DIY Network

Interior Tear-Out From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-201

In this final segment of the first episode the fun begins as the Classic Rides team, including host Kevin Tetz, tears out much of the interior to get started on the restoration! In order to make some room for work such as the flooring installation, much of the living room is dismantled, being careful to keep and label all arts and fasteners. Kevin also shows some tools that help with this process.

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Host Kevin Tetz is back in the shop and ready to begin the restoration on the project Airstream.

Materials:

Zip-lock bags
Penetrating oil
Ratchet with screwdriver bit
Cordless drill with multiple heads
Short and regular length screwdrivers
Adjustable wrenches
Caulk
Razor blade
1/8" rivet

	Figure A
	The cook-top area after it's been gutted.
	Figure B
	The gutted sink area with exposed pipe.

Interior Tear-Out

It's important to take photographs of the restoration of the Airstream as the process takes place in order to track down what you're trying to find.

Note: Also bag and label your parts (figure A) because of the multitude of fasteners on the Airstream. It's also a good idea to spray the fasteners with penetrating oil first since they have been on the Airstream for such a long time.

Safety Alert: Before starting the interior tear-out, shut off the main gas valves to the trailer, turn the AC power off at the fuse box and disconnect the battery.

• Start the tear-out in the kitchen by removing the cook-top cover and burner tray, and then disconnect the cook-top gas line -- and remove the bolts that hold the cook top to the counter.

• Next, disconnect the sink drains and the water-supply lines.

• Now the sink can be removed.

• The gas oven is next. Start by disconnecting the bolts that hold it to the wall, and then disconnect the gas line. Now you can remove the oven.

• Take off the countertop by first locating the fasteners and removing them. Always bag and label all parts. Score a caulking line (figure B), which helps to separate the countertop from the wall board. Finally the countertop is removed.

• Many trim pieces on the Airstreams are riveted together. In order to get rid of the rivets, you must remove the head and pull the piece off. Kevin used an 8" drill bit because the rivets are eight inches.

• Finish by gutting the inside of the Airstream, taking everything out that will be replaced.

RESOURCES :

Airstream, Inc.
419 West Pike St.
PO Box 629
Jackson Center, OH 45334-0629
Phone: 937-596-6111
Fax: 937-596-7939

Historical Photographs and Film
Vintage Airstream
Website: www.vintageairstream.com
and
Vintage Airstream Club
Technical Advisor and Founder: Bud Cooper
Website: www.airstream.net

Wally Byam Caravan Club (WBCCI)
Website: www.wbcci.org

Airstream Life Magazine
PO Box 74
Ferrisburg, VT 05456
Phone: 802-877-2900

GUESTS :

Xavier Taylor
RV Expert
Phone: 865-388-3298 (cell)