Reply to: RE: [VAC] New floor
One thing that often happens on a shell off restoration, is that after the shell gets
removed, the tendency is to remove the the existing floor and insulation, clean-up the
frame, stand back and admire your work - and then realize as you start to lay down a
new floor that you have no idea what the original floor outline was!
You can guess and come close based on the outrigger ends (but was it flush, in a 1/2",
or did it stick over?), and where did it ended at the front and back?
Best bet is to either:
1- make a template
2- cut the new floor before removing the old
3- or don't remove the shell at all, but instead replace the floor in 4 foot sections
with staggered seams running fore and aft.
No matter if you replace in sections or do a shell off, you will have to get between
the inner & outer skin to get to the fastener heads in the U channel.
Four Methods seem to be used.
1- remove the interior rivets up about 12" to loosen the inner skin for access.
2- cut the inner skin all around about 6" up and splice back on when done (I've never
seen this work well, as you end up having to install a lot of fasteners to get the two
sides to even out, plus often it just looks like hell.)
3- Cut little squares out at each fastener location, and then install Zolatone painted
plates back over each hole (this looked very nicely done). This method still required
loosening the inner skin up to get the old heads and crap out of the channel and to
locate the fastener locations.
4- Install 1/4" blind moly fasteners up from the bottom. This usually results in
extra holes in the U channel, as the holes in the frame and the new holes you drill in
the plywood rarely match up with the existing U channel holes. And you still have to
loosen the skin to clean out the channel.
Anyone else got any methods while we are on the subject?
RJ
VintageAirstream.com>
Todd and Carla wrote:
>Hi >
>I am new again to the VAC. I used this great sevice all through the last
>two restorations and I think I should have quit then. The reason I say
>that, I just bought a 56 Ohio bubble and had to take the floor clear out. >I now have
>a beutiful bubble shell and frame. what are my options? I have
>heard of taking the body off but dont know anyone who has done it. Thanks
>in advance and great to be back.
>
>Todd McCay
>
>64 Overlander
>66 Safari
>70 Sovereign
>56 Bubble (shell only)
>
To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to
http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html
If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original
text from your reply.
