Rebuild of 1988 Casita 16

[lisantica]

Wow! Gets better every update!
The cool thing is you're going to know every inch of this trailer once you're done.

I still think you might cancel your order and stick with this one.

[EricAllyn]

I will likely cancel the order, although I have occasionally mentioned those on the forum who have multiple campers for different situations. Didn't get a favorable response.

[EricAllyn]

I have finished removing the windows, and tomorrow will finish with the vents. Been crazy weather here -- we had highs in the 60's in August and late September in the 90's -- so didn't work a lot during the heat -- stayed inside and worked on bathroom.

In the "if I knew then" category, I should have taken the windows out before I pressure washed, would have been easier, and probably a little faster. I think I will take down the awning, and clean it, and probably paint the outside of the camper before putting the windows back in. There is a lot of caulk on everything. Comes off pretty well with a sharp wood chisel, and I think a little sanding will fix it. I think it is also time to build up the 2" riser for the ceiling fan, and will close up some of the holes in the body.

Some more repair work coming next week to things removed or broken when I got it.

[EricAllyn]

I have been thinking about paint for the awning. It is out there, and part of me thinks it might be fun to paint the underside sky blue, with some puffy clouds. That way, if I am sitting under it in the rain, I can still pretend it is nice!

Have to figure out the exterior color scheme yet, but thinking two tone.

[EricAllyn]

Hot weather outside, so didn't start till later in the afternoon/evening. Next week is supposed to be better, so will do a lot more during the week. But I finished removal of everything to prep for painting. If a person could recycle the silicon caulk, I could make a fortune! Seems the answer for someone to seeing water, was to get a case of caulk and put it everywhere they could see! Not really that bad, but it was on think on everything. But that is next weeks problem. I did finally get up the courage to look at the door. After the difficulty that Shaggydoink had getting his curve right, I did a couple of things having learned from his difficulty. I carefully marked the curve of the door, and will make two curves to hold the door as I put it all back and FG it. I know it would not be good, the screws almost fell out of the door mechanism, and as expected, wet and rotten. The main bottom part also wet, and holding water. Took it all out, letting it dry and will put it back together when the next epoxy shipment comes from Amazon.

In this project, the one thing I did not estimate (not even close) was the amount of epoxy I would be using. I knew I wanted it solid, and the amount doesn't bother me, just very surprised. Going to see the Columbus replica ships in Peoria with the grandkids tomorrow.

[EricAllyn]

sorry I messed up your moniker shaggydoink -- was able to fix in the edit -- so now it's okay

[EricAllyn]

Had a beautiful day outside to work on things, and got some things done. I was able to FG all the bigger places that I'm closing in, and got a lot of the little ones as well. Was able to check the curve on the walls, and cut a piece for the support, checked out a fit on the cabinet by the door, and that repair will work, so FG in the supports for the back area by the table. I am closing in the front window that would be in the shower, and will use a vent for the shower, and tomorrow will repair the walls and base of the shower. Hope to get the 2" riser for the fan installed so I can mount that on Friday. We'll see how it goes.

[EricAllyn]

I was able to make a piece for the one patch, by taking a mat and cutting in to the exact size I needed, and by laying in on wax paper, I Epoxied it, then put another one down, and put epoxy on it. When it was fairly stiff, I put it in place and then FG the inside, with a 2" margin around it. I think that when it is finally cured I will be able to fill in the outside and gel coat it.

[EricAllyn]

Today I worked on a few little things. Was going to sand the area for mounting the fan, but every time I was ready to start, the little kids on one side or the other came out to play, and the wind was in that direction so looked for something else to do. Got both sides support cut and ready to FG in. Decided not to do the whole wall thing, only a strip to be support with FG to the wall and on both sides. Will paint it after that.

Used the one to measure and make the other side.

[EricAllyn]

First picture on the last post was cutting the door curve.
Since there was time, I decided to get started on the door. I cut the curves, then cut pieces to fit into the door to replace the pieces that were wet and in the door when I took it apart. Then I took the curves, clamped the curves to the door to get the right curve (I hope -- will see when it goes back on) then put epoxy on both sides of the wood, and clamped that all together.

Now we wait. While I waited, I cleaned the garage -- sorry no picts since I only got the front half done

[lisantica]

You're making great progress!
Such a fun build to watch.

[EricAllyn]

Thanks -- it really is enjoyable, and we are at the stage when we will be putting things back together. After the hard parts, this is the fun part, and I may not be a pro at FG but I am happy with the way it turns out, so that is a plus. Good to have a good sander to make mistakes disappear.

[k0wtz]

You are a true craftsman and a tireless worker my hats off to you


bob

[EricAllyn]

Thanks -- next week should see some really dramatic change. Monday thru Friday are supposed to be really nice days, so hopefully it will be a lot of progress.

[k0wtz]

I think you repainted how did that go?

bob

[EricAllyn]

Have not repainted, just going to see how the gel coat works out when I clean and wax it. If I can get a good job on the places that I patched, I will leave it at that. If the Bondo and gel coat combo doesn't work well then will look to the repaint. Should have an answer on the work I do in the next week. Will post pics when I do it.

[k0wtz]

There are posts here regarding roll on methods i have done it!

bob

[EricAllyn]

I have seen them, and might try it, but am really pretty comfortable with spray. I often spray when I woodwork, so that isn't hard for me. Getting pressure set and proper thickness for the paint is the tricky part. I'm going to try the gel coat as a learning experience.

[EricAllyn]

Had a little time yesterday and today. Mixed up some Bondo fiberglass filler. I was surprised by how it worked. I had never used it before, but seems to be a good thing to use for filling. I filled the windows that I am closing up and sanded to try and get the curves right. Took a couple of layers, but I think it is going to work. Next step will be to try the gel coat. Also washed the front to see how it would clean up, and I think it will work well. I am going to finish the door and then try it with the floor wax and see how it looks.

Also was able to get the start of the mount for the fan on the outside.
Glued down and some fiberglass around the outside. Will put more on tomorrow when I can get the clamps off.

[EricAllyn]

Had something happen today that I have never had before. I mixed up a batch of epoxy when I was putting up the riser for the fan. I was spreading it, and then thought it would be better with a brush. Got a foam brush out of my paint supplies (the throw away kind) and used that to put it on. About 3 minutes into using the brush, I noticed steam like stuff coming off the place where I had used it. I went a little longer and noticed the epoxy in the container was hard. (open time is usually 30-40 min and I had only been working about 10) I took it down and threw it away, noticing that it too was steaming. I checked a little later in the trash and thought the heat might not be good in there. It was very hot to the touch, had melted the container bottom, but was solid now so could be taken out. Stayed hot for about an hour -- to hot to touch the outside of the plastic container I mixed in.

I don't think I messed up the ration (1:1) but maybe I did. Odd.