Airstream work list - what we planned and what got done

We had a large list of trailer upgrades and repairs we wanted to complete before we started our trip and the good news is we were mostly successful in getting them done. Here's the list:

• Install front, lower curtain track
• Catalytic heater
• Paint galley walls
  
• Install new latch for couch drawer
• Trailer state inspection
• New 7 pin connector
• Gas connection for fire pit (our little "fake" fire)
• RV solar system
• Repair cracks in bathroom shower pan and paint
• Check and repack wheel bearings
• Repair or replace exterior flood light
• Polish and wax trailer
• Install new LCD TV (with built in DVD player)

Our plan to install a catalytic heater was shelved due to cost. It would have added an additional $500.00 to our upgrade budget which was already stretched thin by the purchase of the RV solar panels and charge controller. We also did not get to the gas connection for our little fire pit. We'll pick up the needed parts at an RV store and install them while we are on the road.

The biggest jobs we completed were the installation of the RV solar panels and charge controller and polishing / waxing the trailer. The solar panel installation was very time consuming and the missing parts caused us a few days delay in it's completion. I estimate it took Leon and Rick 20 hours to finish this task. The polishing and waxing of our trailer took 50+ hours. Without Rick's help with these tasks we would still not be done. Thank you so much Rick!

Ok, now for the completed but not happy with the results list. I painted the galley walls with "counter top" paint and the results are not as wonderful as I had hoped. I was not able to get a nice, smooth finish so the walls will need to be sanded and re-coating when we get home. Leon repaired the bathroom shower pan's cracks using a two part putty (this part came out great) and I painted it with POR 15 White Coat. The finish is terrible, filled with bubbles and sags. I'm very disappointed in it. And to top off this disappointment when I removed the blue painters tape I had positioned above the edge of the shower pan from the shower wall it pulled off most of the "counter top" paint underneath it. NOT a good thing, now the shower pan and the shower walls look like crap. We'll deal with it when we get back.