Framework Repairs - Rear

In this blog posting I would like to show you some of the work that was done to the actual framework, or bones as I like to call it, of this old boy! If you have been following you remember what we started with. Well, that back wall was removed and the skin was also removed to make  room for repairs. 

The back was opened up and "Lucky" was exposed!

This is the original flooring found under the bed/couch.

Lucky's bones has some damaged areas but not as much as we expected. Repairs were made so that it would once again be solid and strong and ready for another lifetime of travel!

The corners were made strong and sturdy once again.

After this was done new birch was fitted at the back wall and side areas.

The old birch was sanded and you will see how well they ended up matching!

Once this was done it was on to rebuilding the frame. All wood that had deterioated was replaced and the bones were checked to make sure they did not have rot and would last.

Lucky's rear was once again in A-OK shape! 

The finer things in life...it's all in the details!

When it comes to me, I happen to think the finer things in life are simple, easy and free. When it comes to old trailers they are rarely simple, hardly ever easy and it sure would be nice if all the supplies and time spent on them were free. One thing that I have learned is you have to pay attention to detail and that little things can mean more than you might think!

Lucky was so dirty when he arrived I am surprised I never referred to him as Pigpen. And that means that everything that came out of him was dirty as well. Here are a few photos of some of the little items and what they can end up looking like after sitting around for so many years...

This light wasn't too bad as you can see. The fiberglass shade
being in one piece was a lucky find!

Yep, gotta remove each and every one....then get out the elbow grease.
 Do you see some of that rust? I polished these til my arms almost fell off!

The pump faucet. It cleaned up nicely also!

Every piece has to be removed and cleaned!

The propane light came out beautiful after a good clean up! Amazing how dirty it was!

The grab handle was cleaned and shined!

The hammock brackets were all scrubbed clean!

These hinges and handles had varnish residue and dirt on them. All clean and shiny now!

For a good view of what they looked like after just go to the previous posts and zoom in...everything was put back all clean and shiny. 

The Icebox was a complete disaster! Still had old food in it! Here are some before and after photos!

The exterior door! Lots of scratches over the years!

Pulled it out, took it apart and began the stripping process.
I used airplane stripper. Expensive, but it does a nice job.

The inside was horrendous!

I am very satisfied with the results!

Now it actually looks like something you would want to store food in!

Lets take a look at the stove/oven shall we?

Gary sanded and cleaned the overhead draft hood. He was 

able to find a close match in color to the old one and it looks fantastic!

I disassembled the stove and cleaned all the gas fittings and the grates, etc. 

Those aluminum grease guards on the side and at the back were covered! These had to be taken down, all  grease removed and polished, polished, polished. 

Throughout the trailer all chrome/aluminum had to be cleaned up. This includes the strips of trim along the edge of the sink, the stove area and also the table. Believe me, these are not shiny when you find these trailers in a field or garage! With time, they lose their shine.

I find that Diamond Brite Truck Box Polish works the best for the smaller jobs. When I am cleaning the window frames, I often start out using Fast Cut and slowly going down to finer grades. 

The much coveted Shasta Magazine Rack was in great shape. Just needed to be sanded and shellaced again!

The propane light also turned out great, as did the overhead cupboard doors. One of original doors was broken where the handle fits in so I improvised in a way that would allow it to still blend with  the trailer, although not original, but look appealing to the eye. I used a cut out piece of birch at each handle and I think it looks great. I really didn't want to sacrifice those original doors just because one was broken. It is nearly impossible to replace them with originals!

Here are the overhead cabinets looking good again!

 This is where I made the repair. Attached the knob to birch attached to where the hole for the handle was.

 This is the original light. The shade is also original and it does have a break
around the lip but it still fits nice and snugly and should be good for a lot more years!

Before pic of the light. I wish I had remembered to get before pics of those doors!

The fire extinguisher holder was also intact. I removed it, cleaned it and after sanding and shellacing the wall I put it back in it's place! It always amazes me what a difference the elbow grease makes!

The ceiling vent was quite a funny contraption when Lucky first arrived. Had a string tied to the oven door to keep it closed! It was removed, polished, fixed and replaced along with the ceiling in that area due to the water damage.

 I love the way the ceiling turned out!

The cutting board was a major eyesore! Just one more thing to sand and shellac!

The trim around the wheel well covers in the rear that are exposed were dirtier than dirt! Gary made new ones to match the old and they were installed. The top of the street box cover was also beyond repair, so new birch was cut and shellaced to match and attached. It looks so much better! I really wish I had taken better before photos!

 You can kind of see it in this photo...and yes, the back skin was removed to repair the frame and wall!

Take note that in the above photo where the icebox drain hose goes there is no water damage! Yippee!

 The finished product! Much better than before!

The other thing that had to be rebuilt was the rear bed slide out. The wood was just too damaged and old to even consider saving it. I was able to save the front face piece. Here is the process...

The original was not shellaced, so I did not shellac this. It is a matter of personal preference, I guess,

but if it were me I would shellac mine. Since this is for sale I am trying to stick to original!

The tilt out drawer under the icebox was also quite damaged on the front.

 I pulled off the face, sanded the good wood and ended up turning it back into something that was pleasing to the eye!

Earlier, I showed you the water damage under the floor at the entry door. You know, because those  kids never remember to take their boots off before they come in!! Anyway, that area was rebuilt to make it solid and to outlast any kid you throw at it!

It is solid now! That panel at the side of the bench is also new birch. And while we are on the subject of the entryway, lets take a look at what the step looks like now! It was ground, cleaned and painted and it really makes the doorway pop now!

And this is just a small sampling of what was done! This baby was gone through with a fine tooth comb! I will show you the skin off repairs made to the frame and let's not forget the wings!!

Oh those wings just make Lucky fly and Lucky got lucky enough to have found someone that could repair them!  I carried those wings around in my car for weeks hoping to find someone to repair them. And after a little word of mouth they were saved. I do believe those wings need a blog posting of their very own!!!!

Until next time...