Kamp King last pics, journal is complete.

[PKCSPT]

Always learn something new here,, oil canning.

[doug hodder]

I'm thinking of sanding and painting my .040 mill finish aluminum using a HVLP sprayer. Any hints/suggestions you can give for getting good results and a durable finish? Self-etching primer first?

I pre-sand with like 150 then primer over it. I shoot an epoxy primer so it needs a light sand then paint it. You can go either single stage paint...(just paint with a hardener in it for gloss) or 2 stage, which is a paint coat, followed up by a clear coat for the gloss. It's more expensive. On this trailer I'm just going to do single stage paint.

If new to painting and unsure how you can doctor up your paint...don't! Just follow the instructions and the paint supplier typically has a cut sheet on the specific products to read so that you can get good results. Make sure your gun is nice and clean, filter your paint and shoot something like a trash can of scrap piece of material to check your spray pattern before you hit the trailer with it. How good your paint job comes out depends on how well you have prepped the surface to be painted. You might do a practice piece like the wheelbarrow, or a trash can if you have never painted. Practice makes perfect. I always want perfect...but seldom get that result. For a home painter, dust and bugs are typically your worst issue. Good luck. Doug

[doug hodder]

Yesterday, Steve E came by and we cut up the roll of aluminum and got 2 sides hung. 6 x 12' side pieces are a hassle to move around and get installed. The electric shear worked wonders and made the shaping relatively quick. Unfortunately, it was like 90F and with the aluminum in the sun, Steve had to hold a sheet of plywood over me so that the reflection on the aluminum didn't block out the line I was trying to follow.

Today I'll go trim up the windows closer and rout them and shoot some staples into the rest of the siding. We just got them up and hanging, windows cut out. The router doesn't like the .040 aluminum unless it's just cutting a small strip, I think a spiral bit would be a big plus but don't have one. I did the Nomad with it and it worked fine...but it was .025. We cut the remainder of the material up into sheets for the roof. It was a full day and I'm feeling beat up today. Doug

[Greg M]

Why separate sheets for the roof instead of one continuous piece?

[jonw]

I pre-sand with like 150 then primer over it. I shoot an epoxy primer so it needs a light sand then paint it. You can go either single stage paint...(just paint with a hardener in it for gloss) or 2 stage, which is a paint coat, followed up by a clear coat for the gloss. It's more expensive. On this trailer I'm just going to do single stage paint.

(snip)

Good luck. Doug

Thanks Doug. I'm not new to HVLP spraying as I did my woody sides with it with Helmsman Spar Urethane and got great results. Just never painted aluminum before and there seems to be lots of prep options: vinegar, self etching primer, etc.

Good to know your system... thanks.

[doug hodder]

Greg..I have no place to paint a piece that large and I'm going to be doing a lot of this by myself. Not that it would ever happen, but if there were any major damage to the roof, a section piece would be easier than trying to cut up/repair a large single piece of material. There will only be 2 seams across the roof. None in the flattest portion. Doug

[Greg M]

What? You can't just hang it in a circle on the walls of the spare bedroom?:)
Makes sense to me, having tried to muscle around large pieces by myself too.

[doug hodder]

Right now...the living room has all the windows, cushions, trim rings, screen door, table, curtain rods, awning, several drawers, mattress and other crap in it. I'm full up on trailer parts in the house...and the spare bedroom is upstairs. I was just working on the sizes for the roof material and will cut about 27 inches of excess material to make them all fit. I think I've got the painting steps all worked out...may only have to shoot 1 piece not attached, which will be a big help and that piece will be up on the roof...out of site, out of mind, only the black helicopters will see it. Doug

[Greg M]

Ah, the things we do for love

[Kim Armstrong]

You do fabulous work. How tall is just the camper body itself?

[doug hodder]

Body is 75 1/2"....interior height 72". Doug

[doug hodder]

Steve E came by today and helped me get the rear and front pieces of the roof on. I have 1 last piece to put up, but it's going to have to wait until I lower the trailer. We cut it to size so it'll be ready to paint. I'll pre-paint it then do the install on it. I'm also going to put in a couple of pieces of 3/4" square aluminum heavy wall tube across the top for snow load. Older Aristrocrats had a piece of material up there and with this large roof and the snow I get, (also the original had collapsed the roof), I figured it would be a good idea.

Next step...fit up the door, build the storage hatch, scuff sand the entire trailer, and prime. It's going to get 2 colors of primer on it...dark grey for the bottom and, white for the primer under the yellow and silver section. Doug

Not a lot of room to work with on the roof.



All edges get a trim cap...it'll hide a lot.

[doug hodder]

I had gotten kind of burned out on the whole thing...went to the Dam Gathering, took a business trip 1 weekend and then the weekend at Fallen Leaf Lake where this trailer was supposed to be completed for. Guess that didn't happen. It was good to see about 40 other vintage trailers out and being used so it got me re-inspired.

Today I did the final fit up on the door and cargo door, scuffed the 2 sides for paint, and got 5 windows installed plus roughed out the graphic stripe that is going on it. It will be a dark charcoal metallic on the bottom portion, light silver on the stripe with a small name badge in the vertical portion, and a yellow on the top side and roof. Plan is for a black pinstripe on all the paint contacts. Bought all the paint on Friday so as soon as I get the sides done, I'll shoot them. 3 colors of paint and 2 of primer will keep me busy masking.

I also found what I think will be some fun interior decor items. Doug

[Greg M]

Love the pennants, I used to collect them when I was a kid. All gone now, but they make me nostalgic.

[S. Heisley]

You're so close to done now, Doug. We're all still watching.

Glad you're back, working on it.