Building the "Heart of Gold" - Done 3/9/2014

[drewh1]

Dano - BTW, so cool you make guitars, your work is awesome.

What fenders did you use on your builds? Really struggling with what to buy. Also am concerned my doors are too far back . . .

drew.

[dano]

Drew thanks for the kind words. The fenders that you posted are the ones that I have on my trailer. If you're not sure if there will be too long I can measure mine for you just say the word I'll run out to the garage with a tape measure. Also I can't wait to see your tires and wheels it sounds perfect this is been a fun build thread thanks for sharing. I tried mothers on a portion of my trailer that need to get some of the caulking off. It worked but OMG it was hard work there's got to be a better way. Dano

[KCStudly]

Mothers is an abrasive polish. I wouldn't use it or other polishes on anodized aluminum as it will strip the finish off. I can't remember if you said whether your aluminum is raw or not. Just thought I would mention it.

A solvent or other cleaner might be better for removing adhesive stuff; try it on a scrap or unseen area first to make sure that it doesn't discolor.

Your work looks great!

[aggie79]

Drew,

The aluminum looks fantastic. Well done!

My aluminum is anodized so like KC said I put a coat of 100% carnuba wax on once a year. If yours is not anodized, you may want to try some solvent to remove smudges. Another thought might be some Johnson paste wax. I apply it using the non-scratch scotchbright pad to the cast iron surface of my table saw to keep it from rusting.

Take care,
Tom

[bdosborn]

Well done!

Bruce

[Phooey]

Your build is fantastic. I've really enjoyed watching it come together. I have found that Pam cooking spray will take pine sap and other sticky goo off of my car and trailer without messing up the finish. Spray it on and let it set for awhile. For really nasty spots I have used an old credit card as a scraper after the Pam has set for about ten minutes. No scratches, no damage to the finish.

[RandyG]

Yeah, I have a jar of Mothers at work and checked it first thing this morning. Don't use it on anodized, but I do get a mirror finish on raw Al. Good catch Kc!

[drewh1]

Thanks Phooey, i'll give it a try!

Tom - what fenders do you have have? Looks like you have 14" wheels as well. I'll see if I can find it in your build thread. I always enjoy going through it anyway.

drew.

[aggie79]

Tom - what fenders do you have have? Looks like you have 14" wheels as well. I'll see if I can find it in your build thread. I always enjoy going through it anyway.

drew.

Hi Drew,

My fenders are Grants 11" modernistic/cub/ken-skill fenders. My wheels are 15" x 7" and my tires are P235-75R15. (I went with the 75 ratio because I wanted a taller tire to "fill up" the fender well.)

Take care,
Tom

[drewh1]

Thanks Tom - the fenders and wheels look really good on your teardrop. I might be ending up with more of a modern look, mainly because of the doors, so I am not quite sure about fenders yet.

Hey - I do have another question - looks like you put the rivet heads underneath the hatch rather than on top. I have sealed rivets too but thought I should rivet from top down. Are you happy with the look, happen to have any close up shots? Did you use washers? Oh crap, too many questions . . .

[aggie79]

Thanks Tom - the fenders and wheels look really good on your teardrop. I might be ending up with more of a modern look, mainly because of the doors, so I am not quite sure about fenders yet.

Drew,

I think the arched steel fenders would look fantastic on your teardrop. Maybe paint them black to match the door trim or paint them a blue or red to give some "pop" to the color.

Hey - I do have another question - looks like you put the rivet heads underneath the hatch rather than on top. I have sealed rivets too but thought I should rivet from top down. Are you happy with the look, happen to have any close up shots? Did you use washers? Oh crap, too many questions . . .

The only pictures I have are the trim with sealant applied and one looking at the bottom side with the trim installed.





As with most of my build the hatch trim method I used was overly complex and unnecessary. First, I cut a strip of aluminum to go on the underside of the hatch projection, from the rib to the outer edge of the hatch, and glued it into place with sealant. Then I "pre-bent" the hatch trim and clamped it in place. Next I pre-drilled the holes for the rivets using the factory punch holes in the trim as a guide for spacing. The holes were drilled through the hatch trim, the aluminum sheet on the outside of the hatch, the plywood extension of the hatch, and the aluminum strip glued to the underside of the plywood. Then I removed the clamps and applied sealant to the bottom side of the hatch trim. The hatch trim has a small leg on the inboard side - I think its purpose is to raise the bottom the trim for sealant. To keep the trim from "rolling" as I applied the rivets, I used a small washer at each rivet hole between the hatch trim and the aluminum on the outside of the hatch. I then riveted the hole assembly from the underside.

I installed the rivets this way because I wanted as flat as possible surface for my double row of weatherstripping and I thought the "nubs" would not fit in the clearance between the hatch and sidewalls.

Take care,
Tom

[drewh1]

Tom - wow, thanks for the detailed reply, I am not sure what you did was unnecessary, you are just thorough. I think I need to put the rivets in from the bottom the way you did. Otherwise, my weatherseal will be compromised. so thanks. and yes, I will try the stock fenders first, once I get my wheels.

drew

[drewh1]

Another milestone! the hatch is skinned, and brake lights mounted. I also installed the galley seal. Look's like it is mostly sealing but might need a little tweaking.

also got my tires, and the wheels should be here today too.

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[drewh1]

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a couple more picks.

[Gunguy05]

GORGEOUS!!

Having that galley finished, the wheels on the way, and all that aluminum hanging must be awesome!!!!

Looks like the aluminum went one really well, that is one of the things that I am the most unsure about on our build. I can work a hammer, saw, and maybe a router, but the alumimum (especially the trim) scares the crap out of me.

Keep up the great work. You're almost there!