10.21.12 Skin patching/Polishing

10.21.12

We spent some time on YouTube finding out how to polish and shine “Tin Lizzzy” to it’s best.  The way we decided on is a 4-step process.  1. 400 grit sandpaper 2. 800 grit sandpaper 3. Black jewelers polish 4. White jewelers polish. Today we did the door side - steps 1 and 2.

 

 We also spent time patching some of the corrosion/holes with JB Weld. As “Tin Lizzy” sat for some time in a field, we can tell that one side got more sun than another, and one side had more water damage than another. So as a result the kitchen side needed a lot more patchwork than the other. As each piece of skin was patched we began taking up the kitchen side of the trailer.

10.19.12 Outside skin

10.19.12

 

Don't mind the tree droppings...windy day!

It was all about cleaning up & washing the outside skin both inside and out. After it was all washed up and scraped of any left over glue we missed the first time around, we tacked it up on the door side of the trailer. In the process of taking it all apart and then putting it all back together it was a monumental day for us as we start to realize that we are “almost” done.

 

10.2.12 Doors & POWER!

10.2.12

Today we rebuilt the screen door and painted it our accent color. We also rebuilt the front door and insulated it. Today was also the day we celebrated “POWER!” Was so great to see her all lit up at night.

 

9.30.12 Bench cushions, electrical & insulation

9.30.12

And I shall name her  “TIN LIZZY”………This weekend was all about Electrical, insulation, bench cushions, and fielding phone calls from my girlfriends wondering why I hadn’t filled them in on my little project.  I kept it quiet out of fear that A.  It wouldn’t get completed and B.  It wouldn’t get completed.    But now that I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’m happy to share my obsession.  It has really sparked interest in my girlfriends and we are already making plans to take “Tin Lizzy” out and about.

Electrical was all about getting a very detailed lesson from the very generous, and very knowledgeable Lowes employee. Who knew? Made some decisions as to where to put the electrical box, and outlets, lights, etc. and began the wiring. 

The benches were very easy however a little painful on the pocketbook. Was able to get the 5” thick foam at Joanns on sale for 50% off. Purchased 2 full pieces and will have some slivers of foam left over due to the awkward size of the benches. Also used a 50% coupon given to me by the nice lady in line who had an extra to purchase the Fabric. I bought 6 yards (with the advice of a tutorial I found online) and have plenty left over. I chose a good, sturdy leather looking vinyl.

Step by step: I measured the benches, made a square frame, and attached a sheet of the inner paneling. Cut the foam with a bread knife, and laid it on top of the frame. Covered it with batting, and then the fabric, flipped the whole thing over, pulled the fabric really tight and stapled it down. I added Velcro to the back of the upper cushion to keep it upright.

 Also began insulating the outside with rigid foam insulation.  Had to be sure to cut it exact so it fits tight and stays in place on the curves.

 

9.28.12 Kitchen install, bed frame

9.28.12

I have to say.........I live in a golf course community with lots of folks who walk our quaint streets. We constantly have passerby’s driving slowly to see the progress and more recently a set of regulars who now bring others as well to peek in the windows.   It’s been fun to show off our progress and see the excitement that everyone has about our project.  Up until last month I only knew the name of 1 of neighbors, now we know each other by name, and they are feeling comfortable enough to provide their input on what we should do and some even on HOW we should do it - It's been great.

 

OK, now here is your progress - The last few days were spent closing up the trailer with the inside paneling and framing out the back window. We also built out the back bed area. We were careful to be sure to put the large piece of plywood for the bed inside the trailer BEFORE we closed it up. We also installed the bed support with a piano hinge to access the storage under the bed (rather than a small door on the front).

 

 

 

 

  We also hung the cabinet doors using the newly painted old hardware and it looks great! 

 

 

You can certainly see progress in the last few days.  Next steps electrical, then insulation, outer skin, windows then done! J   Here is all the old, rotten, moldy wood from the old trailer ick.....

9.23.12 Kitchen

9.23.12

Today was all about the kitchen. Painted out the cabinet door hardware,

 cut out the IKEA butcher block for the counter, and very carefully cut out the inside of the sink as to reserve it for a sink insert,

 

 painted out the newly rebuilt cabinets,

installed the faucet (couldn’t reuse the original it was just too rusted), built out the cabinet doors and drawers.  I decided to  make the kitchen counter top all at the same level.  The original kitchen had a spot that dropped down above the ice box to place an indoor cooktop.  All of our cooking will be done outside.

9.22.12 Closet / Benches / Kitchen

9.22.12 

Rebuilt, painted and attached the closet.  Began the demo on the kitchen, disassembled the ice-box, sanded it  and applied the first coat of paint.  Applied the last coat of paint on the benches and attached the door side bench.  I decided to paint out the front of the ice-box in my accent color.  Was very fortunate to find in the spray can metal paint in my color. J  

9.21.12 Cabinets/Flooring

9.21.12

Rebuilt the upper cabinets only keeping the original face of the cabinets and replacing the paneling and support structure.  We also built out the bench seating, and put the first of 4 coats of paint on all the pieces.  We hung the 2 upper cabinets above the kitchen and the bench seating/table. 

 

 

Today we also laid the “wood-look” laminate flooring. 

9.19.12 Inner walls

9.19.12

Started to cut the inside paneling to hang.  We decided to keep the back open so that we could access the inside of the trailer a lot easier (rather than fitting thru the doorway) to hang the cabinets, put in the kitchen, closet etc. 

 

 

I did a couple of different tests on the paneling to decide if I wanted to Polyurethane it or paint it.  The trailer is so small I didn’t want it to feel even smaller by making it feel dark inside.  By far the Polyurethane won hands down, it makes my $11 a sheet paneling look like real wood.  I followed the instructions on the Polyurethane and sanded the inside, put up a coat, let it dry, sand again then apply a second coat.  It looks great!  It’s really starting to take shape.  I decided that I would paint the cabinets to keep it feeling bright, and since I am reusing the wood frames for the cabinets I felt I needed to prime and paint the wood since some of it showed signs of mold and I don't want it smelling musty or being an unhealthy environment....you can only sand it down so much!

Polyurethane on and it looks great!

 

09.17.12 Framing / cabinets

9.17.12

The curved framing has begun.  We double checked all of our previous measurements by laying the outer skin over our framing, and YAY!  So far so good….keep your fingers crossed.  

  

Also I have begun to dismantle the already crumbling cabinets.  Started sanding down the cabinets and cutting the new lumber to support the upper cabinets in the front and above the kitchen.

9.14.12 Side walls

9.14.12

As we framed up the kitchen side we were also duplicating our cuts so that we had a matching door side.  We flipped over our plywood template, laid down the door side tins and marked our door, window, storage hole, and stud placement.  It lined up perfectly to the other side <relief>.  Because we had already made our duplicate cuts this wall went much faster, added the paneling and up it went.  Both sides were bolted to the trailer and everything lined up perfectly.  Huge progress made today.

(Still have to fininsh cutting out the door way)

9.12.12 Side walls

9.12.12

 After the first wall was framed up we also decided to add the paneling while it was flat on the ground…then we raised our first wall!NOW it feels like progress!As we framed up the kitchen side we were also duplicating our cuts so that we had a matching door side.

 

 

9.11.12 Trailer, wall framing

9.11.12

The last few days were spent time finishing up the details of the trailer and securing it to the chassis.  We added 1 more support down the middle (original only had 1).

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then began to start framing the 1^st wall.  We used the tin from the kitchen side of the trailer as a template.  Placed the tin on plywood, traced in onto the plywood below, being sure to mark the window, and the holes in the tin that will be reused to attach the skin to the studs.  Got the 1^st wall built!  Beefed up the studs around the windows and where the upper kitchen cabinet will be attached as well.

9.7.12 Trailer work

9.7.12 

 

Trailer has been prepped and painted with a rust resistant paint and put back together.  Compare to previous picture and you can see that we welded 2 extra metal support cross-bars.  Took the old rotted floor out (see below) and used it for a template for measurement to make a new floor.  Purchased  Treated Plywood to make a new floor,  Treated lumber to support the underside, stainless bolts and screws to hold it all together.  Worked on cleaning the fenders and prepping them for the same paint as the Trailer frame.  Starting to take shape again!