Longing for More Awning Memories

There is something special about sitting outside under an Airstream awning.

Maybe it is the friends that stop by to visit, sitting back in our comfy folding chairs and making plans for the day.  In the morning, I know I can sit outside under my awning enjoying gentle sunrises and the smell of bacon cooking over a camp stove.  Or during the mid-day heat, we can sit and breathe - and not be rushing around in the frenzy that is normal daily life.  Maybe the special feeling comes from a cooling breeze.  And at the darkest part of our evenings, I love to hear the guffaws and tinkling laughs of some of my favorite people.


And I am thinking about all these times now.

Our now-polished awning rail for our vintage Airstream awning rail is re- installed.
The aluminum was buffed after the awning rail was removed.

Cleco fasteners hold the polished awning rail in place.

Windows - We've Got Windows! - Part 2 - Rear and Front

Our plans for how we use our vintage Airstream are to enjoy our time - as we currently do with our 2008 CCD.

We rarely use full hook-ups.  We do enjoy traveling and camping in the hot summer months, so we do look for sites with electricity to get some sleep.  We boondock and enjoy staying at remote locations without electricity where ventilation is key to our comfort.  Like the cutest shoe, if uncomfortable - then it won't get used.

All all these are considerations when buying an Airstream, and I'd highly recommend renting a trailer before buying one, as it helped me to understand the comforts I needed, wanted, and what options are merely a waste of time/space/money.

At the rear of the trailer, the large window provides an emergency exit.  When towing, the rear window also provides a clear line of sight to the road behind the trailer. Currently, this feature is no longer available from Airstream, and is another reason we wanted a vintage trailer.

Set inside the trailer the "back-window" of the jalousie window is cleaned up and has a new screen.

The "back-window" of the rear window is cleaned up with new gasket and new screen. The mullions will be attached after they are powder coated.

The aluminum mullions and frames are polished and new glass is inserted into the rebuilt frame with new gaskets.

 

Cleco fasteners are inserted hold the front jalousie window (old glass was removed).

The window edges were taped to be ready for Vulkem caulk and buck rivets.

The jalousie window is riveted to the Airstream shell.

Vent-A-Lation

After removing our original vents, Colin called to check on where we wanted our vent and fan placements.  We are keeping the same vent hole locations on the roof, yet one of our vent covers is very special.  We've decided to place the solid vent covers at the front and back of our 1955 Flying Cloud.  And we are terribly lucky to have a Hehr.

The exterior of the skylight vent cover is polished and ready to install near the center adding light to our kitchen while we are boondocking.

Panel or Not to Panel - That is the Question

Vintage Aluminum and Vintage Airstream have such an appeal!

When visiting our trailer at Colin's shop - we looked over the entire skin of our 1955 Flying Cloud.  We were better able to see what the photos showed about the one panel that was obviously damaged.  The curb-side panel behind the door was "buggered up" from exploding rivets.  To best love our trailer, especially when we sat outside with friends, that at least one panel would need to be replaced.  And so the decision was made early into the restoration.

Polishing was started.

Now with the first cut of polishing complete on the lower body aluminum, we have another decision.  From repairs and improvements on our stationary home, we've learned about the while-we-are-working-here-anyway syndrome.

The street-side lower oxidized aluminum looked good, but the polishing has revealed deep scratches into the panel.  The rub marks looks like a bush or tree repeatably and violently scarred through the Alclad.

First Look at the Aluminum - Polishing First Cut

Our first day of polishing - what an exciting day!
I can't wait to see more of the shiny aluminum!!

Jalousie Window and More Are Polished

Colin's guys have polished the window frames before they are riveted back onto our vintage Airstream.
Polishing the window frames off the trailer is a more thorough way of getting the aluminum to shine.
And it is much easier not reaching over your head and awkward angles - time and money saving!

Some parts are acid washed before they are polished.

One of my favorite things about our 1955 Flying Cloud is the front Jalousie window.
Ok, I know I probably will list at least 50 favorite things, but I do love the cooling breezes that will enter from the front window - even during a summer rain shower.
The glass was removed for the aluminum frame to be polished.

Polished - it is so beautiful!

Also polished are the openings where the newly polished window frames will be attached. 

Even the door gutter is polished and ready to rivet to the soon to be polished shell.

More photos.

Banana Wrap - Front

At the bottom front and rear of the 1955 Flying Cloud is a strip of metal called the banana wrap.  Photos.

Like many 1950 era Airstream trailers, the front banana wrap was dinged and dented from road debris.
The metal was pounded back into good shape, and is polished.

Seeing the World Shine!

 Leaning on the ShopSmith are our original windows - removed from the shell December 14th 2009.

 The old caulk, Volkem, and seals were removed before the polishing was started.

 Shine is coming!

Oh so very shiny!