Post by windborn on Apr 22, 2015 11:56:58 GMT -8
Hi everyone! I've been a long-time lurker and I'm excited to finally have something to post about. I bought a 1957 (?) Sportcraft from a woman a few days ago, and although I've got a lot of work ahead of me, I'm already in love! Here she is:
The previous owner only had her for a few months. She made a lot of cosmetic changes (mostly just primer & paint, tape included)...
...but didn't do any work on the water damage, which there is quite a bit of...
I wanted to introduce myself because I know I'll have a LOT of questions throughout the process of fixing this little thing up, and I've already got a few. I know that in an ideal world, I'd take off the skins, replace all the rotten wood (and maybe the painted panels too) with nice new stuff, get the gunk off the roof or replace it, put her back together with all new putty tape and screws, etc, etc. (I've been watching mobiltec's videos for too long considering I just now have my first trailer...)
BUT, I would really, really love to get this thing out in the wild this summer (which ends in just a few months here in Massachusetts) and I can't begin working on this project until the end of June. So I keep trying to figure out if there's a way to take baby steps to get her all fixed up. Has anyone here ever slowly made changes to their trailer to get it in good condition over time? I seem to only see major restorations. I'm assuming that's because it's easier to just rip the bandaid off and get it done? Oh and also that issue of the trailer potentially falling off the frame...
I've toyed with the idea of just covering up the really bad rot for now and gunking the roof up even more if it's leaking. (I haven't tested yet.) Though I realize that's just giving me more work to do when I do have the time & money to give this the renovation it deserves.
Any advice? I still may decide to do it right, take my time, and use a tent this summer while I wait to finish her up. But I'd love to know if anyone has restored their trailer incrementally as they use it.
If you're interested, I have an album here with a ton more photos: plus.google.com/photos/+SheaCadrin/albums/6139514703966025521
Thanks in advance! It's so reassuring to know there's a community out there who's willing to help.
PS Check out all these cool old stickers from all over New England & Canada!
The previous owner only had her for a few months. She made a lot of cosmetic changes (mostly just primer & paint, tape included)...
...but didn't do any work on the water damage, which there is quite a bit of...
I wanted to introduce myself because I know I'll have a LOT of questions throughout the process of fixing this little thing up, and I've already got a few. I know that in an ideal world, I'd take off the skins, replace all the rotten wood (and maybe the painted panels too) with nice new stuff, get the gunk off the roof or replace it, put her back together with all new putty tape and screws, etc, etc. (I've been watching mobiltec's videos for too long considering I just now have my first trailer...)
BUT, I would really, really love to get this thing out in the wild this summer (which ends in just a few months here in Massachusetts) and I can't begin working on this project until the end of June. So I keep trying to figure out if there's a way to take baby steps to get her all fixed up. Has anyone here ever slowly made changes to their trailer to get it in good condition over time? I seem to only see major restorations. I'm assuming that's because it's easier to just rip the bandaid off and get it done? Oh and also that issue of the trailer potentially falling off the frame...
I've toyed with the idea of just covering up the really bad rot for now and gunking the roof up even more if it's leaking. (I haven't tested yet.) Though I realize that's just giving me more work to do when I do have the time & money to give this the renovation it deserves. Any advice? I still may decide to do it right, take my time, and use a tent this summer while I wait to finish her up. But I'd love to know if anyone has restored their trailer incrementally as they use it.
If you're interested, I have an album here with a ton more photos: plus.google.com/photos/+SheaCadrin/albums/6139514703966025521
Thanks in advance! It's so reassuring to know there's a community out there who's willing to help.
PS Check out all these cool old stickers from all over New England & Canada!
