That epoxy repair worked so well, and I still have plenty from the original tubes, that I have been eyeing several other places I've been thinking might be problematic. That just gives the color band that much more time to cure before painting the main color. :)
And while the epoxy dries and cures, between coats and sandings, etc. there is always lots to do elsewhere on the camper. In fact I got onto one of those things yesterday, that I will show in a day or so, restoring one of the windows.
Mom is still here, but together, we all watched a TV program on PBS yesterday - Ken Burns "National Parks" - the one about the beginnings of Yosemite and Yellowstone? Mom watched from the couch in the front room, DW while working on a project in the Sewing room, and myself in the garage - you know, together! Mom goes home today, and the visit is very nice, don't get me wrong, but it drives us crazy just sitting around talking. Gotta be up and doing!
The day before, I also had to do something, so I brought stuff into the house.
Time for screens. I always start with the mid-sized ones first. I always have to re-learn the curve - the very large ones can be cumbersome, and the very small can be the most difficult. Here's the galley side window screen.
If you've never done screens, I'll give a few tips. We had to do every screen in the house for our Fairbanks home flip - what a gorgeous place (when we sold). When we bought, it had been decorated in "80's and 90's Neglected Maintenance". I've done screens before, but this was the largest and most recent job.
Get one of those spline tools. They are cheap. Get new spline (it comes in two sizes). Old spline can be hardened and hardened spline can make insertion difficult enough to really mess up the job and make it a lot harder than it has to be.
Don't try to leave the screen on the roll. Cut a piece off that will amply fit the opening. That way you can grab the edges and hold the way you need to, or rotate the whole piece 180 degrees without the roll attached. Throw away the trimmed excess. Screen is cheap. I like the fiberglass stuff. We pulled all the old original metal stuff out (it stinks when you get your nose against the window, can rust and shows dents and other marring).
Cut a piece of spline that is about, or slightly longer, than needed for the screen you are doing. It will stretch naturally as you roll it into the slot with the tool, so you'll end up throwing away a little.
After deciding where to butt-joint the spline (generally in the middle of a run, not at a corner, I like to start with the middle of the spline and roll it into the groove first one direction and then the other. Try to avoid using a screwdriver to push the spline down anywhere, like in a corner. If you bend the spline with your fingers on the other hand, the roller will do a fine job getting it into the corner. Using your other hand you can force the spline to have adequate amount in corners, so it doesn't eventually stretch and pop out.
Don't pull the screen to stretch it. Just pull it snug and hold it firm in place while rolling the spline into the groove. That insertion is what stretches the screen properly. If you mess up somewhere (too loose) gently pull the spline back out and try again. Especially on long runs, corners, or very small screens, there's a learning curve. Don't be afraid to throw away screen if you've tried several times and it's looking shabby.
Once the screen is tight and the spline is trimmed and fully placed, run a knife along the outer spline edge and trim the screen.
Again, don't use a screwdriver, even if you choose to take a picture of one. ;) (Okay, so I used it for VERY minor final spots in the corners.)
These frames don't get screens - they are for the camper to cab wall and the front V-nose wall.
All done, one roll.
