You're Gonna Eat Lightning And Crap Thunder!

Because Mickey would have wanted it that way.


My folks weren't the only ones working in a sweat shop. During a conversation I had with some of my Airstream buddies, I decided that I'd been taking it too easy, luxuriating in the Airstream's A/C and not getting enough work done. Progress had been slow, and I had deadlines approaching.

So I turned off the A/C, opened up the Airstream, clicked on the Fantastic Fan, and went to work. I felt like Rocky, training in that old-skewl gym in Philly. And, it felt good!

First, I cut some aluminum to trim out the bedroom walls.





Then I called up some Muscle to help me install aluminum panels on the bedroom ceiling. Several months back I had begun stripping the aluminum with the intent to polish, as I did for the bathroom lower panels, but ultimately decided it would be easier just to cover it with fresh new aluminum. So my brother Evan and my friend Greg, two characters seen before in this blog, took some time to come help me hang the aluminum.

I measured and cut, and then had to tape off and cut the openings for the light switch and light fixture:


My wife couldn't help but wonder if we were actually working, or just drinking beer, but she took the picture anyway:


The usual-- drill, cleco, and rivet. Only this time, it was all over our heads.





Yes, it can be pretty blinding in there. here's to you, Evan and Greg-- thanks for the help!

With the ceiling panel finally in, it was time to decide what to do about lighting. I had considered installing some recessed 12V lights along each side of the bedroom, but then I discovered something, or rather, remembered something I once knew a while back. I was thinking about repainting my light fixture, which looked like this when I received the trailer:


I began to sand off the heavy latex house paint that had been painted onto it, and something shiny began to peer through. That's when I remembered these fixtures were made of aluminum. Out came my old Citristrip, but that only got the job half-done. The latex house paint came off, but the original, thin, baked-on enamel coating was holding firm in several places. On Frank's recommendation, I picked up a quart of Aircraft Remover, and within 30 second the tough enamel was melting away. After some MEK to clean the residue, the end result:


In bare metal, I absolutely love this fixture. It looks so "Jetsons!"

So, with the new aluminum ceiling in, and my lighting solution determined, I began putting the furniture back in. As I said, I was working with no A/C, and decided that taking breaks for pictures was not productive. So, here is the way she currently sits:

Full view straight down the main aisle, the lighting fixtures and overhead doors are painted a soft green to complement the celery cushions.


The gray twill bolsters in place, and behind them, the wall is lined with a padded "headboard" of faux ostrich leather.


Above, the original oak cabinets have been refinished in mahogany stain.

The "Jetsons" lighting fixture in place.


Two-tone green lighting fixture above the bed.



You've seen this shot before, now the wardrobe wall is painted out in white marine urethane paint.

The shower wall is also painted in the white marine paint, and the shower mixer has been moved from the side of the vanity, to the wardrobe wall. I have yet to install the tub trim to cover the edge where the tub is riveted to the wall, and to help channel water off the wall and into the tub.


But with the move of the mixer to the wardrobe wall instead of the vanity, now the shower head can be placed at full height to take a standing shower, rather than about half that height on the curved dome, as it previously was.

A shot back toward the front end. Man, that galley and lounge area need a makeover now!



There's still some trim work, and one other major feature on the beds yet to install. More updates coming soon! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

"Yo, Adrian..."