Things are happening! It was a long cold winter. Building the cabinets helped pass the time but it wasn't until the warmer weather that things got chugging. Once the temperature reached 10C (50F) I was able to caulk all the seams as well as rivets. Yes, every rivet has been caulked on the inside of the trailer. Every seam, too. This baby ain't gonna leak, that is for sure. I'm sure I've used 10 or 15 tubes by now.
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| Partially completed |
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| The 'camo' patch |
Airstreams leak. Even though the mystery surrounding these trailers says otherwise, don't fall for it. Especially when they're 45 years old. The rear end of these trailers are particularly bad. I fixed the problem with a TON of caulking, added aluminum patches inside and out, and then did a little camouflage work with a cover patch. It worked out pretty well, I'd say.
A few other highlights! The badges are all on and the word "AIRSTREAM" is emblazoned fore and aft. The rock guard has been re-built and affixed over the front windows. The new AC arrived in record time and now sits on the roof. I had to make a few 'trusses' to keep the roof from sagging. Check them out! I thought it was an elegant solution.
Yesterday, I started applying insulation behind the front and rear end-caps. Ethan is here—and a good thing, too as he carried the AC up the ladder (70lbs—this lad has muscles) and helped press the rear-end cap into place.
Progress happens in tiny increments, day by day. I've been at this a year and a half and have started wondering
what I'm going to do when the Airstream is completed. I'm sure my darling has been compiling a list, although I must say, I've kept up with the requests so far. I guess I can't spend
all my time on the silver beast.
As far as the myth of linear progress, right now, I'm reveling in it. I have yet to make an error that demands I take stuff apart and start over. Jinxed? All appendages crossed, wood knocked and prayers to benevolent deities done.
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| You may have noticed there's no more silver paint on the aluminum. Another job completed! |
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| Letters painted and clear coat applied. |
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| I built the 'truss' out of aluminum stock and cut the wood on the bandsaw. It worked! |
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| The trusses doing their job. |
