Prepping for paint and windows

We removed all the windows so we could re-seal them and clean them.
The previous owner had caulked them shut and boarded them up in an effort to seal out the cold.
They were a mess and we thought it would be easier to clean if they were removed.

Here is some of what we are looking at:

 This window took about 4 hours to clean.

 I am not really sure why there is caulking around the window crank, but they were also all encased.

 We are trying to find new gaskets for the Jalousie window:

 I think we found a substitute, but it isn't the same so not sure if it will work as well.  Keeping our fingers crossed!

Most Important Tool

I mentioned that the new mini air compressor was great but the best tool of all for the demolition portion was this little baby:

I don't know the official name but it was great at cutting out the paneling and whatever else got in my way.

Since we didn't remove the cabinets or the skin of the camper I couldn't remove the entire sheet of paneling so had to cut it out.  This tool enabled me to cut along the edge in a much more controlled manner than I could with a jigsaw, sawsall or even a dremel.  It got right up next to the edge and would cut on any side of the blade. 

1959 Forester Brochure

1967 Forester Ad

Cushions

I have completed the new dinette cushions!
They were actually much easier than I thought they would be.
The original cushions:

In the search for new foam I realized how expensive it was!  WOW! 

It would cost almost $100 just for the foam from JoAnn fabrics, and that was if I got it on sale.

There were cheaper online sites, but then I had to pay shipping. 

So after some thought I was wondering if there was a mattress that may be cheaper and I could cut it into sections.  I checked out IKEA - And found the perfect size - no waste!

 It is a fouton cover, and along with the foam I also got the mattress cover! 

 I was the perfect width - 31"  None of the other foam options came in that width
So out of the one mattress I cut two seats and two backs and had about 3 " of foam left over.

The trick to cutting foam?  Electric knife!  Who knew - well I guess everyone but me - anyway it was well worth the $12 investment. 

It cut the foam "like butter" - really -

I used the two zipper portions of the mattress pad for the seat cushions since I thought they may need to be removed and washed more often.  I sewed the missing edge out of muslin.  For the backs I just whip stitched the edges closed and figured if I needed to remove the covers and wash them it would be easy enough to resew them.

So I purchased this fabric and I decided instead of zippers I would use velcro.
One cushion:

 Two cushions:

 Completed cushions:

there is a little fabric left, I think I might use it to make some roman type shades for the windows.

The walls are replaced and the new light fixtures are in!

So we have gone from this:

To this:

We purchased pine paneling to install.  It was 5/16 wide, which was a little wider than the original paneling but much easier to install than full sheets of paneling.  It took 8 packs of paneling. 

The best purchase was a mini air compressor and nail gun:

 My dear sister came to recuperate after surgery and as part of her rehabilitation she helped install the paneling.  It went very smoothly and we did not make any errors - however we did have to make some 2nd and 3rd cuts!

So here are some additional looks:

 You can also get a peek of the new light fixtures.  The back ones swivel.  We purchased these at Menards.  These are on each side of the camper along with an electric plug. 

 We kept the original propane light over the dinette.

Installed a light on the kitchen side by the dinette, this is also from Menards and matches the bedroom lights.

 Under the shelf over the dinette we have small lightsand an electric plug.  These lights are from Ikea and just require a small hole to run the wire.  Mike rewired the lights to run on one string rather than the way they were originally packaged and then set them up to work on the switch rather than a toggle on the cord. 

So we will have a well lit camper!  It is great to have a husband that understands electricity!
Next up - cushions and sealing/painting

Insulation and Rewiring

My dear husband rewired the camper and updated the fuse box. 
Here is what we started with:

To the rear of the camper we added a few more lights along with a couple electrical outlets.  To the front we put lights under the shelf over the window, added an electrical outlet, added a light on the side of the kitchen and updated the outlet over the kitchen.  He also added an outside outlet and ran wire for an exterior light.  We kept the original propane light and rewired for the original ceiling light to run off a battery. 

The only original lights:

and the sideways one by the towel holder, forgot to get a good pic.

So we definitely needed at least better fixtures.

Once the wiring was completed it was time to insulate.  As you can see from the previous post the original insulation was only on the front and the rear and it was very thin.  So we are insulating just as you would a house.  However, since the studs on the Forester are just under 2" and insulation is over 3" thick we couldn't use manufactured insulation without some modification.  So I donned a mask and split a roll of insulation in half.  We (my wonderful sister came and helped) were then able to fit the insulation into the space between the studs.  Some of it had the paper back and other was fit in without paper.

Here is the final insulation job:

You can see Mike's electric wires hanging out.
Here is the new electric box.

Next post:  New walls!

In the Beginning

We purchased - or I should say traded - for our little vintage trailer. 
Joe, my son-in-law, had a boat motor and I had $100.

We got a 1965 16 foot Forester trailer and a generator with about 4 hours usage.

I think we got a good deal!

The previous owner used it as a hunting shack.  It was structurally solid but.....
the back window had been removed and boarded up.

At first glance, the rest was in good condition

 Until you look inside - then it got scary!

That's right - The entire inside was covered with shiny silver insulation. It was stapled on every few inches. And then it was taped with sticky silver tape. It was like you were in the mirror house at the county fair!

Even the door was insulated.

Contemplating keeping the curtains - mmm - not

And I love that brown and orange plaid
ahh - too bad it is 48 years old, otherwise I would have kept it.
They did have the original propane fixures - light, stove, heater.

So the first job was to remove the insulation.  That was quite a chore.  I am thinking maybe upwards of 500,000 staples! 

I was worried what it would look like once I got under the insulation but it wasn't too bad.  The paneling was damaged from condensation.  It was warped and in spots just disintegrated.  But - the structure was very solid.

Pictures with the interior paneling removed:

 Next up:  Insulation and electrical wiring