1959 Bondwood Van project - Supalite?

[aquamum]

retro64 (Mrs) ;D ~I like that “work hard & be good to your mother” ~ thanks

cruisindoug ~ she is usually in “power mode” as it makes her run smoother, I only set the cruise cause she’s a 350 chev & pulls well at low revs (is that called torque?) ..... and given the low speed she shifted nicely up & down the auto gears on the many hills on the way home.
I’m off to read my manual now

[robbo3]

Just reading the story to date. is the van finished yet.

[akeepsake]

Me too! Would love to see some progress!
Don't keep us in suspenders!!

[aquamum]

Robbo3 & akeepsake

Is she nearly finished….nearly….we have replaced the roof which in hindsight I should have skimmed or patched rather than remove and replace – oh well you live and learn


Nude and waiting for her new timbers & ply



New front overhead cupboards



Does my new bum look big



Pink and Primed waiting for her new fabric roof

[akeepsake]

Nice to see it's still alive and kicking!
Looks like you are doing a fantastic job !
Keep the pics coming !!!

[aquamum]

akeepsake

Thanks for the support, we will keep chugging along now that we have the end in sight !!

[cobber]

Good on you Sandra, if you set your mind to it you might have it finished for the nationals..... maybe not the Broken Hill ones, but you're sure making progress.

Keep at it

Cobber.

[aquamum]

Thanks Cobber

I think my Gypsy deserves the honour of attending the Nationals as she and I have travelled many miles together in the past 12 months !!

I must say I am looking forward to camping in the Supalite's slightly bigger size than the Gypsy's 9'6" x 6'

[aquamum]

Well it's been a while since I last posted and worked on my Supalite :-( so as the weather here in Sydney is finally NOT cold, raining and windy I decided to bit the bullet and do my Canvas Roof.

Of course all my usual helpers, hubby and/or sons are working today as it's a Saturday :-)

Can I do this by myself?......What do I need to do this by myself hmmm?
Pictures and postings from other people on the Forum who have done this before !!
So I retrieved Gypsy10's last posting of his Canvas Roof install (I have a Gypsy Super Gem)

3 x ladders - two outside & one inside
1 x Calico 2400mm W x **5000 mm L (**just in case)
1 x roll of thick width masking tape - to gently stretch the calico

1 x pair of scissors - for the hatch
1 x tin of oil based undercoat - (some people like to use water based)
1 x roller, extention, small tin & paintbrush (hatch) & thinners


Side view



Front Left



Front Right



Rear Right




I have the original front metal weather shield which covers the front three front windows, and had my brother make another for the rear.

My next post will be photos of the top coat etc :-)

[Geoff & Jude]

well done sandra.

it's not that hard is it?

just a bit fiddly, with a tendency to cover you in a bit of paint.

i was lucky to have colin (colin and sue) helping me do the aerolite, so i didn't have to climb up and down ladders to go from side to side.

geoff 'n jude

[aquamum]

Geoff & Jude

I did feel a bit like a monkey today climbing up and down all those ladders :-)

I think your Aerolite is quite a bit bigger than my Supalite though.

However I got the job done with minimal paint splatter !!!

The hatch is quite tricky though and I'll be fixing that up tomorrow.

So long as she's watertight I'll be happy :-)

[cobber]

Good on you Sandra  .....you've got get up and go and guts too, nothing as satisfying as being able to say "I did it myself" ...... keep at it   

Cobber.

[aquamum]

Thanks Cobber

I'd much rather have had some help....one or two of my family are usually at home on Saturdays, today they were not LOL.

I'll plan it better next time :-)

[seeshell]

Hi Sandra

What a beautiful job you've done on your calico - and having looked at a few threads now on the topic, I know more than one person will be tipping their hat to you! How well organised you were, especially tackling this as a solo job. The taped down pleats around the top of the van have the symmetry of upholstery, and she's drum tight by the looks of it. Impressive, and good for another 60 years!

How far you've come since last year with the relocation of your vans - well done to you for having a go and persevering.

Looks Supa!
Seeshell

[aquamum]

SeeShell

Trust me when I tell you that it would have been a lot easier with help.

I had previously done a test run comparing the popular "slop method" over my "pin and paint over sloppy" method

Looking at it today it's looking good

Now to choose the top coat colour...sigh !!

[Gypsy 10]

Your a brave girl. You did it on your own. I called in my son and his wife and my wife. Ours was a bigger job but I'm proud of you Aquamum (should be Supermum).

[aquamum]

Gypsy10

It is a big job and it took me about 6 hours, however the weather was perfect !!! so I had to go for it !!!

and you all know I'm nuts

[DC3Td]

You`re nuts Sandra.Oh,you already said that.Seriously though,what a great job you`ve done.Couple of pats on the back wouldnt go astray.Bet the family were suprised.Well done. gordon

[aquamum]

Thanks DC3Td ~ Gordon

How's your vintage teardrop going?

[DC3Td]

Hi Sandra.Its going very slowly for a couple of reasons.One is i want specific items & look for the dual purpose fit-out with a clear coat finish highlighting its original timber & aluminium structure.No paint.But in minutes i can transform it to a very colourful different decor.Again no paint.No material.Just something i`ve been working on.Sourcing bits & bobs of an aviation theme has been painstaking particulary cost wise.Other stuff as an example,the 4" x 4" x 12` long tow rail which i bought maybe two years ago i had soaking in old engine oil for months in order to age it.Then it had to be completely dried,checked for any bow & dressed.I then made custom safety chain hitches & sleeves for it to slide into position whereby it then bolts to the bearers.This can be carried/lifted in one hand.(the angle supports that were on the original tow rail when i got it weighed some 60kgs alone!)I then made a folding landing gear which serves as a jockey wheel.The(landing)wheel is period correct & fitted with the original Firestone tyre.Other things like a radio antennae - i sourced an original Ferris(i have dozens of Ferris radios but no aerials)by itself is just another aerial but - housed within a DC3 ferro radar tube gives it the look i wanted.Period aircraft food storage containers painstakingly stripped/repaired/rerivetted/anodised.A porthole window that you`d never consider & functions without even cutting a hole in the skin.Yep,you can see inside/outside.Now thats got you wondering.You know about the sink so i won`t give anything away here.Ha,a 20 odd litre water tank thats just so different...no not the one i think i showed you.And the list goes on.But its all good & fun doing it. gordon

[aquamum]

Gordon

Sounds like you still have a ways to go

I look forward to seeing her again when she's finished !!

[rare00]

Can you tell me what you used to stick (?) the Calico to the roof of your van please ?

If I ducked down to my local Spotlight store, would they have Calico in a size to cover a caravan roof ?

One last silly question, is the thickness of Calico all the same ??

With many thanks

[aquamum]

Hi  rare00

Paint is used to "glue" the calico to the roof.

Take your time and do your research here on the Forum as to how to do it as it is a big job

Most people to the "slop" method, where you have two to four mates come over to help you slop paint down in small sections, then you roll the Calico over the paint, then apply more paint over the top, then squish it together using a brush or roller 

I did mine a different way - not everyone's "cup of tea", so far so good but she's not been "water tested" yet

Yes, I was able to buy the material in one piece as I measured my roof twice and allowed for extra overhang - very important !!

Wash the Calico and make sure it dries straight.

I know Gypsy10 did his roof earlier this year and it look great

Why not practice on small pieces of plywood first - I did !!

Cheers and good luck

[aquamum]

Rare00

PS - No questions are silly !! - Calico thickness - ask the shop but I think it's all the same

& I love your van !!!

[rare00]

Many thanks Sandra for you advise and experience.

Very much appreciated )