WILLY'S FACE LIFT - INSTALLMENT 6

WA-HOO!  A great day at the garage.

I decided this morning that I was going to stay in Madisonville and work on Willy.  We both had a bit of a rough evening because we were concerned about the edging.  Like I said, I could make it work but I didn't like it or the original. We wanted something that was going to permit us to use screws instead of staples and plenty of sealing surface. We didn't feel that the edging we bought had enough sealing surface.  I decided to stay in Madisonville so that I could work on this problem so we didn't get too far  behind.

Left front edge. Single screw

First thing this morning I went to Lowe's.  I don't know if I should admit this in case a vintage trailer restorer purist reads it. Awe, heck.  I ended up looking at edging for pole barns. I bought a couple of pieces just to tack on so that Pamela could see it on and give me her opinion.  It works extremely well and I was able to have one piece of edging go the entire distance. The other materials were going to have at least one joint because they couldn't make the extremely sharp curve on the front.

Here are a couple of pictures.  On the front right you can see one of the screws. There will be a line of screws so this isn't a blemish or damage.  Each of the screws, which will be about 4" apart, will have a similar dimple giving a consistent appearance. The picture of the front left shows how nicely it goes around the two bends. Fewer places to leak when your edging is solid all the way down!

Right front edging without screws

After I got this tacked up I turned my attention to the two seams on the back. On the rear left the wood was rotten all the way up. It took me a whole lot longer to clean out the old rotten wood than it was to measure, cut and install the new wood.  The back also has an angle. If you look directly at the back it looks straight. If you look at it from the side you can see the angle. It isn't much of an angle but it is an angle. Tell your kids there is a reason for geometry.  Both of the back seams went together very well and I was pleased. I didn't take any pictures of the rear seams. Figured you'd seen enough.

rear angle

I was about ready  to install the wood on the last seam when Pamela got home from school. Boy, was she surprised.  She likes the molding.  I'm glad.  I like it too and I think it will do a good job.



The hole left by the antenna is going to require some replacement material, so I'll face that tomorrow after I finish the fourth and final edge seam.  Pamela is ready to go buy paint.  If all goes well we should have Willy back on the road inside of a month, but we want to do a good job and aren't rushing.