nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,744 
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on May 31, 2014 19:08:23 GMT -8
I'm considering replacing the front and back (lower) skin on our Shasta. I can't help but wonder if it will be obvious once it's painted. The old skin will have bumps and dings, the new will look showroom perfect.
Anybody have experience with mixing old with new?
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator 
Posts: 4,781 
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on May 31, 2014 19:14:28 GMT -8
It will all have bumps and dings in another 50 years. I say go for it.
|
|
chametzoo
Full Member
Posts: 585
Likes: 128
1960 Mobile Scout
Currently Offline
|
Post by chametzoo on May 31, 2014 20:45:47 GMT -8
It will all have bumps and dings in another 50 years. I say go for it. LOL to that! Sure… go for it. Why miss an opportunity to improve your rig? At another time… most likely before 50 years, you'll need to replace the other skin and then it'll match. What's the reason for just doing the front and back? |
|
|
|
John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 575
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on Jun 1, 2014 14:15:07 GMT -8
I'd replace it. Just have it made to match your existing pattern. Nothing looks worse than a bright shinny new paint "job over dents".
You might also consider using a new panel on the front with a "pebble" rock guard pattern so it does not show the new stone dents.
|
|
|
|
Post by universalexports on Jun 1, 2014 15:56:02 GMT -8
I would rather have pieces new skin, than beat up old busted skin.
|
|
|
|
Post by bigbill on Jun 1, 2014 16:36:09 GMT -8
I don't think anyone will notice they will just think you have a nice trailer that has been taken care of.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,744
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jun 2, 2014 5:10:34 GMT -8
I agree, fresh painting over dents looks lousy. But I think it will look obvious that those two areas are perfect and the rest of the camper has a ding here and a scratch there. But replacing really nice, original skin seems like overkill. And bondo on such thin aluminum seems like a short term gain with potential for long term pain.
|
|
mobiltec
5K Member
I make mistakes so you don't have to...
Posts: 9,822
Likes: 3,749
1954 Jewel In Progress...
Currently Offline
|
Post by mobiltec on Jun 2, 2014 21:03:55 GMT -8
I have been moving more towards replacing than fixing when it comes to metal. Long term that way.
|
|
heron2000
New Member
Posts: 8
Likes: 3
Currently Offline
|
Post by heron2000 on Jun 12, 2014 6:28:09 GMT -8
I replace the front and back bottom with diamond plate - looks great
I still don't know an easy way to post pics on this site
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jun 12, 2014 21:43:49 GMT -8
I've done both. On the Bellwood, the new front skin wasn't really "mill" finish but aluminum with a clear coat. It looks pretty good, but you can tell it's new:  The 58 Cardinal got all new skin and roof:  The metal dents and scratches easily, more so than the original skin. Looks very good and not hard to work with, just a bit on the delicate side. Here, the Little Dipper got a new roof but kept the original siding:  It looks pretty good! I say replace badly damaged and torn skin if necessary. Keep all the old you can, especially in a 50s canned ham with aircraft grey aluminum... |
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,744
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jun 16, 2014 4:04:44 GMT -8
"I say replace badly damaged and torn skin if necessary. Keep all the old you can, especially in a 50s canned ham with aircraft grey aluminum..."
Thanks for the photos. It looks like painted might show dings and dents when mixing old with new skin and aircraft grey aluminum is more forgiving. I'm leaning toward replacing the front and back.
|
|
chametzoo
Full Member
Posts: 585
Likes: 128
1960 Mobile Scout
Currently Offline
|
Post by chametzoo on Jun 16, 2014 15:18:36 GMT -8
I replace the front and back bottom with diamond plate - looks great I still don't know an easy way to post pics on this site Heron… have you figured out how to post pictures yet?… I'd love to see how you used diamond plate. I've got some on my Mobile Scout as well. |
|
chametzoo
Full Member
Posts: 585
Likes: 128
1960 Mobile Scout
Currently Offline
|
Post by chametzoo on Jun 16, 2014 15:33:48 GMT -8
I've done both. On the Bellwood, the new front skin wasn't really "mill" finish but aluminum with a clear coat. It looks pretty good, but you can tell it's new: The metal dents and scratches easily, more so than the original skin. Looks very good and not hard to work with, just a bit on the delicate side.Vikx… I suspected that the new aluminums for RV's (like from Hemet Valley) are a lighter gauge. It appears to have more of a 'foil' look to it. Is that always the case or do they have heavier gauge sheets? Also, what type of seam profiles are you using on your trailers? |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jun 16, 2014 20:33:48 GMT -8
The new metal is 24 gauge, thinner than the original. Aircraft aluminum was used just after the war, from the late 40s to the mid 50s. (must have run out after that because the metal was lighter ga.)
The Bellwood is a 6 inch break, Cardinal is 4 inch and the Little Dipper is 2" Mesa 3 D. (Mesa pattern on a 2 inch repeat with 3 small lines in the Dip)
Hope this helps.
|
|
