The Charlie Project

[Forrest747]

I dont know if its angry with myself or summer time with the kiddos well i havent gotten around to working on the trailer much. Had the inlaws up for a family function this weekend but i did however squeeze in putting one of the latches in. i used an old door strike i had and cut out a spot for teh dead bolt and then add another screw but it was all good. i am happy with it. i have also found out which i kind of knew that either my doors are not right or my walls are not but the door sinks in about 1/4 of an inch at the top and flush at the bottom. not a big deal just a trim issue and im sure i will be the only one that notice.

[Forrest747]

Well i had a few moments last night cranked up the tunes and looked at tongue box the inside of the lid is gone. i will need to replace the bolts that the chains attach to they are bent. coupler looked ok will need to cut the front jack supports flush they got bent as well. all in all very lucky.

I also tackled my drivers door with the gap too big on the latch side. took it off the hinge butted it up against the side with a 1/8th inch space and pushe it up as high as i could. i then redrilled the holes for teh hinges and with the wifes help got it all done. routed out the spot for the door latch and installed the strike plate. i feel good about it. had to sand the top of the door to get a smooth closing and will need to play with it. it feels closer to being right.



Before with the huge gap

THe gap is shifted to the left side of the door and the catch is working as it should.

Underside of the tongue box lid

[Forrest747]

Well had a good fathers day. I got a set of pots and pans for the trailer. One of my daughters got me black pillowcases as a contrast to the red. I also think she wanted a red pillow case for her loft. The other daughter got me a larger fitted sheet. I also got some drawer liner for the top cabinet. I put them in the cabinet and they don't fit just right loaded up the silverware and it didn't fit either. The doors close but they are askew. Looking at the lower cabinets and have room for pots and pans under the sink so will need to dust and add liner to move the pots there. I am frustrated with myself not planning my storage better.

The front marker lights got soldered and working fine.Replaced the tow chains and worked on the wiring for the rest of the lights. When pulling noticed they were dim. Found I did not attach the ground. So will have to see if they are brighter when plugged into the jeep. The new tow chains are 1100 pounds capacity so hopefully 2200 pounds of safety chain, am i off on this or do i nned to get bigger chain. I also moved the chains attachment to the outside of the tongue. I am hoping this will cradle the tongue if/when this happens again.

Did find some damage i believe from the trailer coming off the hitch. inside one of my trim pieces in the loft popped off so i glued it back in place and a few screws.

On top of all that the girls in the house took me fabric shopping saturday and got some nice black vinyl for the door edges and hatch this is going to be intresting.

[Forrest747]

Well I have wantyed to paint for a few days get hopefully the last coat of paint on. So finished cleaning the rest of the duct tape off and started to sand a few of the runs I had in the finish. I also took the opportunity to sand the side edges of the fiberglass tape some more to get it to stand out less. The kids each took a rag and helped wipe it down. They want to help paint but was too close to bedtime to start so something to do tomorrow. Wife was asking where I was going since I was changing clothes. I said out into the garage and I got a "of course". Guess could go out with the guys drink and eat and waste 40 dollars or spend time with family at home.

[crumbruiser]

It looks really good.
Frank

[Forrest747]

Thank you Frank; thank you all for the compliments it really does mean a lot doing this for the first time. Well didn't get to painting till after bed time. I get out here and wham the rest of the paint firm as a raquetball. So rush to lowes wham they do not have sunrise red safety red yes sunrise no. So went to the hd wham the slot is empty hating life cleanup aile 3 is about to be called when I see a can misplaced. Get home and throw a coat on. Really want to get it on so that kids and I can do the black give that a couple of days to dry until I stencil the faux diamond plating on. The fiberglass tape edges are less pronounced but you can see them. I can live with it. Also need to pAint underneath at the edges of the plywood. Also bought some aluminum flat stock for the vinyl. I wonder if I took the vinyl and used it to hide the fiberglass tape edge how would that look.

Morning update. Looking at the paint you can tell where i missed so another coat to fix teh patches. also i am still getting runs not as many but annoying.

Friday update. WEll i taped off all the things i didnt want red paint on and hand brushed over the missed spots and looking at this morning i noticed a couple of runs but nothing to get excited over. hopefully tonight i will get the black done. spent the evening with the boys watching the NBA game. side note even thought Miami was all excited at teh end of the game I did think it was classy how Miami took the time to thank the other team just didnt get all caught up and saying we won. Sportsmanship.

[Forrest747]

Well have the final coats of paint on and looking great. Started to do some stenciling of teh diamond plating and have the rear hatch done for the most part. started working on the front and have a few mistakes to fix but i am feeling good about it.

sanding the fiberglass edge down

Still can see it but not as well, I can live with it

Working the brush

Kids Handprints

Rear hatch done

Gremlin helping paint the hatch floor.

[PSBreen]

Looking good. Love the hand print graphics.

[Martiangod]

Lookin great, really coming together, ya done good, A plus on the graphics...

[Forrest747]

Well was not happy with the stenciling looked terrible in spots. So I went to harbor freight and got a airbrush. Never used one before but I am loving it. The stenciling is taking a little longer as I get use to using it. Getting the output just right has been a challenge. Will post pics later. Get this painting done and then I can put the vinyl on. Kids are going to enjoy the airbrush.

[Oldragbaggers]

I too love the graphics.

[campmaster-k]

Great work thank you for taking the time to post your ideas and progress it helps us all.

[Forrest747]

I found at the end of a project the lead or VP gets up there and its all about how great and wonderful the project was. This all kumbiah and roses candles and a great work enviorment. All bs of course. No talk about the fights pencils through engine models or ruler sword fight. I find a project is more about those things the setbacks the brainstorming and solutions. Have to throw and see what sticks. We buikd off each ideas and experiences

[Forrest747]

Well its been a slow week here. Did not get to work on the trailer for the better part of the week. With that said I had a great day today. Started off taking the trailer on a trip to go see Steve and Cynthia trailer. Worked great pulled beautiflly anf there is a road that put the hitch through its paces. S&C trailer is a work of art very neat to see and help put 2 screws in the cabinet doors. It was fun. Got back homr and found the new lid for the tongue box was too small and not seeing how hinges will really work so I may just find something else to do. Finished the diamond plating look and just in time because with 2 diamonds to go my airbrush died. So took it apart. Word of advice don't take an airbrush apart, just sayng. Getting late so hooked up the trailer lights and they are much brighter since I hooked up the trailer ground wire. Looked at the ball hitch coupler looks tight and so I think the lock will do the trick. Waiting on snaps and then vinyl.

[Oldragbaggers]

Sounds like a real nice day.

I am waiting for the heat to break so I can get back to work. They are saying we'll be back down into the 80's by Monday and I can get back to my painting.