Vintage Airstream Window Dressings (Pt. 1: Curtain Fabrication & Dry Fit)

Back in January, I was able to source and purchase fabrics for the upholstery & curtains for the Little Green Airstream: Finding someone who specializes in making curtains for vintage Airstreams meant that they would better understand the idiosyncrasies of these trailers’ interior construction, meaning less guesswork and a greater likelihood that they’d turn out right the first time. But conversely, my experience with custom work is that...

Continue reading

Removing a Vintage Airstream Belly Pan

Probably the most famous element of the Airstream’s construction is the riveted aluminum paneling, originally inspired by aircraft design. Airstream’s motto, “live riveted,”  equates these little fasteners with the trailer brand and the lifestyle of their owners. I’d learned through the Vintage Airstream Podcast and Airstream Life magazine that there are three different types of rivets that are typically used in Airstream construction, the most prominent of which...

Continue reading

Working with a Professional Airstream Restorer (Pt. 2 – Window Replacement)

One of the most important aspects of managing a renovation project is to regularly & tactfully communicate with all the people who are working with you. This not only helps to ensure that the work happens in a timely fashion, but it keeps all of the parties on the same page about the scope and costs as they (often) change over time, and it puts your project back...

Continue reading

Working with a Professional Airstream Restorer (Pt. 1 – Axle Replacement)

When you’re doing any type of renovation, it’s important to determine what you can and cannot do, and what you’re willing to spend extra time learning to do yourself. When you consider the labor rates that contractors charge, you need to factor in their experience and the quality of their work. But it’s also advisable to consider what your own time is worth and whether or not that...

Continue reading