new tires, make three cushions, make curtains, paint inside of door - lots more to do. I hope to be able to go to an event in October in Indiana on 10/21. A few pictures:







Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Work continues

I don't have pictures but work continues
I used oil based kilz to cover the water damaged tiles - to seal them
I did the same for under the sink and front cabinet - there was a smell that I couldn't get rid off, so I wanted to seal the order. Turns out it was the plywood piece that was under the stove. So I took that out and replaced with a new piece of plywood.
I added some insulation to the roof of the closet area
I thought the curved piece of birch would be easy to replace - uh, not so much. I had to cut it to install in two pieces. One is up and I am learning things aren't square - duh.
I added the front small birch piece above the window, added a horizontal piece of frame in the front, and started rebuilding the framing by the closet - this area is taking way more time and work than I thought it would.
Boy oh boy, I have so much work to do before I go on her maiden voyage on September 13th to the Midwest Vintage Trailer rally. Still waiting for the title to come in the mail.
I bought a GPS - Garmin Nuvi - my first one . Figured I will need it - off to charge it up

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

More Demo

I was working on the front and did more demo than I thought it needed. But in typical fashion, once I opened it up, the more work needed to be done. It is a little scary to see it in that condition. I know it will all be worth it in the end. No need to cut corners.I hope I can put it back together the right way - AHHHH !!!!


Sunday, August 14, 2011

Status

It has been way to long since my last post. Work has been busy and it has been way to hot and rainy to work on the camper. I am making a little progress with the title. I got the appraisal and working on the bond. I called secretary of state and they are sending the right packet of forms to fill out. They said it will take 6 weeks to get once they get the paperwork. I don;t think I will get it before the September Midwest Vintage trailer rally. I also ordered the drip rail from House of camping - should come in a week or so. I hope I got the right stuff. I also got the plywood for the floor and the VCT (vinyl composite tile) I was going to go with a checkerboard of white and gray, but Menards only had a blue gray in stock - not the right color I wanted. So I went with a white with brown specks. I think this will be a nice neutral floor. I found a place on line that can customize spray paint to the same color as regular interior paint, so I will get this for the pink. I still need to figure out the final exterior paint scheme.

Camper status - There is more water damage at the front and roof area on the drivers side, so I needed to take off the upper portion of the skin on the drivers side to see what needs to be replaced. I got the front window and skin off. Looks like I will have to replace all the birch in the front. I will most likely have to remove the next layer of skin on the front to repair some damage and I will most likely replace the 5 amber lights. As much progress I think I am making, I see that there is SO much more to do.




Sunday, July 17, 2011

Driver side

I have spent more time working on the driver side framing. I have a little more birch inside to install, 2 more pieces. I had one rusted screw on the top side skin and had pulled the skin to look at the wood and it pulled through. So I have a larger hole in the skin that I will need to figure out later. I had to also start working on pulling the edge trim off the front up to the roof. I got some screws off around the front window and took off the drip rail. Rusted screws are a nightmare. SO I have about 3/4ths of the driver side framing replaced. The weather has been hot so I started using two tarps to create shade between the camper and the fence so it is a little easier to work. Still hot but easier not being under the sun. With moving towards the front end (inside it is the closet)there is more birch to be replaced that I thought. I might have to take the top skin off to see the condition of the wood at the top. I was hoping to not have to disturb the roof. But I need to fix everything that needs to be fixed.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Insulation

It has been a little time since I posted last. I have been working on it though. I worked on more framing over Fourth of July weekend - Boy it was hot. I tried to do some work inside where it was cooler - painting my living room yellow - had to prime and paint. That was a lot of work. I think I have to many projects going on.

So I have all the framing that needed to be replaced, done on the curb side. I also replaced the inside birch on the curbside. I still need to check out the front end. I installed the insulation on the curbside. That took a lot longer than I thought it would.



I also started replacing the rotted framing and birch on the drivers side. The bottom piece is really hard to get out. The screws are rusted and stripped. I will work on it later in the week. it is supposed to rain for the next few days.



I also went to the Secretary of State to get information on getting a title. Seems a little harder than I thought. I need to get a bond, appraisal, form and the tax form and fee. I have to call my insurance company and see if they have more answers to help me. I hope I get it in time for a Midwest Rally I signed up for in September.
http://n2vintage.tripod.com/

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Birch has been found

Not much progress - I cleaned up two more drip rails. They will need some finishing touches, so I have 4 of the 6 done. I finally found 1/8" Birch 4x8 panels at Owl Lumber in Oak Lawn. I also got some more pine - 1x3, 1x6 and 1x8's. I also picked up some denatured alcohol (to thin out the shellac)and some screw nails. I took out about half the screws on the drivers side, took out the fresh water fill hole, window drip rail, wheel well trim, all the window screws except 4 - rusted. The curbside birch is in pretty good shape except for the bottom. So instead of replacing all of it, I am going to cut the bottom off and replace it. It will be hidden by the bench. I cut the once piece out, cut new birch and put the amber shellac on it. This is a good piece to practice on. I will put the piece in and start adding more framing in the next few days. Spent about 200.00 bucks this weekend in supplies - mostly wood. Jeesshhh. Had to wrap her up because its supposed to rain tomorrow.