Caravan project

@Barny Rubble @gadgetman

well, after a bit of disappointment with a caravan in auckland i was exceedingly lucky to get a second crack at another one here in CHCH, and after catching up with Barny Rubble i became the proud new owner of a great wee project caravan.

Need to put in the front window again and replace the rubber on the rear, but she's got the bones of a great wee project. so gadget ill be bouncing some left field ideas around the solar and batteries, but as you'll see the repainting jobs started. removed a little on the inside and am drawing up some ideas for the seats that extend to a bed, but with the three big batteries that we got she's got a bit of juice :)

Barney, heres so far the outside!

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then i started

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Looks a good sound start.

Thanks I am open to all suggestions and ideas, need to get electrical cert too and find someone to do windows! Plus working out how to best remove the paint on the rippled aluminium sections

Thats a primo Caravan!

Now you need a Gold Fleck painted Holden Kingswood to tow it.

Could you try a wire wheel on a angle grinder for the stippled alloy bits?

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Originally Posted by norsk

Thats a primo Caravan!

Now you need a Gold Fleck painted Holden Kingswood to tow it.

Could you try a wire wheel on a angle grinder for the stippled alloy bits?

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That will scuff up the ali good and proper. They do this expanded black plastic stuff for use in rotary tools, chews through paint and doesn't harm the alloy.

Have you got access to a compressor? Go the lazy route and blast it

Going to be finished in time for the Toby shoot 2018, make an awesome 'office' in kurow

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Originally Posted by Tommy

That will scuff up the ali good and proper. They do this expanded black plastic stuff for use in rotary tools, chews through paint and doesn't harm the alloy.

Have you got access to a compressor? Go the lazy route and blast it

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I had given that serious consideration as it would also save buggering up the rivets etc, and I do have this...... a gift many moons ago!
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But I’m not sure if it would shift dust or paint???

@223nut, that’s a freaken awesome idea!

If its the kind of alloy sheet I think it is,it looks like a even stipple.But when you get the paint off,there are little craters under the paint.

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Originally Posted by norsk

If its the kind of alloy sheet I think it is,it looks like a even stipple.But when you get the paint off,there are little craters under the paint.

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Yeah bit like this

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I’ve got the next couple of days off so I want to try and break the back of the exterior sanding, blasting would be great but I’m going to head down to automotive paint shop and see what disk options I have!

Would spray on paint stripper not be the easiest way?

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

Would spray on paint stripper not be the easiest way?

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Would consider it but then there is the run off on my driveway? I’m guessing it would stain?

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Originally Posted by Tertle

Would consider it but then there is the run off on my driveway? I’m guessing it would stain?

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Lay down some plastic, bit of aluminum tape around where you don't want it removed and 10 minutes later job done.

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Just make sure whatever you use is compatible with aluminium. @Beetroot or @shift14 might be able to recommend a good product, the stuff they use at the jet base is amazing

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

Just make sure whatever you use is compatible with aluminium. @Beetroot or @shift14 might be able to recommend a good product, the stuff they use at the jet base is amazing

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Thanks already looking at upgrading the old compressor poor old girl, so any good advice that saves time and money I will happily take!

Hope the old Trojan mechanical brakes are in good nick ;) Coz they are non existent now in that vintage. If you get really stuck on the reco of the running gear, flick me a PM and I'll see if I can help with anything needed.

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

Just make sure whatever you use is compatible with aluminium. @Beetroot or @shift14 might be able to recommend a good product, the stuff they use at the jet base is amazing

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FFS, dont use tergo-strip. amazing on paint removal but eats alloy

Slowly getting there!
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Howz this mate???




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Originally Posted by Tertle

Would consider it but then there is the run off on my driveway? I’m guessing it would stain?

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I used to use this industrial stuff on my cars, its a gel, just paint it on with a brush cover it in gladwrap leave it for a bit pull the gladwrap off, paint sticks to wrap and roll it up throw it in the bin paint is gone, no mess no fuss, just don't get it on your skin because it burns

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

Would spray on paint stripper not be the easiest way?

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And they blame the farmers for our shit water quality :P

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Originally Posted by Gibo

And they blame the farmers for our shit water quality :P

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Mainly just the stupid ones.

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Slowly getting there
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[QUOTE=A330driver;652982]Howz this mate???


that look stunning! whats the inside like?

We did it out,will get the bro to send me some other photos....halves......have a mate who’s an upholsterer.....very basic but everything can be turned into eating or sleeping quarters....

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Originally Posted by A330driver

We did it out,will get the bro to send me some other photos....halves......have a mate who’s an upholsterer.....very basic but everything can be turned into eating or sleeping quarters....

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at the moment I'm just going to concentrate of painting it and making it weather tight.....will need to get front window sorted and the rubber trim around the other opening windows, then i will look at the wheels, breaks and drawbar.......then the inside,, but I'm after a very basic inside that can be turned from a eating sitting to sleeping so very keen to see your set up. Ive got 3 x 100 amp hour deep cycle batteries that will go in soon which will have solar set up but other than that its a semi clean slate!

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Originally Posted by Tommy

That will scuff up the ali good and proper. They do this expanded black plastic stuff for use in rotary tools, chews through paint and doesn't harm the alloy.

Have you got access to a compressor? Go the lazy route and blast it

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If you are thinking the 3M / scotch pads I found them more aggressive than the wire wheel. And you are right, the wire wheel is probably too aggressive too....

I would try what Tommy said,some sort of angle grinder attachment will be the easiest to use with the least mess and has the bonus of removing any corrosion and keying up the surface for priming.
I'm not super familiar with paint strippers, but the ones I've used just loosened up the paint so still needed to be scrapped or scrubbed off. Having the rough surface may make this less than ideal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

Just make sure whatever you use is compatible with aluminium. @Beetroot or @shift14 might be able to recommend a good product, the stuff they use at the jet base is amazing

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Spec strip is what we called it, not sure what the full name is.
Was horrible stuff to use, the fumes put off were horrific and the tiny bit on your skin would burn like crazy. Worked well as a paint stripper though.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

I would try what Tommy said,some sort of angle grinder attachment will be the easiest to use with the least mess and has the bonus of removing any corrosion and keying up the surface for priming.
I'm not super familiar with paint strippers, but the ones I've used just loosened up the paint so still needed to be scrapped or scrubbed off. Having the rough surface may make this less than ideal.





Spec strip is what we called it, not sure what the full name is.
Was horrible stuff to use, the fumes put off were horrific and the tiny bit on your skin would burn like crazy. Worked well as a paint stripper though.

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I'm taking a day off.....read really freaken sunburnt, going to potter inside the caravan today!!!!!

Ive been using a Norton product, a Blaze rapid strip, and as long as you don't sit it there on one spot it works a treat! I've just gone through my second one, the trick is not to sit there in one place as i have used it once before of one of my trucks i repainted and i soon learnt to watch for the metal overheating.

where i can't get into an area thats just too fiddly I've a set of wire wheels with various heads that I've used, I've even just taken to areas with a wire brush. The problem has been the odd textured aluminium sheets, they i have water blasted the buggery out of them, wire brushed the hollows and lightly buzzed the tops, its moved the bulk but there are a few odd spots of paint.

I've then gone over it again with an orbital sander, except the rivets, I've been real careful around them, i tried a spot sand blaster from super cheap..........that was possibly money better spent on lotto!

Now Im getting to the exterior paint selection and options. Ive keyed the alu so now I'm looking to etch, prime and then undercoat, working out if its cheaper to do myself or pay? I've got no issue in learning how to do this myself, but what things would cost me to do this as apposed to someone set up to do it is something I'm taking into consideration? mind you if i buy stuff its mine for future random projects??

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Originally Posted by Tertle

mind you if i buy stuff its mine for future random projects??

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This reads, more stuff collecting dust in the garage

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Originally Posted by 223nut

This reads, more stuff collecting dust in the garage

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LOL........... i will post a pic of the garage and you will laugh as to how true that statement is!!!

sadly sitting in the caravan I've noticed a couple of areas that will need some work, yep the dreaded rot!!! I'm actually not not that bothered as it will give me the opportunity to run some 12 volt wiring for some future ideas!!! but i know its going to be a pain in the butt!

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similar on the other side just higher! Owell! look at the chance to rewire a tad!!!

sorry about the grainy pics but this is of the left hand rear (looking inside the caravan)

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