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.
Crow Bar: https://amzn.to/3MMhf5U
Wrecking Bar (A Big Crow Bar): https://amzn.to/3zm5CPV
Impact Driver: https://amzn.to/4emq95L
Angle Grinder: https://amzn.to/4ees8Jk
Hammer: https://amzn.to/4e0RPxn
Wrenchs: https://amzn.to/4eii3vv, https://amzn.to/3XGCcoZ and https://amzn.to/3ZoA7iz
Adjustable Wrench: https://amzn.to/4e2rP4G
Vise Grip: https://amzn.to/4d8MX81
Cordless Drill: https://amzn.to/4eigwpf
High Torque Impact Wrench: https://amzn.to/4dZhQgr
Heat Gun
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.
Rivet Removal Tool: This was key when it came to removing the buck rivets.
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
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:
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