Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Windows, ahhhh

I really like the raw aluminum.  I am having a heck of a time deciding on how to paint it because of that.  

Sunset reflections are not quite as spectacular on the Shasta as it is the Airstream.  But I still thought it was nice.  The windows are just temped in, thus the yellow tape for keeping water out.  (Temped in with screws!)

I know this isn't a very attractive picture of the back.  But oh how I love this new window.   You would never guess it was from another trailer.  Derald did such an excellent job cutting it down to match the other original windows.

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Again, just a few screws holding it in place until the new metal is ready.  But look at the fantastic light that I will have.  

Don't be deceived by how big it appears to be inside.  That is the water tank on the floor.



And the mosquitos start to let us know it is time to pack it up until tomorrow.  

Monday, September 29, 2014

Additive or Subtractive

We have been in the Subtractive mode so far working on Gracie.  She is gutted and bare.  I think we are nearly to the additive stage!  The flooring should arrive in the next week.  The rotten wood areas are almost 100% removed.  I say almost because we would have to take all the skin off to check the entire structure, and that wasn't happening!
All the paneling off this street side.

The floor clear of tile residue.

Brand spanking new step!

Kitchen wall repaired and rotten wood removed and replaced (and beefed up).  

Back of trailer still in repair mode.  Derald is going to replace that bottom section of exterior.  We no longer will have the huge access door.  But, the floor has to be installed and the refrigerator needs to be INSIDE the trailer.  It won't fit through the door or a window opening.  So this back end has some work to be done before the trailer can be closed up.

A little Salida Prayer Flag action.

This is the last hunk of paneling to be removed.  I tugged and pulled on that sucker and it just won't budge.  It has to be pulled off in layers, but I have picked and pulled and can't get that top layer to start to peel.  I think Derald will have to tackle it.


This is the front corner where the water tank was.  New wood framing now, and the wall is connecting to the floor frame again.  That small corner area is going to be covered, and it is secure.  Not pretty….but okay.  


This front area was a challenge.  The trailer was out of line and the skin had sagged down.  To be expected with a 1969 trailer,  a 45 year old gal.  But Derald had to study other posts from blogs to see what is was originally supposed to look like.  Thank goodness for blogs and computer access for sharing information.  And this is why I am creating this blog, to share what we have done for others to use….or avoid!  

My new step!  Loving this little trailer already.  Another huge THANK YOU to my wonderful husband.  

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Gracie's big MOVE!

I came home from church this morning and Gracie was missing!  Derald and Travis were sitting in the driveway smiling.  Derald said someone drove by and offered him $3,000 and he sold her!  That stinker.  

Gracie is safely nestled in the back yard.  It will drive our neighbors crazy.  They all stop by sometimes twice a day to see what is going on with the trailer!  Now the ladies across the street want a trailer.

The sun is setting on another beautiful fall day in MO.

Woody has been so darn lonely without Jill, we wanted to be in the backyard so he has company while we are working.  He loves the idea.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

A little Shasta History




In 1941, when Californian Robert Gray built the first Shasta house trailer to be used as mobile military housing, he had no idea his homes on wheels would play a major role in establishing a billion dollar industry. Or that the little trailers would spark wanderlust in Americans that would carry them across the miles and into the next century. Shasta was, and remains, an important player in the ultimate American Dream the freedom and desire to roam, explore, and enjoy well-earned leisure time with the people we love.


In the 1950s and 60s, the toaster-on-wheels look of the original Shasta trailer was the most recognizable shape on the road. There were other RV brands, but only Shasta was distinguished by those wings that signified flight and freedom. Through the 1960s and 70s, RVs became bigger and better with more amenities, Americas burgeoning highway system evolved into interstates, and the wanderlust grew ever stronger. In the 80s and 90s RVs continued to evolve into safer, more sophisticated homes away from home with more features and greater comfort. Today, 60 years and three generations of Shasta owners later, Americans have the desire to travel like never before. Motivated by the rediscovery of our families and renewal of ourselves, we still respond to the call of the road.

In terms of product, the company has come a long way from toasters on wheels. Todays Shastas have sleek profiles and amenities like slideouts that were unimaginable a generation ago. Yet it is the memorable image of the little trailer with wings that brings each of us something no other manufacturer has to offer nostalgia. The original Shasta logo, which has become an integral part of the company's current advertising campaign, reminds people of Shasta?s heritage of freedom, flight and family. In 1977, Wings RV Club was founded as a means for Shasta owners to share camping experiences. Since then, the club has grown dramatically to include members across the country. Rallies have been held in many states and trips have been sponsored throughout North America. Over the years, some families have owned as many as eight Shasta products which were enjoyed by three, or even four generations of RV travelers. It is this loyal nucleus of owners who keep Shastas corner of the American dream alive and growing.
As the industry's longest continuous producer of recreational vehicles, Shasta has manufactured hundreds of thousands of RVs. The Elkhart, Indiana-based company produces mini motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels in three state-of-the art manufacturing facilities totaling 150,000 square feet.
Shasta has earned its success in the best possible way through experience. The company?s respected name prevails in today?s fast-moving RV industry because of that experience combined with a strong, service-oriented dealer network and a loyal, repeat-customer base. Shasta is proud of its longevity. The company's goal is to continue to listen, to create and to improve its ability to satisfy Americas wanderlust.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Floor Prep 101

When the tile came up it left this nasty thick paper backing.  Derald removed it today.  The floor was 'oh so sticky', I found out after prancing around oooohing and ahhhhing.  





Tuesday, September 23, 2014

I am so excited to have the selection of upholstery and flooring.  Whew, for such a small trailer, it is a BIG DEAL to pick out all the soft goods and flooring.  The flooring is a commercial grade sheet vinyl.  Rather retro I think.  Derald actually picked it out.  The turquoise and oyster material is some kine of recycled leather/vinyl stuff that looks a lot like leather.  It is for the cushions.  The dark grey is for the underneath of the cushions.  Derald put the metal sample in for the trim of the cabinets and woodwork.  I will take a photo of the birch panels when it dries.  I just finished the third coat today on my sample.  It will need to be buffed with steel wool.  12 sheets of birch will need to be finished!  Yicks.  

Framing and BABY MOONS

New window in….and out.  To stabilize the back and repair wood rot areas, Derald removed the back exterior panel.  The new/old window is safely stored in the garage.  

This is new framework for the door.  The Shasta's are not made like those Airstreams.  
More new framing added for door support.


The GREAT part about this photo is not the wobbly door, but the NEW BABY MOONS!!!  They arrived today. SWEET!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

New window from an old window!

This was the window that the PO gave us to replace the missing window in the back of the trailer.  After careful measuring, Derald discovered it was too wide to fit.  The panel would have either gone beyond in bunk on top or below the curve on the bottom.  So….he decided to just 'cut it down to size'.  Amazing.

While I was gone delivering art work to a gallery, he disassembled the window completely and cleaned it thoroughly.

He cut it down to size.

He assembled all the polished up parts and wal-la  A NEW WINDOW!!!  Amazing.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

CO


Just a good morning photo of the aspens fall golden color in CO! 





Monday, September 15, 2014

Excuses

I have several pretty good excuses why I am behind posting for the Shasta.  I was out of town for the Marceline Plein Air for Oil Painters of America (OPA) event last weekend.  This weekend I had the Brush Creek Plein Air event.  So….here is my proof!

This is some kind of an old coal storage unit for the railroad.  It is on the list of historic buildings.  I have painted it twice, but this time I was fortunate to sell the work.


This is the only photo I have of the painting.  I should have photographed it better before I let it go.  The blue taped edge was pulled off to show natural wood.  I was very pleased with it.

This was a painter for the Brush Creek event.  He was the subject for several artist.  I was set up to paint the scene, and had my notan done before he arrived.  So I chose to leave him out.  
Minus the canoe.
This was my three paintings I did.  I only took two frames, but had time to do a third one.  Thus the black clip holding the painting of the truck.  It was a pleasant day with friends.  And to ice the cake, I sold one.

The day was perfect for plein air.  



Meanwhile back at the ranch, Derald was stripping paint off the exterior.  The trailer really looks great just plain aluminum.  

You can see the shadow of the wing.  Looks are deceiving on this picture,  she really is small!

The Refrigerator

We drove just North of St. Joseph for this little Dometic refrigerator.  A new one would run around $800, but we found this one for $100, plus the drive.  It smelled like a bait box…but all that can be cleaned up.

Derald disassembled the entire thing to clean and paint.

The interior was this awful faded golden yellowish color.


The framing was kind of a mix of dirt, scum and rust.


This is the product he was going to use to paint the plastic parts.

I was told "This is a MUST have if you plan to spray paint".  Some kind of spray gun handle.  It snapped right on.  I bet they don't sell these in CA without a permit!!

And the spraying begins.

White, clean and looks like new!

A small hitch in the plan.  One of the rods to some kind of sensor broke off.  We just got the email it was not available anymore.   Nor is the gasket.  Back to the internet for the search.