pennyg
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Post by pennyg on Aug 25, 2014 10:54:07 GMT -8
I really like the look of some of the vintage trailers that are bare metal. I was wondering what brand of trailer was originally made that way?I can think of a few;Friendship and Trottwood had models that were left unpainted. Any info on other bare metal trailer models? Just curious. Thanks
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wiartonwillie
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1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
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Post by wiartonwillie on Aug 25, 2014 13:24:11 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Aug 25, 2014 20:38:55 GMT -8
Bellwood, Boles Aero, Hanson Lovebug and early Alohas
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Post by Ross on Aug 27, 2014 6:58:08 GMT -8
Scotty produced a Silverside Sportsman in the early, early 60's. There were Avion's and Airstreams, as well. I have a 1960 Scotty Silverside in need of restoration and I don't have time for.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 19, 2014 21:11:59 GMT -8
Any trailer can be bare metal but not every type of aluminum can be polished to look like a polished Airstream. A trailer like a Shasta for instance is going to be much harder to get a clean mirror finish than a Silver Streak because of the kind of aluminum the skin is made from.
However, that being said,
I love the way an originally painted trailer looks when you strip it and then finish it off with scotch brite. Then maybe some stripes and nothing else. Looks great and you don't have to polish it but you must maintain it because aluminum oxidizes. I'm thinking maybe just a clear coat or sealer of some kind over it might work. Going to talk to my painter about that.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 20, 2014 7:54:39 GMT -8
I just spent, $4700 ($175/foot, plus stripping) to have a 1953 Silver Streak polished.
The quality of work was "so poor" it will take me several days to make it look actually finished. It was delivered "three times", before I accepted it, in desperation.
Painted, or re-skinned trailers, are looking like a better option.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 20, 2014 19:02:17 GMT -8
I just spent, $4700 ($175/foot, plus stripping) to have a 1953 Silver Streak polished. The quality of work was "so poor" it will take me several days to make it look actually finished. It was delivered "three times", before I accepted it, in desperation. Painted, or re-skinned trailers, are looking like a better option. John I replace skin now. I don't bother with dents or gashes. If they are very small and the trailer is being painted and a little tiny bit of bondo wiill work fine. Beyond that I replace the metal skin. Besides it looks so good and today's metal is a little thicker than the old stuff.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 20, 2014 19:32:36 GMT -8
I just spent, $4700 ($175/foot, plus stripping) to have a 1953 Silver Streak polished. The quality of work was "so poor" it will take me several days to make it look actually finished. It was delivered "three times", before I accepted it, in desperation. Painted, or re-skinned trailers, are looking like a better option. John I replace skin now. I don't bother with dents or gashes. If they are very small and the trailer is being painted and a little tiny bit of bondo wiill work fine. Beyond that I replace the metal skin. Besides it looks so good and today's metal is a little thicker than the old stuff.
Larry, I completely agree with replacing the skin on a "Stick and Tin" style trailer. It's much more economical, even cheaper than painting.
BUT..........a SILVER STREAK, is a "riveted skin" style trailer, and I had already replaced 1500 rivets, and numerous skin panels, before it was sent to the polisher.
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Post by vikx on Sept 20, 2014 21:16:10 GMT -8
So sorry to hear the polishing job went awry, John. What a crock.
Believe it or not, I like the old skins. A few beauty marks don't bother me. Of course, when they're too far gone, new skin is nice.
I have to admit I wasn't thrilled with the new skin on a recent build. It scratched easily. If one isn't careful, dents happen, especially when stapling. The trailer really looks wonderful, tho.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 20, 2014 21:27:38 GMT -8
John I replace skin now. I don't bother with dents or gashes. If they are very small and the trailer is being painted and a little tiny bit of bondo wiill work fine. Beyond that I replace the metal skin. Besides it looks so good and today's metal is a little thicker than the old stuff.
Larry, I completely agree with replacing the skin on a "Stick and Tin" style trailer. It's much more economical, even cheaper than painting.
BUT..........a SILVER STREAK, is a "riveted skin" style trailer, and I had already replaced 1500 rivets, and numerous skin panels, before it was sent to the polisher.
That's why I stick with Canned Hams John. LOL... I don't like tubes. I haven't gotten my hands on any boles other than Cindy's. Stick and tin for me. Top it off with birch paneling.
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Post by vintagebruce on Sept 23, 2014 17:21:58 GMT -8
Cruising swiftly through my identifier files I think you can add some models of Beemer, Garway, and judging from the ones in the RVHoF, the rear door Scotties (I have pics of the 57 and 59 - Ross is your '60 Silverside one with the rear door?), the '66 Mustang and both Clipper Mfg. Co. of Forth Worth Tx's Clipperette and Sunchaser. I have a pic of '57 Honorbuilt that holds a shine almost as nice as a pro job on a vintage Airstream or Silver Streak Clipper, also bare skinned pics of a Little Abe, Friendship, Metzendorf and even a Beeline. If you want to go barenekked, you don't have to only consider a silver bullet lots of stick and tin canned hams and styles that defy description...like the Clipperette and Sunchaser appear to shine up nicely if you have the patience.
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Post by vikx on Sept 23, 2014 21:32:53 GMT -8
Ah Bruce,
So GOOD to have you back among us...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 19:02:39 GMT -8
Anybody have any reference photos of a Shasta toaster style camper with the 6 inch break skin that is bare metal? The original skin? I have wondered a long time how it would look after being polished. Maybe not mirror finish but still. I have been curious for a while. Cannot seem to find any.
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Vintagehotdog
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Hi, we are Paul and Irvina, Currently rebuilding a 12' 1958 Easy Traveler
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1962 Oasis 18'
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Post by Vintagehotdog on Nov 11, 2016 12:36:51 GMT -8
The Easy Travelers made in '58 and '59 had no paint at all. But I think it was because it's cheaper. They are one cheap trailer. Explains why they were in business only a few years. Still awesome now though.
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windborn
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1957 Sportcraft 15
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Post by windborn on Nov 11, 2016 18:54:19 GMT -8
I'm pretty sure the Sportcrafts in 57 didn't have paint, though other years had some stripes. They were also cheap trailers, so you could be onto something vintagehotdog.
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