"The X-II" 5-Wide Convertible Teardrop

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Zach:

You are only hurting yourself by not admitting that this is an addiction. It's just like any other addiction. You will build #3.

I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem.










Ok. I might have a problem.

[Catherine+twins]

I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem. I don't have a problem.

lol My best friend of many years tried to build a trailer a few years back, but the heavy plywood defeated her and the friends she had working on it. Now I am working on my foamie again, and she is lined up to first help when I'm ready to stand up the sides, and then to have us work on her long-delayed trailer when mine is done. What makes me laugh even harder is that as soon as I started mine, I KNEW she would want one, so I have been planning hers for nearly a year before she asked if we could build her one.

This way I get to build a second one without worrying about where to park it or where the money comes from. And no, I don't rule out a third one. My kids are 10 now, so in another few years I will be able to down-size from the standy now on the saw-horses (needed room for bunks) to a classic teardrop for me alone.

Catherine

[TJinPgh]

Zach,
Ask yourself one question. How long did you own the convertible? 2 camping seasons, maybe?

How long into that was it before you decided you were going to build another one?

You do fantastic work.

The fact that you're stressing over paint schemes so much pretty much suggests that you're more than a little bit of a perfectionist.

I hate to break this to ya, but by the end of this year's camping season you'll already be noticing things that "if I had it to do over I'd do this differently."

I'd be willing to be that there's at least one thing you've noticed already.

So, assuming you like the general theme that you started with the convertible, it's probably in your best interest to at least entertain the notion of building another.

That aside, if you like the idea of a wider boarder, then you might want to consider something slightly different.

Paint the gray X first. Paint it in the same position as the White X, only offset back and about 1/3 the width of the stripe. So, if the width of the center of the x is about a foot, then shift it back by at least 4"

Then paint the white one over top of it, in it's original position, only end the bottom of the White X 4" above the bottom of the wall, instead of extending all the way down as it does now.

This will create a 3D effect, making it look as though the white X is floating above the wall.

I don't have the time to do a pic of it, but you probably get the idea.

-TJ

[Ratkity]

I think it's unanimous. Zach, you're hooked. There's no turning back. Don't fight it.

Hugs,
Ratkity

edit:spelling

[absolutsnwbrdr]

My buddy Dan came over yesterday and we got some wiring done for some of the interior lights. The lights in the pictures below are one of those things that I'll probably rarely use, but its fun just to have them there. They are LED strips that can change color, fade colors, strobe, etc. All controlled by a remote.

LED's off...



LED's on....















YOUTUBE VIDEO

Yes, I am a little crazy

[TJinPgh]

Very cool.

I'm thinking put some big speakers in there with some club music blasting and you'll be all set, lol.

[Martiangod]

Looks pretty cool, the bears in the woods wont know whats happening

[YOGI VOICE ] Quick Boo Boo Grab the Picnic basket and Run, here comes Mr Alien [\YOGI VOICE]

[Billy K]

OK,OK .. since two cents is worth it's weight in opinion...

I like the wide gray border "behind" the white ... then for number 3,
you could add the blue as a half width stripe between gray and white...
oops ..I think that makes me an enabler...

Cool ideas and top notch work..again

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Very cool.

I'm thinking put some big speakers in there with some club music blasting and you'll be all set, lol.

You read my mind!! I go to music festival camp-outs every now and then, and these will help me "blend in"

Looks pretty cool, the bears in the woods wont know whats happening

[YOGI VOICE ] Quick Boo Boo Grab the Picnic basket and Run, here comes Mr Alien [\YOGI VOICE]

I think that makes me an enabler...

Cool ideas and top notch work..again

You are an enabler!! HAHA thanks



On another note... I got this in the mail on Saturday

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Finished soldering the 4-pin connectors for the LED strips.



Taped off the galley to paint/texture the side walls. Also painted the inside of the hatch and the underside of the shelf/compartment.




Hard to tell, but the sidewalls are textured from using a sponge. Looks a heck of a lot better in person.



Last thing tonight, I primered/textured the "lips" for the LED strips.

[mezmo]

Hi Zach,

A thought just occurred to me as I was checking out the thread - on
your exterior painting scheme/design.

I believe I recall from way-back-when that the original design was based
on the Scottish flag, used as a nod to your heritage etc..

So, I was wondering if there is a tartan design that your ancestors used,
that you could incorporate in the exterior design or somewhere?

Just curious.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I believe I recall from way-back-when that the original design was based
on the Scottish flag, used as a nod to your heritage etc..

So, I was wondering if there is a tartan design that your ancestors used,
that you could incorporate in the exterior design or somewhere?

Just curious.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

You're correct Norm. That's one of the reasons I'm sticking with the predominately blue background with the white X, and just adding a bit to it. My Mom traced us back to the Leslie and Farquarson clans. Painting some tartan design on the outside would be pretty tough, but I've had thoughts of using some tartan fabric on the interior.

[Forrest747]

I am so jealouse of those LED lights I want some soooooo bad. I know what I want for fathers day or valentines. May put them out in the galley. Where did you get those?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I am so jealouse of those LED lights I want some soooooo bad. I know what I want for fathers day or valentines. May put them out in the galley. Where did you get those?

Picked them up on eBay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-4ft-5m-300P- ... 415ff4e0ea

There are a lot of people selling them on eBay, but pay attention to where they are located. Many of them are in Hong Kong. I got mine from a seller in Hong Kong, but it took about 2 weeks to arrive. Looks like there are a few USA sellers carrying these now.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

You ever have those nights where it seems like you get nothing accomplished? Tonight WASN'T one of those nights!

Got the rest of the LED's wired up!!

Started in the galley. The galley has two sets of lights. One set is controlled by a toggle switch in the galley. The other set is controlled remotely from my key fob.



The pair of LED pods that is controlled with the toggle switch are tucked up in the small storage shelf. The remote controlled lights are under that shelf.

Storage shelf door closed...



Storage shelf door open....



A shot of the under-shelf lights...



Once those were finished I moved my efforts to the interior cabin lights which are just 4 small warm-white LED pods mounted to the cross spars. I drilled some small holes diagonally from where the LED is mounted, through to the back edge of the spars to act as short wire chases and give it a cleaner look. Convertible remember? No roof skin to hide the wiring.









And finally for this evening, I finalized the side "porch lights." Each side light has 3 RGB LED waterproof pucks mounted to them. Then they get attached to the side using long screws and aluminum spacers.



The color of the side lights is controlled using 3 dials, and can be changed to whatever color blend I want.











Oh, and of course the little key fob remote toggles the interior cabin lights on and off, as well as the on/off function of the side porch lights. And the RGB LED strips.