After getting my metal bulging problem fixed along the upper sidewalls - the worst of which was on the driver side - I had learned my lesson. Don't go lower until the top part is done. And do everything in an even balance.
So moving back around front I looked up. My next challenge was the small gap that remained between the roof structure and the metal around it. It wasn't a huge gap, but it was enough to conclude there was at least SOME roof-reshaping poltergeist presence still hanging around.
I forgot to get a picture of the driver side. It was just a little bit worse than the passenger side, but here's what that side looked like.
I was able to take some of the removed Reflectix and cut it into strips, sliding two of those back into the gap along the ribs to take up some of the flop. Even so, they were tight and I had to cut small ends off where they protruded out the front as I couldn't force them all the way back - which is good.
Evenly gathering the metal from the center out toward the side-marker lights, I hammered and stapled in chosen places about every 10 or 12 inches. I found bending over the high segment of siding pattern was preferred, coming back later to form the low segments of pattern.
That region came out like this before I thought to take a picture.
As I stood back and looked at my handiwork, my despair from the previous days dissipated like the clouds of a high-plains spring shower. My confidence level shot up and one of those moods came over me - you know what I mean? So I went down to the basement (of the house) and shuffled through that big box of music CDs and found Floyd's "The Wall".
Setting up shop on the passenger side, I set to work.
As school children lambasted their British authority, I deftly wielded my hammer, artfully forming and shaping that metal like a real Viking - finally being true to my Danish heritage!
Firing round after round from my trusty staple-gun (with a compass in the stock), and from atop my lofty perch on the ladder, I placed my staples with perfect aim - like John Wayne baptizing Wyoming cattle rustlers.
I had reloaded with 3/4" staples for this double-metal penetration, as those 1/2" rounds were too light for such duty.
As the last beats from the base drum of "Run Like Hell" faded into the sunset, I found myself crumpled and exhausted in an isolated corner of the garage.
And I gazed in wide wonder at the joy - from the ground.
Okay, now let's get some close ups.
This next photo shows several things to mention.
First, notice the excess depth of the staples on the left. This was typical when using the gun to press the work surface down too hard. Too light of pressure would result in not enough depth. The proper balance was a learned feel.
On the sidewall you see the brittle paint - indicating it is a harder oil-based automotive style. There are lots of examples of this in my pictures where the metal has been bent and re-shaped.
Note the new position of the rear-view mirror under-bunk mount hole, where it is now on the corner and more easily covered by molding.
And you can see the triangle shaped fold-over right at the point.
Some more of all of that, on this shot of the other side.
Notice on the next several photos, the fold-over tears (with the drilled stop holes).
I'm really pleased with how this point came out.
An example of the roof seam treatment.
Notice here (where the behind the truck cab curve is found), somehow I DID place the backer board differently than original and there was not enough metal to curve around the front for stapling. I'll have to treat it with molding, one way or another. At any rate, I'm glad I installed end-caps here or this would be flapping in the breeze.
The other side was the same, but at this time was undone. I finished my day with further passenger side work. Making sure I didn't cause a bunched/bulged metal condition at the camper rear, I pressed the metal down in proper decal-like installation fashion and drove the siding screws below that color band along the wall.
And stapled the bottom edge back to, but not including, the propane compartment region - which will get the attention it deserves another day.
