One of my all time favorite movies is the 1984 cult classic This is Spinal Tap. The movie is one of the earliest mockumentories made. In the movie you learn why a amplifier that goes to 11 is so much better than one that only goes to 10.
For years I have been saying "I am going to take it to eleven" in describing tasks I am about to preform. Rosie has been taken to ELEVEN folks.
She has been striped down as far as she can be. The only removable item now is the tongue jack. I might remove that too so that I can treat every single square centimeter for rust. Having gone this far, I might as well right? All the compromised metal has been cut out and new steel has been welded in. The restraining system for the new grey water tank has been fabricated and also welded in. The entire frame was aggressively wire brushed to remove all loose rust and original paint. She is bare bones folks, naked as the King in his new clothes. My next move will be to use a metal prep product by Por 15 then three, yes three, I am taking this to ELEVEN, coats of Por 15 frame treatment. All this material was supplied to me super fast by the very fine people at Vintage Trailer Supply. I will then follow up with two coats of oil based paint on the visible frame areas. Rosie will never be back for rust issues I can promise that. The weather is always in control, so I need to make sure I have two nice clear days to do this next step...
Sun
73°F | 62°F
Mon
75°F | 63°F
Tue
80°F | 64°F
But lookie here... Rosie, ya ready for a new set of underwear? Monday they are being put on you. That sounded kind of dirty, but the frame coating is a lot like under wear. You get the idea...
To jump forward and not let the weather hold me up I have obtained the new sub floor. I have cut all the sheets to width and length, but not cut out the curved ends, wheel wells, or plumbing access yet. I am using a marine grade plywood called Aquatex. This is an 18mm sheet made up of 15 ply of wood. The glue they use is 100% water proof and because all the ply it is very stable and flat. The wood they use for the plywood is a tropical species called Meranti. Though a marine plywood is a bit more costly than the CDX plywood most people use, it is worth the few extra dollars in the way it performs. Just to take it to ELEVEN, I then went on to seal all the edges and faces with a special sealer. Not telling what brand because they do not offer me any special service. Once the curves, etc, are cut those edges will be treated also.
Hope you liked this update, stay tuned for more progress this week.
It clearly takes an elevenfold effort to make a perfect ten. And you sure are cranking the input up to 11, Frank. Its good to get right back to the bare bones but it is a lot of work. Great to see the care you put in & if Rosie does make that perfect 10, its all down to that unseen work you're putting in now. Hope the weather holds... 'tis right proper over here in Blighty.
ReplyDeleteChris
That is going to be the best 1973 Safari on the road - or probably ever. Excellent stuff! I can't imagine you have much yard left that's free of Airstream parts though...
ReplyDeleteTom
Great progress! You made points with Craig with the Spinal Tap reference. Thanks for the update. TAC NY-123
ReplyDeleteI just love it when trailers get naked. :-)
ReplyDelete