Interior Removal
Day 1
Last updated
11/22/2008
Off with the paneling to see what is left of the original Birch Paneling?
Too far gone not a problem as the original
"Trailer Insulation" will need to be removes as well.
The trailer insulation was the old style paper based, Manufacturers name was "KIMSUL
insulation for trailers"
The rug that was there had been soaked for
quite some time.
A previous Owner (PO) had laid 3/8" plywood over the original flooring.
Several square feet were rotted and I spotted a black ant. Where there is one in
this environment there are more, an entire farm actually.
Up came the front plywood, ants swept up and "dealt " with!
At the end of day one we had most of the
Observation Lounge removed.
As you can see "A" PO painted the walls with Lime Green.
We now know why the paneling was put there to cover it.
Day 2
After a good nights sleep and a long walk in
the woods to find a Geocache we were back at removal.
I now have a great supply of Sheet rock screws!
Just like what we discovered in the Observation Lounge, the paneling all has to go
All the Paneling has been removed. The 2 short walls will be removed to make a more open concept.
What ever the original floor is made out of, we
are extremely grateful.
It is 100% water proof, Absolutely no sub floor damage!
With help from the Spartan Forum, a member knew what the flooring was called. A
little investigating on the internet, I found:
CONSOLIDATED WATER POWER & PAPER CO.
'Consoweld.' It is a plastic made of sheets of paper, mixed with adhesive
material and run through a heating and rolling process. 1/4' Consoweld was cut
to fit the floor of Spartan Manor trailers. Spartan, following the direction of
Mr. Getty, the President, eliminated the insulating material and the wooden
cross pieces from beneath the floor, likewise the strip of covering which
previously had been fastened beneath the insulation. The Consoweld was laid
directly on the metal frame of the trailer. It is likewise undisputed that some
doubts concerning the suitability of this thin floor without insulation arose in
the minds of trailer retailers. These un-insulated
Consoweld floors were very cold in low temperatures. On November 25, 1946,
Spartan gave notice of cancellation of the undelivered portion of the last
order.
I found this interesting information in the actual court deposition:
http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/185/185.F2d.947.10202_1.html
More info:
By DEN AKKER The the ot
Day 3
The original paneling is so brittle and
delaminated we decided it was too far gone and too much damage to consider
restoring.
It must have been gorgeous when she rolled off the factory floor.
The walls were 1/4" birch paneling held in place by 1/2" screws with a contoured
washer for the head. Oddly, the ceiling panels were 1/8" and held in place in
the same fashion.
With respirator and my trusty orange work coveralls the process of insulation removal begins. I must caution anyone attempting who disturbs this or any type of loose insulation, DO NOT BREATH THE DUST! Just the slightest touch send clouds airborne.
There is a 2" hole in the road side where what looks like a light was originally. This made a nice entry for some type of vermin to make a nest, as you can see below it must have fancied feathers for bedding
It was interesting how the insulation was installed. I am not certain (yet) if the sealer that looks it tar helped hold it into place, however, there are wires strung through the frame that suspend the insulation.
After a couple hours and three construction garbage bag later, all the insulation that I can get to has been removed.
Had a few hours to kill today. Now Rosie is sitting in a new spot I decided to get the rest of the interior out. Have I mentioned I hate Flat head Screws, at least ones that have been there 62 years!
Sadly, there is very little wood work that is not water damaged. All the wood work is sitting in a pile, I will go through it and check if anything is salvageable. First look, nothing looks like it is. Found some of the original linoleum, looks like it was a deep red. About a 2' square piece, all cracked and peeling up.
Man does it look big in there!!!
Things that we found.
We always enjoy the mystery of restoring our vintage projects, looking into the
nooks and crannies to see things lodged there from time gone by.
One table spoon, 2 small ceramic candle holders complete with melted twisted
candles. 150 watt spot light bulb. 1/4 drive 10 MM socket. Original License
plate holder. Key to a Trojan Front end loader.
This is the first restoration we have done that we did not find a coin of some
kind....
