Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:31 pm

Im going to work on the Original Ice Box from the Kit in the next few days to come . I want to restore this but I have a question for you.

Can I sandblast this or just go and polish this up to bring it back to its original shine or should I just leave it and wash it out good? Or the next is that I can take this to the metal shop and they will make me an identical one.. :thinking:

Here is a pic.

by **Shadow Catcher** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:28 pm

The first question is what is it made of? My bet would be galvanised steel.

by **Rock** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:49 pm

CF,

That is almost certainly made from steel coated with a thin layer of zinc (galvanizing) to protect it from rust. Sandblasting or any other abrasive would remove the zinc and cause it to rust.

Also the zinc is meant to be sacrificial meaning that it "rusts" instead of the steel and will not last forever. Maybe best to have a shop fabricate one out of galvanized steel for a restoration of this caliber

Eric

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:10 pm

Shadow Catcher wrote:The first question is what is it made of? My bet would be galvanised steel.

To my knowledge it is galvanized steel or aluminum which Im not so sure but my guess its steel. Maybe Im wrong. :thinking:

Maybe someone with a Kit will reply?

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:13 pm

Rock wrote:CF,

That is almost certainly made from steel coated with a thin layer of zinc (galvanizing) to protect it from rust. Sandblasting or any other abrasive would remove the zinc and cause it to rust.

Also the zinc is meant to be sacrificial meaning that it "rusts" instead of the steel and will not last forever. Maybe best to have a shop fabricate one out of galvanized steel for a restoration of this caliber

Eric

Good Evening Eric.. It does look galvanized to me but which?? :thinking:

I know what galvanizing is but to be honest I cant tell if its aluminum or steel .. I can try a magnet to see if it sticks.. hmmm a stainless one would look good wouldnt it??

by **doug hodder** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:24 pm

Mine was galvanized steel... Doug

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:27 pm

doug hodder wrote:Mine was galvanized steel... Doug

Im sure this has to be just that. Doug did you restore it in anyway or did you just leave it alone? Maybe just wash it up real good and disinfect?

Thanks for your reply ..

PS Galvanizing is cheap here knowing the right people. Maybe I will have it re - galvanized?? What do you think? :thinking:

by **Shadow Catcher** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:34 pm

Galvanizing because of its grain structure, huge, has a very distinct look and yes SS would look nice, but...
Try cleaning first!

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:36 pm

Shadow Catcher wrote:Galvanizing because of its grain structure, huge, has a very distinct look and yes SS would look nice, but...
Try cleaning first!

Shadow Catcher or.. what would be a good cleaner for it? :oops:

by **Mike Angeles** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:38 pm

Stainless replacement sure would look nice, But heavy in weight and cost, sand blast with walnut shells maybe. Just a thought

Mike

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:43 pm

Mike Angeles wrote:Stainless replacement sure would look nice, But heavy in weight and cost, sand blast with walnut shells maybe. Just a thought

Mike

Mike its a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for you reply :thumbsup:

I,ll let you know what the outcome is

by **Mike Angeles** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:35 pm

My Pleasure,

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5031247_cl ... metal.html

Mike

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:48 pm

Mike Angeles wrote:My Pleasure,

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5031247_cl ... metal.html

Mike

Mike my wife said vinegar,, sure enough its mentioned in that link you provided as well as dish washing liquid or other mild detergent..

Thanks again :thumbsup:

by **Shadow Catcher** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:14 pm

Start with the least, dish soap and worrk your way up.
We have across the pond in this country a product that is basically crushed egg shell Bonami which in reality is very nonabrasive and more a polish.
As you are aware by now I am in favor of preservation rather replacement if at all possible. what you might want to consider is a SS liner for practicale use.

by **chorizon** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:19 pm

If you need to figure out whether something is steel (galvanized or whatever) or aluminum, use a magnet.

If the magnet sticks; its steel.

If it were mine, I'd "reverse-engineer" the ice-box and create a drawing for future reference that could be fabbed-up by a sheetmetal shop in the future or shared with others.

If need be, I'd make mine from aluminum, but that's my personal preference.

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Original Ice Box from Kit - Question.

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