phase 2 Restoring Lou Ann my sweet little Shasta!

OKAY! so I have done quite a bit of procrastinating, however to no avail lets do a quick review on some of the things you may need to know about restoring your vintage camper.
1st and foremost GUT IT ALL OUT! don't forget your respirator!  You can also check out my first blog post by clicking this link!  http://glitterrockandroll.blogspot.com/2014/05/project-glamper-adventures-of-restoring.html

We made sure to save any hardware we may need to use as templates and we saved all the trim for windows etc. 

Then my husband checked the bearings, repacked them and painted the wheels. We also bought some baby moon caps from vintagetrailersupply.com

We had a fabricator come and rebuild the hitch with extra reinforcements (there was some rotting just on the hitch itself, however, all of the underneath frame was in great shape)... we also purchased a new gas tank rack from www.vintagetrailersupply.com 

Then we began rebuilding the inside. I can tell you some basic information on what we used but if you have specific questions you should probably just leave them in the comments below and I can shoot you an answer from my husband. We used 1/4 inch luon right over the old floors! 

We replaced all the rotten frame supports with new ones and they just slipped right into the old trim. We used 1/6 treated wood ripped into smaller pieces in case of moisture to prevent rotting.  

After we replaced all the supports and rotten wood and while everything was gutted out, we used rubberizer (flex seal) in white on the roof! (however I would prob skip this step as it really did not do any good) We waited for a really big storm to confirm that it was a S#$T idea) Then I decided to buy some butyl tape and tape every seam and make sure it had a very good bond! Then we bought cold seal and went to town up top! THAT WORKED LIKE A CHARM! 

We rewired the fixtures and outlets we were going to use and then used the 1/4 inch luon for the ceilings and walls. We decided to just float the seams with joint compound. and we caulked every seam. We used regular 3/4 inch plywood to rebuild the beds and dinette using the old stuff as a template. We then laid down the new floor using vinyl wood stick on planks after researching we decided that is would be best since the trailer will shift during moving we didn't want laminate planks to break or dislodge etc. it just seemed more practical. We took all the stove pieces apart and I bought white appliance expoxy spray paint from Lowes.  My husband sanded then lightly and painted them. It was impressive! they turned out perfect they looked brand new!  

Then we primed every thing inside the camper then went over it all with semi-gloss exterior WHITE!!!! (I am going for a cottage shabby chic vibe inside) 

We brought the old cushions to be reupholstered by our "guy" and we are going with silver (light grey tweed) with commercial zipper so we can change the foam if we desire down the road. If you are cutting your own foam for dinette set he did tell me that you should always use 5 inch commercial grade foam!! which will coast you about 179.00 to 200.00  per sheet and you would need 2 sheets for this 62 Shasta Airflyte model dinette. (that is some expensive cushions not even including the reupholster charge.) I will post pictures when we get them in!!! 

and what you have all been waiting for ... 

PAINT TIME: 

Paint supplies: 

• Paintbrushes 
• painters tape 
• Valspar Bonding Primer 
• Valspar Duramax Exterior in Satin

As we discussed in part one you can click the link below to see the paint I chose and why! I have the source links for my decisions posted to direct you to the information! 

http://glitterrockandroll.blogspot.com/2014/05/project-glamper-adventures-of-restoring.html

We sanded with 180 grit sandpaper 2x's (just to be safe)

Then wiped it down with wet rag to remove dirt and dust.

We painted one coat of Valspar Bonding Primer. 

Then my husband drew our design in pencil and painted the yellow stripe first it did not have to be straight or taped off!!!! 

After the yellow paint dried he painted a second coat! 

After about week of it drying he placed the painters tape in the design we wanted over the yellow paint and measured it so that it was all perfect and straight! 

Then he painted the bottom with the turquoise color and primed over the yellow that ran over the top of the tape! 

  

And that where we are at today! This weekend Lou Ann will receive a second coat of turquoise paint and we will paint the top white.

In phase 3  I will cover  interior finalization!  As well as a picture of the finished paint job! 

Thanks for stopping by and we cant wait to pull our gal! Hopefully coming soon to a campsite near you!  

WHY I AM A CROSSFITTER

There has been a lot of negativity associated with Crossfit and I’m here to explain why this does not make any sense to me.  First let me give you a back story. I am 28 years old and I attend Crossfit regularly about 4 to 5 days a week. I began working out in high school when I was employed by a local gym I was also involved in athletics with my school through dance line. Exercise was somewhat of an obsession since I was surrounded everyday by fit people and super fit trainers and coaches. I began working out 3 to 4 times a day in the morning, mid-day and afternoon. My routine consisted of running on the treadmill 1 mile in the morning, abs and running at noon, dance line practice and a full body high intensity cardio boot camp followed by spin class in the afternoon. That’s about 4 to 5 hours of working out a day. I was in peak physical shape (Abs for days, lean and full of energy). I stopped working out when I moved off to college with the exception of an occasional run. I began gaining weight slowly for the first 4 years until I met my husband. I completely stopped all physical activity for about 5 years and gained a massive amount of weight. At my heaviest I weighed 267#'s! (I know) That’s when I decided to change my lifestyle, I mean a complete 360!   

I heard all the buzz about Crossfit, and I felt like that kind of pressure and competitiveness is exactly what I needed to reach my goals.

I will never forget that day. There are 2 boxes in my area and after researching their websites and hearing testimonials from members from both I decided which one I wanted to be a part of. I decided to skip the trial day and jump in feet first (or head first… however that saying goes). I was greeted by the most amazing woman (who by the way qualified and will be competing in the national Crossfit Games this year 2014). she has been a personal friend and constant motivator throughout my entire journey. She put me through Crossfit 101 giving me knowledge of lifts that we would be using while concentrating on form and technique, and that’s all folks! I was hooked ready to take on the world or at least my fitness goals. She asked me to write down what I wanted out of Crossfit short term, in 6 months and in a year so that she could make sure I am meeting those goals and push me to do the same. Before I tell you about my goals and where I stand on them…

 THIS IS WHY I AM A CROSSFITTER!

1.  Money, money, money, moooney, MONEYYYY…. (sing that) Do you want to pay $400- $1000.00 a month for a personal trainer! I have had personal trainers before and I have not gotten the same results especially in the time frame I achieved in Crossfit. Yes Crossfit is more expensive than a traditional gym membership, but does your gym track you progress, provide life coaching and 1 on 1 nutritional advice, offer you Competitiveness amongst other members and provide your workout every day while having coach/trainer follow you around making sure you do everything right with proper form and technique. Yeah didn't think so. 
2.  Me and my Hommies- (Community) I cannot stress this enough I have met some pretty amazing people at Crossfit. People who care about their community and each other. We cheer each other on and lift one another up.  We are all working toward the same goal at every class and a little competitive nature will surely get you motivated to perform and push yourself.  There is a lot of negativity circulating about Crossfit being cult like. Here are my thoughts. Just like in any competitive sport or hobby you participate in there is a since of comradery that only those who participate can understand. Have you ever been involved in a hobby or sport that you threw yourself into. I mean look back to high school did you play a sport? Did most everyone you played with become your best friends did you talk about it 24/7. And why shouldn't you there are worse things to be addicted to than working out like booze and drugs. GET OVER MY CONSTANT NEED to talk about my accomplishments in reaching fitness goals I have worked so hard to achieve. Your Crossfit friends will never do that. They will always cheer you on and feel the same since of accomplishment when you reach a goal because deep down they know that they are in some way responsible for each other goals because we cheered you on and push you through when you thought you just couldn't do it. 
3. Your doing that wrong!- (Technique and form). This is another thing that gets a bad rap. I say to you find a box that knows what they are doing and makes it their goal to stress form and technique. My gym provides detailed instruction and demonstration before every wod! Not just on lifts but every movement we do even squats, push ups, and planks. They take time to watch us each perform the task and correct our form if we are not getting it they ask that we use a pvc pipe and attain form before lifting with weight! I have hear horror stories about some gyms that do not do this but this is why you do your homework.  I love that our coaches stress safety. We also perform crossover activation to active muscles before our warm-ups and stretching after wods to prevent injury (side note my coach is so dedicated he realized I was hypertensive and asked that I not perform stretching after workouts because people who have hyper extended joints have a higher risk injury from over stretching!) . There is a risk of injury in any form of athletics and physical activity you do. Only you know your limits never let anyone push you past your limits. 
4. I can do anything you can do better-(Competitiveness) There are a wide range of athletes that attend Crossfit from dedicated lifters, to marathon runners to the average joe (me). And no matter what your level of fitness you will find that you can all perform the same tasks. It might be scaled to your ability (ie lower weights and different scaled down movements till you graduate to Rx) But that’s the beauty of Crossfit you want to perform as well as the guy next to you and they teach you that you can, through hard work. He did five rounds I can do 6. My best friend Pr at 225 dead-lift I can get that in 2 weeks with enough conditioning. If she can do pull ups with a band instead of ring rows I can too. We are taught that if it’s easy for you you’re not doing it right. Never get comfortable, always challenge yourself. That’s how you reach your goals. Several times a week my friends tell me come on you can throw a heavier wall ball than that just go up 2 pounds, that looks too easy for you. FEEL THE BURN J just don’t over do it. Our coaches say stop before your form goes bad. If you are lifting too much your form will disappear and that can cause injury! Know your limits.

Well that pretty much sums most of what I really wanted you to know about why I Crossfit!

Now I want to tell you how Crossfit changed my life! Like I said I weighed 267 pounds when I stated on August 1, 2013. I set three goals the first was a short term goal as in one week. I wanted to be able to do a prescribed burpee! I did it I couldn’t do as many as everyone else prescribed but I did it! My second goal was 5 months. I wanted to lose 50 pounds in 5 months well I lost 70! My last goal is to lose 100 pounds in 1 year and be the best version of myself. It has been 10 months and I have lost a total of 87 pounds I have 13 pounds to go! I am 100% sure I will attain my goal ahead of schedule. I took a sabbatical from clean eating for 3 or so months and was at stand still but I have kicked it into gear with whole 30 and added 13 pounds of weight loss in 12 days. Please know that for me it was not just about weightloss. My crossfit coaches have helped me break out of my shell, I am happier, leaner, stronger and full of energy. Every day is bitter sweet for me I wake up excited and nervous about my workout every day. I know I will be pushed and challenged and I will love it and hate it all at the same time. As far as I am concerned I have already reached my 1 year goal. I feel as though I am the best version of myself in this moment and I would not have been able to do so without Crossfit. 

 THAT’S WHY I AM A CROSSFITER!     

I would like to thank 2 coaches who are very special to me. Shout out to Crossfit South bank if you are ever in Alexandria, Louisiana and want to get your wod on that’s your place. Lisa Lauve and Jeff Prejean have motivated me, pushed me and supported me in my journey whole-heartedly. I have said this 1 million times and I’m sure they get tired of hearing it but I can never repay them for giving me my life back.

Glam up your Camping trip with these Glamping must haves

I know what your thinking ... Annie you have not even gone on your first glamping trip! But  by George I tell you when July 25th rolls around I will be ready with all my go to gear in tow! I am stocking up now on things i just need  want will not live without. My little Lou Ann will be stocked and ready to go.
I have searched high and low to find some pretty awesome Glamping Accessories and I don't mind sharing them with you so YOUR WELCOME!!!!!!!!!! At the bottom of this post are the numbered links to these accessories corresponding with the pictures above.

Because why wouldn't you want to make coffee, toast eggs and sausage at the same time with one machine!

its genius.  $39.99 

I mean is this not the cutest record player you have ever seen in your life! really its pretty rad

nothing says vintage camper more than a portable record player. $160.00 

plastic dinnerware (you know I'm clumsy better safe than sorry)plastic 12 piece dish set 

$9.00

Self explanatory it says what your doing right there on the pillow!

 SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

$25.00

If you are a little more brave just do it get those good dishes.

 They are so fun for nighttime dinner party at the ol' campsite. 

$39.99

A little literature for Lou Ann 

$18.97

Because what else would I put my awesome coffee in but an awesome thermos. 

however much 12 Pounds is in London

Okay but seriously I have like 5 of these at home I would not go anywhere without it. 

I really think I am addicted to this scent its so manly and warm. 

$15.00

NOW LETS GET ON THE ROAD WITH OUR GOODIES. 

I believe this is what they call putting the Cart before the horse. 

Who Cares I need  want it all!

Links: 1. 3 in one coffee maker, 2. Floral portable record player 3. Plastic 12 piece dinnerware   4. Glamp Pillow 5. 12 piece floral dinner ware 6. Glamping with Mary Jane book 7. Retro Thermos 8.Warm Tobacco Pipe Candle

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

LOVE 

ANNIE 

PROJECT GLAMPER the adventures of restoring Lou Ann our 1967 Vintage Shasta

PART 1, WEEK 1:

It has been an exciting week for me after over a year of convincing whining and manipulation, I finally won the buy me a Glamper battle. I have been searching high and low for the perfect Tin Can to roam the countryside in. Time and again we would hit the same brick walls. I would see something that might be a viable option and my sweet   anal husband would find a million reasons why it was not meant to be (its too far, they want to much, I cant go we will go this weekend if its sold by then it's not meant to be etc...) Well this past week I hit the jackpot there was a little vintage Shasta less than 2 miles from my house and she had all the charm for dirt cheap (here's your sign... I just knew she was THE ONE!) so I introduce to you Lou Ann the Happy Glamper! (she was prob. more identifiable as a Louis at this point but I will give her a sex change operation no worries)

LET THE RESTORE BEGIN 

We began by gutting Lou Ann to identify any leaks she may have. 

THINGS WE NEEDED:

• Respirator 
• pry bars 
• Phillips head and flat head screw driver  
• gloves 

My husband decided to start from the ceiling and work his way down. We began by pulling ripping out all the ceiling tiles, paneling and insulation from the ceiling after removing the vent trimming while making sure to leave the tin intact as well as the studs that run across the trailer for support. Then we removed all lights, window trim, fixtures, rails and tracks then began pulling out the cabinets, wall paneling, benches/beds and lastly the floor tiles. THIS GOT EXTREMELY MESSY after he started I decided to cover all appliances with plastic to keep it from falling in the cracks but since we were ripping up the floors i decided not to put a drop cloth down. However I might would definitely do it differently if we had to do it over again. 

After she was all gutted out we were able to  identify  water damaged boards and any leaks at the seams. There where two small leaks at the seam. (luckily it rained the day after we finished so we could see our trouble areas.)

 

you can see how we took it off layer by layer

                     until we got to the support studs and tin                                

                                             

*This will be covered in part 2

my husband decided to use rubberizer (Flex Seal) in white on the roof inside and out at all the seams to eliminate any future leaks. He will do this after we replace and reinforce all studs.  

Next I decided Lou Ann was ready for some outside prep. 

We gave her a bath and removed all the the outside face plates and lights. 

I came across several people who are restoring vintage campers who opt for a complete rebuild (this is insane to me) As Sweet Brown would say "Ain't nobody got time for that!"  We decided not to remove the outside window trim or the J-trim. we will just paint over it and my husband will reseal everything with silicone caulking.  But let me for warn you he is really good at this, everything looks nice and  neat when he does it. 

Then after about a total of  5 million 8 hours of research I decided what paint would be best for Lou Ann. There was so many contradictory opinions on that matter which made it that much harder. 

My camper was already painted most likely with oil based paint so here is the low down on what I chose and why.

I bought Valspar Bonding Primer (this stuff rocks) The reason I chose this is 

1. I found this blog very helpful  http://rmhouseofnoise.blogspot.com/2012/08/vintage-trailer-restoration-part-4.html in choosing paint. 

2. The guy at Lowes said this stuff would make me and you stick to the wall 

3. Cause I do what I want 

I sanded the entire outside of Lou Ann using 180 grit sandpaper 2x's, simply because after the first time my husband realized I was using a sanding board and informed me I would have to start over. (who knew sanding boards where only for sanding flat surfaces #rookiemove)

Then we primed her all over to get ready for sealing/waterproofing Lou Ann which I will return to in Part 2.   

( P.S. I also purchased the paint suggested  by rmhouseofnoise.blogspot.com which was Valspar Duramax exterior in satin per her trial and error) 

So until next week ...

au revoir

 Love Annie ;)