Wildernest Restoration

[rtwBound]

Recently Picked up a Wildernest, needs some TLC so I thought I'd document the restoration on here, hopefully someone will find this useful down the road.

Things that I plan on doing/in the process of ordering:
National hardwear matching hinges (from previous wildernest thread)**NOTE these hinges did not matchup with my old hinges/holes.
New Latches (ordered: https://rvpartstogo.ca/products/jr-...12790&pr_ref_pid=5991526236310&pr_seq=uniform)
New Bulb Seal (ordered: 144254735216)
Sand down and de-rust hinges/screws
Clean canvas of mold and stains
Waterproof and seam seal Canvas
Get rid of rust from interior aluminum poles
Clean exterior fibreglass

As it currently sits:

 

[azzhatdeluxe]

she's a dirty girl! new tent!?I loved mine.. a very cool idea.

 

[rtwBound]

she's a dirty girl! new tent!?I loved mine.. a very cool idea.

New Canvas is not in the cards for me right now, too expensive and lead time is too long. Gonna clean this and re water proof it and hopefully breathe some new life into it.

 

[azzhatdeluxe]

I used an old canvas tent I got on Ebay.

 

[rtwBound]

I used an old canvas tent I got on Ebay.

Was it made for the Wildernest or did you have to make adusments?

 

[azzhatdeluxe]

I was just a random A-frame tent made in the 70's. I just took some measurements and eyeballed it. adjustments were made I found it to be a great low buck option. there are a few of these tents on ebay only used once..

Was it made for the Wildernest or did you have to make adusments?

 

[Kevin108]

Rust from aluminum poles?

 

[rtwBound]

Rust from aluminum poles?

 

[rtwBound]

Bulb seal and latches came in the mail. Just waiting on the 4 hinges to come and then I'll do all 3 at once.

 

[rtwBound]

National Hardware stainless OEM hinges came in today (these things were bloody expensive!). Starting the restoration this weekend

 

[rtwBound]

Finally put some work in on the camper this weekend replacing the bulb seal and all the hardware.

Here's some before after and during pics.

 

[rtwBound]

 

[rtwBound]

When I removed the bulb seal and opened the camper, this happened... Not sure why, hinges were still on...

 

[rtwBound]

Bulb seal was a hige PITA. Inside of the seal is metal and you have to put cut outs around the hinges. Also had to use a rubber mallet to seat the bead of the seal as I couldn't get the seal on.

 

[rtwBound]

Old hinges were a ********** to remove. Was a two person job as one person needed to be inside the camper holding the lock nut, while the other person removes the screws. Many of the screws were seized and we also had to do it by hand with an Allen wrench.