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 ;)