Hate The Gaudy Gold-Flecked Mirrors?
Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 11:27 pm
So do I! Several years ago, I fabricated replacements for my Gaudy Gold-Flecked Mirrors. I parted with my 1984 30P and donated the replacements to my daughter for her 1982 34V (they sit on top of her mirrors--we didn't remove hers) Since then, my son bought a 1984 30P that needed floor work. He had to remove the entire rear bath, which included removing the mirror on the streetside to get at some screws. I recreated the mirror covers/replacements for his trailers. These are really nice, since they not only cover the tacky mirrors, but they also have a reading light that can be reached while lying in bed, as well as a shelf for cellphones, etc. I took pictures of the steps of making these. They were time-consuming (I've had several people interested in purchasing them, but the time it took to make them makes them expensive. Time is money) So here goes the tutorial:
l. Purchase aluminum. I got mine at an RV surplus store in White Pigeon, MI. I purchased the Union Jack panel that goes over the straight aluminum from Menard's. You can choose any color for the back if you have access to painted aluminum.
2. Make a pattern for the curve of the wall. I used a piece of cardboard. Fit it & fit it again. My last trailer had a slight difference in size on the two sides. My son's didn't. They were the same. I made my pattern to fit slightly under the pieces of trim (about 1/2" under on top & bottom)
3. Purchase 1 1/2" wide pieces of aluminum for the top & bottom. Fit them so they leave the 1/2" extra on top & bottom that fits under the trim. After you have dry fitted them, rivet them to the top & bottom. Buck rivets are best, since they sit fairly flat against the wall.
4. Install the reading light now. I used bolts to secure them to the panels Make sure you leave enough wire to come through the back. I added wire to the existing wire so it could come up through the cabinet & tie in with the light that exists under the cabinet. If the bolts are long, cut them off so they as flush with the back as possible.
5. Make the shelf. There are many kinds of shelves that can be made. I have made variations of this shelf for different places. My bathroom in my 32S has hooks under it. But I like the fact that you can leave stuff on this shelf & it will stay put while you travel. I am not going to go through explanations, but will just post pics.
6. Mount the shelf with rivets. Again, bucked rivets are best, since they sit flat against the back.
7. Put the panel on the wall with double faced tape. Run the wire for the light up through the bottom of the storage locker & tie it in with the light. Put the trim over the top & bottom of the panel as an extra secure measure.
Enjoy!!!!
l. Purchase aluminum. I got mine at an RV surplus store in White Pigeon, MI. I purchased the Union Jack panel that goes over the straight aluminum from Menard's. You can choose any color for the back if you have access to painted aluminum.
2. Make a pattern for the curve of the wall. I used a piece of cardboard. Fit it & fit it again. My last trailer had a slight difference in size on the two sides. My son's didn't. They were the same. I made my pattern to fit slightly under the pieces of trim (about 1/2" under on top & bottom)
3. Purchase 1 1/2" wide pieces of aluminum for the top & bottom. Fit them so they leave the 1/2" extra on top & bottom that fits under the trim. After you have dry fitted them, rivet them to the top & bottom. Buck rivets are best, since they sit fairly flat against the wall.
4. Install the reading light now. I used bolts to secure them to the panels Make sure you leave enough wire to come through the back. I added wire to the existing wire so it could come up through the cabinet & tie in with the light that exists under the cabinet. If the bolts are long, cut them off so they as flush with the back as possible.
5. Make the shelf. There are many kinds of shelves that can be made. I have made variations of this shelf for different places. My bathroom in my 32S has hooks under it. But I like the fact that you can leave stuff on this shelf & it will stay put while you travel. I am not going to go through explanations, but will just post pics.
6. Mount the shelf with rivets. Again, bucked rivets are best, since they sit flat against the back.
7. Put the panel on the wall with double faced tape. Run the wire for the light up through the bottom of the storage locker & tie it in with the light. Put the trim over the top & bottom of the panel as an extra secure measure.
Enjoy!!!!