[a/s] Re Rock Guards-you do

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I found the article from the Blue Beret on building your own rock guards.  See below.
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PHRED SIIZ:
J. Fred Ettline, WBCCI #27910

Tough. Inexpensive Stone Guards

Dear Fred,
	After the conclusion of this years ³Wild Rainbow² Caravan to west central British Columbia, which included combat with high speed logging trucks on gravel roads, I observed that all the Airstream trailers had sustained damage, including punctures, to the lower front surfaces of the trailer skin or damage to the polished stainless steel Airstream Stone Guards. I concluded that there had to be a better, more rugged, yet pleasing material that could stand this abuse. A solution is installation or substitution of hand made ABS (ductile plastic) stone guards. This is about a $50, eight hour project.
	Materials:
	A 4 foot x 4 foot x 1/8 inch thick sheet of black ABS sheet (textured on one side)
	Eight, 1/4-20, aluminum threaded inserts (Stanley or Nutserts)
	Eight, 1/4-20 x 3/4 inch, stainless steel, binder head screws
	Thirty two, 1/4 inch, stainless steel, large area, flat washers
	3 foot x 4 foot of heavy wrapping paper
	Tools:
	3/8 drill bit and drill motor
	Saber saw or keyhole saw with medium blade
	Medium file
	Scissors and masking tape
	Make a pattern of the finished shape of the new stone guards by taping paper to the one side of the lower front trailer surface and tracing the finished shape. Cut out the pattern and recheck it. You will see that the top and bottom edges are curves and the two vertical edges are not parallel. Transfer the pattern shape to the ABS sheet using masking tape to outline the edges on this black surface. Turn the pattern over to mark the shape of the other side (mirror image). Drill 3/8 inch holes 1 1/2 inches from each of the 4 corners. Saw cut the ABS, round the corners for a nice appearance, and file the cut edges smooth. Using the ABS stone guards themselves, fix the location of the threaded inserts. Drill 3/8 inch holes in the aluminum skin and install the threaded inserts. If you are concerned that the threads of the inserts might leak water, use a drop of Loktite Thread Seal on the 1/4 inch screws at final installation. Attach the ABS stone guard to the trailer skin with the!
 binder head screws using one washer on the outside surface and three washers on the inside surface (so as to space the stone guards away from the trailer skin). The finished appearance very nicely matches the shaded window Wrap Protectors of newer Airstreams. I will furnish a picture upon request.

Sincerely,
Jim Dempsey, #6304
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Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
rlashway@zianet.com