dragonflyinthesky's '61 Shasta Conversion

[She]

Dragonfly I was on your blog and your little sanitee is looking good.&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif">&nbsp;I was wondering how the reflective paint is working out. When your working on it do you feel the temps. a little lower? Im interested in this stuff. May be getting my own to paint up there.....as soon as I get a van.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Dragonfly I was on your blog and your little sanitee is looking good.&nbsp;<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif">&nbsp;I was wondering how the reflective paint is working out. When your working on it do you feel the temps. a little lower? Im interested in this stuff. May be getting my own to paint up there.....as soon as I get a van.

It works well.&nbsp; I tested several areas and ways. I painted it lower on the back-I will take a pic so you can see what I mean. This was touch tests by me and friends in August when the temps were over 96 degrees and in the sun.&nbsp; No paint areas for control- of course burning to the hand, could not even hold the hand on it., Area with just the&nbsp;elastomeric paint you could hold your hand on. I also overpainted with gloss white enamel. No difference. It never occurred to me to get a thermometer strip at the time. It is cooler now so it wouldn't tell us much.<BR>The elas. paint is dull and collects dirt and grime. Probably does not matter on the roof. I intend to paint it several feet down on the sides of Little Sanitee. Lots of sun hits the sides as well so I think I may do a little overkill since I got a deal on 5 gallons.&nbsp; It has been over a month and the test areas with enamel over the elas. has shown no signs of breaking down or chipping.&nbsp; I intend to have this in hot areas and high elevations so time will tell. You need to be careful when mixing different paints(I don't mean mixing as in combining, let base coats dry then a different kind. It matters which you use first, enamel over&nbsp;latex etc). I am hand painting with brush and roller.&nbsp; I am not doing this camper for resale, it is 50 years old with lots of dings anyway. Doing a vehicle would make a difference but for my purposes it is fine.<BR>When I first started using the paint, I found it difficult. It seemed to apply best in the morning when the paint itself was a little cool. Later in the day when it heated up it dripped a lot and covered differently. I was doing most of it when it was really hot. I was frustrated at getting so little done and pushed more than I should have. I would apply in 80 degrees or less next time. PS Area with just the gloss white enamel was also to hot to touch, thats why I'm going further down the sides.<BR><FONT color=#990066 size=3><B>Dragonfly</B></FONT><BR>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

I wish my Texas friends&nbsp;would get some of this rain. We have come close to breaking records and it has been hard to get anything done on the outside of the trailer. Except for the electric inside, most of what I am going to do is done. I have been doing most of the repairs myself. A friend who is a retired electrician is doing those repairs. Now, I know I shouldn't complain about free labor but I am starting to think he doesn't want me to leave. Lots of little comments and going real slow.<BR>Anyway, a few days ago between rain I decided to repaint this Koi picture on the front of Little Sanitee. Included are before and after pics.<BR>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

My daughter and her boyfriend came over to visit yesterday.&nbsp; I decided to try out the stove for the first time. The cookies came out pretty well and the hot&nbsp;spiced cider was good.&nbsp; I made the cider on the stovetop in my old enamal perculator.&nbsp; I was looking at those in Wallyworld the othe day and they have become very expensive.&nbsp;Sometimes you can find enamel ware at thrift stores.&nbsp;There is a bottle of Witch's Brew spiced wine <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif">&nbsp; We all tried a sip, yuck.<BR><FONT color=#00ff00><B>Dragonfly</B></FONT><BR>

 

[Safaribob]

From the sound of your post and look of the cookies, your first try of the stove appears to have been a success.&nbsp; Congrats on that!<br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>Thanks guys, this is a 'Princess' brand.&nbsp; It came with the trailer.&nbsp; I see lots of different brands on Craigslist for 20 to 50 dollars.&nbsp; We took the few parts there are on it, off and vacumed the tubes. A very simple thing, a gas oven.&nbsp; If I ever decide to build a little shack on my NM property, I will probably look for something like a camper stove. Sized just right.</P>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Some very beautiful fairy pictures on your link.&nbsp; I am almost finished painting a mermaid opposite the koi on the front of little sanitee. It is very chilly here and I have to come in to warm up by the fireplace now and again, see whats going on at the&nbsp;old forum then do some&nbsp;story writing. &nbsp;It is still within the parameters of not being to cold for the paint.&nbsp; It will dry before <FONT color=#000000>frost hits it tonight. Usually I can either write or do art, not both at the same time. Today my head won't let me stop doing both but thats okay.</FONT><br><b><FONT color=#00ff00 size=4>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

yummm cookiessss<div><br></div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Last few days left to finish up the base coat of paint on the trailer. Big Guy still has some electric to do, PO's did a remarkable job on boobie trapping the wiring so it has taken much more of a job than we thought.&nbsp;Big Guy absolutely will not accept twisted wires and electric tape. When I first was working on the trailer, everytime it rained, I got shocked when I touched it. <BR>My cousin will weld a new bumper. If I can afford it, I'm thinking of seeing if he can lift it too.&nbsp; I like to get off the beaten path.<BR>Tires, brakes and wheels are on the list. And a brake controller box for the truck. <BR>Mermaid is on the front of Little Sanitee, I think she turned out well. <BR>

 

[She]

Very pretty. Love the way she's gracefully holding the fish.&nbsp;<div>Little by little little sanitee is getting on the road. How far you've come with it!!</div>

 

[Seraphim]

<P>When it's done, let me take some photos...</P>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Nice work, Diane!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Thanks everyone<IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">&nbsp; </b><br><b>I would love to have some good pictures taken Seraphin.</b><br><b>She, little rat boy Chase will show up someday.</b><br><b>Blk and Bob, I am always 'fishing' for compliments.</b><br><b><FONT color=#ff00ff>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[romani10]

Love your paintings...glad of your progress.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>Still plugging away on Little Sanitee, a bit cold but many things can still be done. I am getting hit with resistance about what I want to do. I guess its alright, it means people still love me <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">&nbsp;and worry about me. They are shocked I am moving into my little cottage with no plumbing and renting out my real house. One person even said, "Aren't you getting a little old to have another mid life crises?"&nbsp; That one is funny.</b><br><b>I updated my blog, off tract a bit though.</b> <A href="http://littlesanitee.blogspot.com/" target=_blank><b>http://littlesanitee.blogspot.com/</b></A><br><b><FONT color=#00ff00 size=4>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[Seraphim]

Reply: aren't you a little too young to go through life with your head stuck in the sand?

 

[She]

I don't know how I missed that too. I was waiting for an answer. Well better late than never.&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

RE: Lifting the trailer.<br>Just flip the axles, or if you really want some lift - the springs.<br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<FONT color=#0000ff>@4x4chevy RE: Lifting the trailer.<BR>Just flip the axles, or if you really want some lift - the springs.<BR></FONT><BR>Hmmm, don't have a clue what you mean. I will be talking to my cousin who can do these mysterious things. I imagine it may cost a bit. He is my cousin but still charges.<br><b><FONT color=#ff00ff>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[sl1966]

Flipping the axles is by far the easiest thing you can have done, and it's also the cheapest. If you have it done by a shop it can run you around $150-200. I'm hoping our cuz will cut you a break on the price on account of being family and all.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Basically a flip means mounting the axle under the spring instead of on top of it. Like so ...&nbsp;<a href="http://rvbasics.com/techtips/flipping-rv-trailer-axle.html" target="_blank">http://rvbasics.com/techtips/flipping-rv-trailer-axle.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>