Re: [A/S] FLOOR

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jerry, it's been some time since your note, but perhaps you're still working on a solution.

It sounds like you may have settled on cutting a piece of wood to fit what you remove. There are
other choices. If you haven't already done so, my suggestion is that you at least consider other
methods or combinations of them. The amount of labor and time involved can vary dramatically. Also,
if you do the labor outdoors, that's one thing. If you do the labor in a garage or barn at your
leisure, that's a whole different ball game.

My strictly novice skills as repairer of my own sail boat damaged by rocks in water too shallow for
racing has led me to use products sold in marinas. There are several. Some are more expensive than
others and some have web sites for browsing. There are a few similarities between sail boats and
land yachts.

There is one product for rotted wood that has been used by me to reconstruct the floor in two
Airstreams. It is called "Git Rot." The main reason I selected it is because I like being able to
start and finish the job within the same day, I prefer to use simple tools, I like working at a
leisurely pace, I want the Airstream floor stronger than it was the day it came out of the factory
and I don't want the floor to ever rot again even if another leak occurs in the same location and
goes unnoticed for years. How's that for a "want list?" 

This option may or may not be anything you'd like to consider, but it can certainly give you a
different perspective. The website is http://www.boatlife.com/

1 - Find the search page and write in GIT ROT
2 - Click on one of the Git Rot items in red
3 - Click on "How to use Git Rot"
4 - Print out the directions.

In your area, search local marinas for which marina has the product in stock AND which marina has an
employee who actually has used GIT ROT and will talk to you about it. Pick his brain for subtleties
of technique (even though you have read and memorized the directions). Buy several small quantities
so you only open and mix up a little at one time. Once it's mixed, you MUST work quickly.  

In your area, search the yellow pages for a millwork shop, go in with an ordinary paper grocery bag
and ask for "clean sawdust from real wood," not particle board and the like. An average grocery bag
of it will be more than sufficient.

When all is said and done, gather up all the tools, reread the directions, watch the weather channel
and when your day comes, be ready for an uninterrupted several hours when you can do the deed. 

"Git Rot" does exactly as stated, plus it can be sanded smooth. The rotted area will become the
strongest part of the floor in the entire trailer and BEST OF ALL - it's simple to use and doesn't
require any more skill than possessed by an average pre-teenager.

You might discount using this product because of price, but not because of convenience, simplicity,
time involved and long term durability. 

Terry
mailto:Tylerbears@airstream.net