Tuesday, February 10, 2015

WILLY'S FACE LIFT - INSTALLMENT 11

Primed and ready. 
There isn't a lot to report today.  I sanded the remaining two sides and washed them with trisodium phosphate, then primed them.  There's lots of grey.  There is a TCT (Tin Can Tourist - largest and oldest vintage trailer club in US) saying - "Friends don't let friends pull white boxes."  I wonder if that applies to grey. (Yes, those of you who are FaceBook friends already heard that one. It isn't any better the second time. :D)  
Close up of Willy's siding



I did think of one thing that I should share with novices like me who don't have a flat skin trailer. I bought a small detail sander to get in all of the groves.  It has been very useful but not for what I originally intended.  If your trailer skin is like the picture to the left, you might as well plan on sanding it by hand.  At least if you want a descent sand job.

After the primer was dry all the way around I did the masking so I can start painting in the morning. We're going to do the white first.  When I was sanding, I noticed how badly the lower front panels were pitted from rocks, and road hazards. I also noticed that the pattern didn't match the rest of Willy. It has obviously been replaced once. I bought a sheet of diamond plate to see what it would look like. It is harder, heavier and a lot more expensive ($80 for a 2x4 sheet) but we think it will avoid future repairs and give Willy some protection.  I'll mount it after the painting is done and take some pictures then.  It is low and behind the battery box and propane tanks, and I actually think it looks rather nice. Regardless, it's better than badly dinged siding.


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