Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am skinning the inside of my trailer with birch plywood. I want to replicate the look of the birch campers of the 50's. A gold or yellow tone color stain was pupular. I have tried Minwax golden oak and it is close but I am wondering what others have used to obtain the desired result. I also used some pine trim around the windows and door. Should I use a sealer on just the pine or on the pine trim and birch ply?

Thanks in anvance of any input.

I think Doug might be able to offer some thoughts....

Doug...oh Doug Hodder...where are you?

I've had really good luck with the medium yellow aniline dye from Woodworkers Supply. I use the water based stuff. If the paneling is installed, you can get one of those dishwasher sponge things with the handle that can hold soap. Fill it with dye and mop it on.

What's nice is that it comes as a powder and you can make it as intense as you want. It blends nicely if you do a final wipe down with a damp cloth. Hit it with some fine sandpaper to get the little hairs off since it will raise them prior to finish application and between coats. If you decide to make it darker...do another coat, too much...wipe it down again with a damp cloth, it's very forgiving. Experiment with the color you want. Also...make sure that you get paneling that is all fairly equal in color. Darker sheets, will of course show darker. Not the best pic, but gives you an idea of it. Just what I did. Doug

see the difference on the doors....different sheet of goods



Pre trim and molding pic.

Oil based polyurethane or spar varnish is amber colored and will amber up the wood you have as well.

Truly sweet trailer Doug!

Hi,

I've had success with Watco Danish oil finish.

By mixing Golden oak, Fruitwood, and Cherry, I get a very nice "Golden glow".

10 parts Golden Oak, 2 parts Fruitwood, and 1 part Cherry.

The final finish makes a contribution too, if amber.
When doing your tests, be sure to apply the stain (one or more coats) allow to dry, then apply the finish (again, as many coats as will be applied to the finished panels).
4+ coats of amber finish will change the final tone.
This isn't a problem if you understand how it happens.

Key is to make your test panels exactly as the wall panels will be done.
Takes time, but no surprises!

Rob

<iMg src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/new%20sportsman/interiorrearpanelingNEW.jpg?t=1250164214">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/blog%20spot/0010.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/new%20sportsman/NEWKITCHEN.jpg?t=1250165313">

Rob...Have you been hiding something from us...That's not the cabin car

I guess I'm the only one old enuf to remember that color was called 'Blonde'?

Rob...Have you been hiding something from us...That's not the cabin car
_________________
Bob Richert

Bob,

The pictures are of a trailer I rebuilt a few years ago.

http://mobilesportsman.blogspot.com/

Rob

Bookmarked that link... what a remarkable, tasteful transformation!

That's one of the most beautiful, most appealing travel trailer interiors I have ever seen, Rob... truly.

48Rob wrote:

Rob...Have you been hiding something from us...That's not the cabin car
_________________
Bob Richert

Bob,

The pictures are of a trailer I rebuilt a few years ago.

http://mobilesportsman.blogspot.com/

Rob

Thanks Rob...great job on the restoration

Rob,
REALLY nice work on that one! Genuinely a notch above.

Thanks!

It was a very enjoyable project.

My interpretation of/wish list for, a vintage trailer.
(Still miss that microwave...)

Rob

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Sportsman%20for%20sale/67.jpg?t=1250203732">

More detailed pictures if anyone is interested in looking.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v284/ ... or%20sale/

Rob...I am truly humbled. What an absolutely wonderful rebuild on that interior! I've been looking around for some aluminum extrusions like you used on the corners of the cabinets. I've been doing the satin finish, but really like the appearance of the gloss that you've done. It just has a wonderful depth to it. Who's extrusion corners did you use on this build or were they originals? I'm clanking around tonight on the internet and looking for some extrusions for a similar treatment. I'm trying to find the inside 90's for the corners and the nice radius ones on the outside corners. Those are just killer! Doug

Hi Doug,

Thank you.

The interior metal trim work is old stock aluminum from the 50's or so.
I bought a large quantity from an old lumberyard/millwork shop that had been shut down since the early 70's (they kept doing millwork, but just left the lumberyard stock as it was).
The fellow was addicted to auctions, and had the place packed full of purchases.
He had bought the trim from a kitchen remodeler/countertop maker.
Back then, there was a different piece of metal trim for every application in kitchen and bath wall installation.
It was/is like applying a thin laminate/masonite to the walls, with the edges of the material being covered and protected by the metal trims.
Neat stuff to work with!
I got lucky and bought a nice selection of slotted nickel plated screws from the same place, they go well with the vintage trim, just the right amount of shine!

The inside corner trim is from that batch.
The large outside corner trim is bullnose edging for stairs.
It is old stock too, and hard to find, but still out there.

Modern bullnose edging lacks the decorative fluting and polished surface., and is not as wide...at least those available to the general public.
Someone in the flooring business may have a lead on a reproduction type, or something made for commercial application.

Rob