1980 Sunspot Remodel

[MStevens-SUN]

Hi everyone. I am starting to get back on my Sunspot project. Kind of a long story, but my father in law bought it for my wife/ fiancé at the time as a college graduation gift. 24 years ago. We used it several times. Then once we got married we wanted a bigger camper so, again my father in law knew the value of the Sunspot so he bought us a bigger camper and kept the Sunspot with aspirations of redoing it. He conceded that he was never going to get to it so in 2018 he just gave it back to us cause my wife was still in love with it. I started working on it late 2018 and in 2019 we moved. So the project got put on a back burner. I am currently restoring an Allis Chalmers G tractor with my 16 year old son. Almost done with it. My wife says the next project will be the Sunspot. Which will probably end up starting this fall.

For the Sunspot, the only thing I think I am missing is the table for the dinette. It has the 2 burner gas stove top, sink with standard faucet option (not the hand pump), Dual power refrigerator. All cabinets, doors and hardware still original. When we first got the camper we did upgrade the upholstery and carpet as it was very soiled. What I want and need to do are:
-Repaint the exterior any help on colors or if there are any pantones available for it.
-I have a local guy that says he can replicate the decals and graphics
-Need to rebuild the rear right side corner as it has rot
-Really want to add an A/C unit to it. Not sure how I'm going to accomplish this. Want it streamlined and to look original. Or hidden if possible. Not sure If a small roof mount is even possible.
-Rock guard is intact but feels brittle. What are some ideas on replacing the fiberglass material? Or maybe taking the material out lightly sanding it and coating it with fiberglass resin to give it some strength back?

I'm sure I'll run into more issues as I start on it. But wanted to get my brain going on it and get some ideas going by the time I get going. Wow that was three "going's" in the same sentence. This seems to be a great group of people to share ideas.

Just uncovered the Sunspot today and gave it a wash. Will have to post pictures soon.

 

[JohnGB]

Welcome Mstevens!

Your Sunspot has quite a story behind it, which was very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

Regarding your restoration of the rock guard, I might have some suggestions, but pictures help us know if they would work. I have restored two rock guards to address the heavy yellowing of the fiberglass, but they are in the year 2000 and newer styles. You have another 20 years older than what I started with, and I'm sure they are built differently.

We can also help with the rot rebuild and how to seal it back up better than when it was new. Consider taking the camper apart from the outside in, not the inside out approach. When the siding is off, there is less damage to the original walls, cabinets, etc., and you create a more sound repair for rotted wall studs, etc. I can explain more as I wanted with pictures, etc.

Here is a post on saving the inside wallboard if yours has not yet deteriorated entirely through the wallboard. Many times, the wallboard can be saved. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/...s-using-resin-treatment-20029.html#post155103

We are looking forward to seeing your progress when it starts. Yes, we know these projects take a lot of time. Please consider a post on your restore with pictures. We can help you, and you can help others follow your project when they do theirs.

Good luck,

John

 

[Sunline Fan]

Ooh I'm excited for another Sunline restoration project!

Let me know if you still need colors, I had them matched for my '79 and yours should be the same. Especially if it's one of the '79 Sunspots that the factory re-titled as 1980 models