PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies: Airstream #2 continued

Hello!

It is warm and sunny here and the grass is growing like crazy. Mowing has once again become a regular part of my day, although my wife has grown attached to the zero turn mower, so I don’t have to do quite as much. Anyway, this post is the second in my “second” Airstream refinish. Demolition has continued and I have had to take the floor all the way down and build her again. The walls have mold and years of dingy buildup, so those will have to be cleaned and then painted.(I am hoping to recruit some grandchildren for that task-my 6′ 7″ frame makes painting the rounded walls awkward)The old benches and bathroom area have been pulled out as well. There is really not too much that I liked about the dated interior. I just bought it for that beautiful aluminum shell. Well, this was meant to be a short update today. There will be more to come about the camper. The clock is ticking. It needs to be ready no later than mid July, but preferably sooner. If I can keep up with mowing, gardening, oh and the busy pee season, I should be able to finish it up in time. Until I find more words . . . The PeeMan

PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies: 2nd Airstream Refurb

Greetings from the green North woods!

Sunny and warm today. This post will be short on words and long on pictures. Since this is the second time that I have completely redone the inside of a classic Airstream camper, I decided more photo documentation would be good this time around. As to why I would take on such an endeavor. – I mean, I got pee to sell and a farm to manage, right? Well, it is like this – in order for me to do those things well, I need to have a project. Usually, it is more than one project. I want to work with my hands, mull things over in the solitude, and most importantly – see progress! I like results! So many things that we do in our lives either don’t produce clear results or the results may come after we’ve passed on. I may not pay close attention to the little details or do it like a carpenter would, but you bet I will get ‘er done!

The beginning

before: inside view 1

before: inside view 2

before: inside view 4

Well, as you can see, she wasn’t too pretty when I started. I ripped out all of the beds/couches and the table area. I only really kept the kitchen unit. Even the overhead cabinets came out. The outside is really nice to look at but the dated, plastic interior had to go. As soon as it was warm enough to work in the unheated storage area where the camper is kept, I began ripping and tearing and basically gutting the metal beast. Progress has been swift and many more pictures will follow in the weeks to come. This is just to give you a taste and to begin from, well from the beginning. The first step to getting results!

Until I find more words(and pictures). . .The PeeMan

before: inside view 3

Hunting the Airstream – PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies

Greetings from the North Woods!

It is a balmy 57 degrees outside, and even though the weather hasn’t quite made up its mind, the leaves have decided that autumn in Maine is here. Currently, I am spending A LOT of time readying Winterberry Farm for the annual church harvest party. I have been painting the house, mowing, and moving any and all unsightly debris from view. Also, I have put the Scout, the boat, and the new Airstream inside the pee warehouse for the winter.

Yes, I was quite proud of myself for backing the metallic beast into place in the building, but unfortunately no one was around to witness my incredible maneuvering skills. But, the Airstream is in the building, and it didn’t get there by itself! Anyway, the Airstream just happens to be the topic of today’s post. As you may recall, I have completely renovated an Airstream in the not so distant past. Well, I thought that I was going to have more ready access to that particular camper when I was done with it than I actually did. So, this summer began the hunt for an Airstream of my very own.

I soon came to discover that many other baby boomers have also decided that the “silver bullet” campers are desirable, and availability is limited. I spent hours scouring Craigslist, perusing the latest Uncle Henry’s(Maine’s very own paper Craigslist), and ramming back roads in search of THE one that I could refurbish and make my very own. Needless to say, this search led to a few adventures. One example involved a trip in the pouring rain to a remote wooded lot where we were to meet a man who was selling the camper for a friend. Well, when my wife bailed out of the truck in the torrential rain and sought refuge in the sorely neglected camper to wait for the man to show up, the seemingly abandoned Airstream was actually occupied by the very inebriated “friend”! Being the gracious person that she is, my wife tried to make small talk as she backed slowly towards the door. No cash changed hands that day!

Long story short, eventually I was able to secure at an excellent price a camper that is actually bigger than the one I refurbished previously. So, when the snow starts flying and my outside activities are limited, I plan to spend a good deal of time lovingly turning this giant aluminum can once again into a thing of beauty as I daydream about warm summer breezes and reading by the campfire.

Until I find more words. . .The Peeman

PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies Too – Airstream Refurbish Continued

It has been a while since I have given an update on the refinishing of my metal beauty. Well, she will be making her camping debut this weekend, so I better let you see her. A few more finishing touches and we will be ready to hitch her up and venture up North – yes you can go farther north. Hopefully, all goes well and this will be one of many outings to come. Not much time to write today, now that the Airstream is ready, I have to do some work on my boat – another oldie but goodie. Until I find more words . . . The PeeMan

All shined up and ready to roll

back bed reupholstered

retro red oven

PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies – Airstream Refurbish Post #3

underbed cabinet doors before

It’s been a while since I have given you an update on the old metal beauty. I have been pecking away at things here and there in between honey-do projects and the Pee business. This project is kind of small but every little thing takes me a step closer to luxury camping in the Maine woods. At least, anything with real walls and a toilet is considered luxury in my neck of the woods.

underbed cabinet doors -damged veneer removed

underbed cabinet doors -damaged veneer removed

underbed cabinet doors -glue applied

underbed cabinet doors -trim strip added

underbed cabinet doors -trim strip finished

underbed cabinet doors – refinished and installed

Now if that ain’t a thing of beauty, I don’t know what is. Most satisfying afternoon out the spring sunshine. This project was completed before the rains started. If I sound biblical, it is intentional – it has rained every day for the last week and more is forecast. The Memorial Day weekend is gonna be cold and damp! Well, I chose to live here, so I shouldn’t complain. If you have sunshine, send some up our way.

The PeeMan

Don’t forget Predator Urine for RVs, boats, and cars!

PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies – Airstream Refurbish Post #2

Well, it has been a while since I have given you an update on the restoration of my metallic beauty. If you’ll recall from the previous post, she was in need of some serious interior TLC. That process is now in full swing, and although I may tend to jump and thrash my way through life, I am quite pleased with the way even the detailed work is coming along. I know, you are thinking “enough blathering – show me the pictures” – here ya go

Front sofa bed awaiting upholstery

Kitchen complete with new stainless backsplash

New tile floor

Reclaimed, refinished kitchen vent

I am quite impressed with myself. But, according to my family, that is not an uncommon occurrence. I am even more impressed with the weather that we have been enjoying lately. I have had several opportunities to don my cutoffs and work outside in the glorious sunshine. Nothing like a dry, sunny spring day in Maine. Having said that, I’m gonna get off this dang computer and go back outside. Have a good one!

PS When you are outside getting the garden in, don’t forget to get your bottle of 100% Original PredatorPee to protect all your hard work.

PeeMan’s Gotta Have Hobbies – Airstream Refurbish Post #1

Howdy!

In earlier posts, I alluded to my current non pee-related project – my metal beauty – vintage Airstream International Land Yacht – just typing it gives me the chills. Well, this project began in the fall of 2012, was briefly interrupted when I had a heart attack(look for future blog posts on my personally developed heart healthy, low sodium menu), and has been kicked into high gear in the last month or so. My goal is to refurbish her in a manner consistent with the vintage quality, but I am not a stickler, and I won’t be searching for months for some authentic Airstream toilet bowl handle. My family knows that minutiae is not my strong suit. I am a big man – 6ft. 7in., and I have big ideas and tackle big projects, but I never sweat the small stuff. Anyway, enough talk. Check out the before pictures:

Front bed obviously dismantled

Bed/couch 2 as yet untouched

Bath/shower complete with fishies – the wife will definitely want those GONE!

The door to adventure

The rear end

Well, that is what she looked like BEFORE. Stay tuned to see my first AFTER pictures. Extreme Makeover Airstream Edition – PeeMan style! Until then, have a good one.

Oh, and for all you RVers out there, did you know that squirrels, mice, rats, raccoons etc can easily do $1000’s of damage to wires and upholstery in any type of vehicle. Our PeeShots are perfect for this application. Check out our Car-Boat-RV Pack. Oops! I let a little business mix with pleasure, but I just couldn’t help myself. The PeeMan