pdalber
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Post by pdalber on Nov 8, 2017 1:52:36 GMT -8
I need some advise. We are nearing the end of our camper project and our focus has turned to the rock guard protecting the front window. It has an aluminum frame with three fiberglass panels. The panels appear to be original equipment and are showing their age after 50+ years in the sun. They have yellowed and, in some areas, frayed fiberglass fibers are exposed. We have shiny new white aluminum (from Hemet Valley) on the trailer and I don't think the yellowed fiberglass is going look good. What can I do to restore these panels so they compliment the new aluminum?  20171107_155525 by pdalber, on Flickr |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Nov 8, 2017 8:56:01 GMT -8
My advice comes from the position that I am a 52% purist. If it were mine....
I would do everything possible to retain the original center panel, and would display it even if it did not come completely new-looking. The outer panels may be replaced with fiberglass panels cut to size from a stock product available at a building supply company, if they won't clean up.
I completely disassembled the frame of the rock guard and polished the aluminum framing with Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish.
When I did mine, I had really good results using Clorox Cleanup to scrub (carefully) the dirt and residue from the fiberglass. The bleach helped to whiten out the yellowing. Once cleaned and completely dried, I did a nice even clearcoat paint to give it a nice sheen, and seal out some of the dirt and weather.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Nov 8, 2017 9:55:15 GMT -8
Looks to be in good condition.I guess to me it would depend on how it looks against the rest of your trailer.
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pdalber
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Post by pdalber on Nov 8, 2017 19:04:07 GMT -8
I have already disassembled the aluminum frame and I'm in the process of cleaning/polishing. I was toying with the idea of painting the panels white and having a sign shop replicate the logo with a vinyl decal. However, my wife doesn't think the paint will look good. I'm leaning towards just cleaning them up and clear coating them. Here's a recent pic of the trailer:  20170930_183750 by pdalber, on Flickr |
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 8, 2017 22:12:29 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
Wow! P -,
That's some nice looking lil one! I love the diamond pattern aluminum strip!
In one of the recent issues in the vintage trailer magazine, there is an article on how someone restored an old road guard similar to yours. It was losing fibers. It was that worn. He goes into some detail how he did the restoration. I can scan the article and send it to you. PM me if you want it and include your email in the PM. I can scan it for you this weekend.
Perhaps it might offer some options. He restores it sort of like working on a surfboard.
Cheers,
Rod
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pdalber
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Post by pdalber on Nov 8, 2017 23:24:18 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Wow! P -, That's some nice looking lil one! I love the diamond pattern aluminum strip! In one of the recent issues in the vintage trailer magazine, there is an article on how someone restored an old road guard similar to yours. It was losing fibers. It was that worn. He goes into some detail how he did the restoration. I can scan the article and send it to you. PM me if you want it and include your email in the PM. I can scan it for you this weekend. Perhaps it might offer some options. He restores it sort of like working on a surfboard. Cheers, Rod PM sent! |
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 9, 2017 13:45:08 GMT -8
You could do like I do and replace the fiberglass on both sides of the center panel with aluminum... Here's one we made with an all aluminum single panel... We did the sunburst on a hand brake.  |
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pdalber
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Post by pdalber on Nov 9, 2017 18:34:37 GMT -8
That looks great!!
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pdalber
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Post by pdalber on Nov 11, 2017 15:36:25 GMT -8
I came up with a solution. HD sells a polycarbonate patio roof panel in white. It wasn't a perfect fit for the outer portions, but pretty close. I then bought a piece of white lexan for the center. Total cost was $19. I'm going to take the original panel with the logo to a sign shop and have them replicate it in a viyl decal. Here's what the rock guard looks like:  20171111_171755 by pdalber, on Flickr  20171111_171742 by pdalber, on Flickr |
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mel
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Post by mel on Nov 11, 2017 16:04:04 GMT -8
That looks wonderful!
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Nov 11, 2017 17:48:13 GMT -8
Very nice, I like that a lot.
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Nov 11, 2017 20:45:35 GMT -8
Nice job. I take it that's the original frame?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Nov 12, 2017 5:30:16 GMT -8
Some nice options.
I'm not a big fan of the effect a rock guard has on the front window. It creates (a little) obstruction of the view and make the camper seem a little darker. Plus I tow with a Tundra which shields the camper from most small rocks.
With that said, some rock guards are beautiful.
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 12, 2017 7:23:03 GMT -8
Some nice options. I'm not a big fan of the effect a rock guard has on the front window. It creates (a little) obstruction of the view and make the camper seem a little darker. Plus I tow with a Tundra which shields the camper from most small rocks. With that said, some rock guards are beautiful. Hi Friends, My only experience with a rock guard is the 60's version on my 50's Rod and Reel. I am assuming all are easily removable like mine. Maybe some are not. Some PO had mounted it at some time in it's history. I really like having light come into my trailer and when I don't want the shade from the rockguard, then I just loosen the wing nuts in the telescoping support arms and slide it out of it's track and set it over to the side. This process only takes a few minutes. However, it leaves the telescoping arms hanging down, but the trade off is more sun coming into the trailer. Rock guards can also offer an attractive adornment by offering an opportunity for adding character. I think PD's solution was a very resourceful one and it unifies well with the new paint on his camper. IMHO, on a newly painted camper, an aged and yellowed rock guard can look out of place, making painting an option. PD, did you ever consider putting the Lexan all the way across? Cheers, Rod |
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Post by bigbill on Nov 12, 2017 12:46:40 GMT -8
A rock guard does three things 1: shade 2: deflects rocks 3: when towing in a heavy rain it helps to keep the rain from going in through any small cracks/openings in the front window. The thing I dislike about them is they block the view into the trailer when towing, but I use a rock guard because the good out-ways the bad.
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