A Running List of Things I Bought to Renovate the Airstream

If you click on any of the affiliate/advertiser links on this page and make a purchase on that website, I earn the tiniest commission paid by the retailer at no cost to you. This helps fund my future travels and allows me to continue to share my journey with you. The products are all ones I have used and did not immediately hate/return, so they were good quality and worked well for the purpose.

Demo

Tools I Borrowed

My family has an extensive multi-generational collection of random tools. So I was very lucky in not needing to buy any of the below. However, these are tools I used frequently and think were the most useful in the demo phase. They are listed in order of importance. Like the things down on the end are probably not that helpful or needed but it was nice that I had them! Also, since I already had them I went with the same brand as what we have. Do some research on the product and make sure they are still quality before purchasing.

Demo was mostly tools (see tools I borrowed) but there were some items I purchased.

Drill bits, removing all of the interior and eventually the exterior rivets was a lot! I went through dozens of drill bits. Because drilling out the aluminum they seem to get dull quickly. That and I'm not easy

on them and I broke a few in the process. The dewalt seemed to hold up to me the best. I bought a set and then multiple two packs of the 1/8 and 5/32 bits.

https://amzn.to/3XqhFDJ

Rivet Removal Tool: This was key when it came to removing the buck rivets.

https://amzn.to/47qGrbn

Angle Grinder Discs, I went through a lot of these on the demo of the trailer frame. I used a variety of attachments from grinding off rust to cutting off the outriggers. I typically went to my local box store to pick these up but here are some examples.

Cut Off Wheel: https://amzn.to/3zj4NqY

Wire Brush Cup: https://amzn.to/4emt4LQ

Shell off to Shell Back on

All the rivets were removed and I lifted the shell and these are the things I used during that part of the renovation. See the blog for more details on why I used some of these items.

POR15: https://amzn.to/3MKuAeY and Prep: https://amzn.to/3ZoxiOP

Rivet Gun: https://amzn.to/4eicTik

Clecos: https://amzn.to/3XtPoMy

Rivets: Vintage Trailer Supply

Outriggers: Directly from Airstream

TEK Screws

Seal-Once Marine: https://amzn.to/3MJrkAo (Used 1.5 Gallons)

JB Weld Steel: https://amzn.to/3zfahTL

AL Welding Rod: Harbor Freight

Mini Air Die Grinder: https://amzn.to/4d4tPYU

WaterWeld Putty: https://amzn.to/3XxJpXk

Plastic Welder: https://amzn.to/4gAvWGS

Trailer Jack: https://amzn.to/3zutpwZ

black blue and yellow textile

Upgrades/Repairs

Upgrading the 1975 Utilities and Fixing Broken Things

Power Inlet: 50amp https://amzn.to/3BcSWLA

Water Inlet: https://amzn.to/47t4437

Water Heater: https://amzn.to/3ZyBqeS

TV/Internet Connector: Check out West Marine

Clearance Marker Lights: https://amzn.to/3z6yN9G

Backup Camera: https://amzn.to/4gqADTj

Cement ABS: https://amzn.to/4dc0efT

Weatherstrip Gasket Adhesive: https://amzn.to/47vBDl5

CRL 33S Aluminum Silicon Sealant: https://amzn.to/4d4Ohc3

Metal Hole Saw: https://amzn.to/3B14zFn

Butyl Tape: https://amzn.to/47p3p2A

Dicor Lap Sealant: https://amzn.to/3XHgroS

SikaFlex 221: https://amzn.to/3zuXXyC

Wire:

12/3 https://amzn.to/3XoFwUu

14/3 https://amzn.to/47n9MDP

14/2 https://amzn.to/3ZoB9uX

12/2 https://amzn.to/3ZHQpnd

8 Red https://amzn.to/3XqBATd

8 Black https://amzn.to/3TsLthW

Roof Upgrades

Henry's Tropicool Roof Coating: https://amzn.to/3B4JvxR

MaxxAir Fan: https://amzn.to/4d67BFC (not that expensive when I bought it!)

Solar Panels: https://amzn.to/4dZ3Fb6 and https://amzn.to/3MIamm3

Solar Panel Y Connector: https://amzn.to/3MI41a6

Solar Crimp Tool: https://amzn.to/3B5AvZt

Coleman AirConditioner Grill (Inside parts): https://amzn.to/3z8JSad

Coleman Soft Start: https://amzn.to/4gs0z0U

RV Shower: https://amzn.to/3Tq74rl

POLISHING

Citristrip Stripping Gel - https://amzn.to/4gCwRGK

Yellow Milled Airway Buffing Wheel - https://amzn.to/3N0HxBy

Green Airway Buffing Wheel - https://amzn.to/3U6e5ht

Brown Polishing Compound - https://amzn.to/4ekfZTI

Green Polishing Compound - https://amzn.to/3BgnzQu

Airway Flange Kit - https://amzn.to/47HtGJV

Buffing Rake - https://amzn.to/3THYJiF

Mask - https://amzn.to/4eB4GGq

Angle Grinder Extension - https://amzn.to/3ZGVGv1

Zephyr Pro 40 - https://amzn.to/4dgrRVb

Zephyr Pro 50 - https://amzn.to/3N22uvP

Polishing Kit for Wheels - https://amzn.to/3MWCbXV

Microfiber Finishing Pad - https://amzn.to/4djEGOH