Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 07:44:28 -0700
Reply-To: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Protecting a sticker?
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When Mrs Squirrel and I were driving through the local national forest
about 16 days ago, we came across a stretch of road that was being
re-topped. Giant trucks and dust and flagfolk everywhere. Pilot cars,
grading equipment, hulking machines bristling with hydraulic hoses and
cast-iron ligaments bouncing about on huge tires, massive tank trucks. A
roaring, gnashing, grinding sound filled the air. You know what I mean.
Once they let us cross, we drove for several miles on a wet road surface
that appeared to consist of a well-emulsified blend of ground volcanic
cinder ranging in size from powder to grit to Grape Nuts-sized chunks. At
the end of the drive, the lower sides of the van were covered with a thin
but opaque chocolate-milk colored layer of the stuff.
We stopped by a car wash and Mrs Squirrel cleaned the sides and rear of
the van, but neglected to do the propane bits. I have a suspicion that
when the propane jockey filled the tank last Friday some of that grit got
into the threads of manual tank bleed (or liquid level port -- thanks,
Dennis) so that when he closed it, it would not seal completely, which
might be the cause of this tiny whiffy propane leak I want to fix. Given
that I found the bleeder screw so loose (sloppy work, propane jockey!)
that it as making an audible hissing sound not 15 minutes later, one can
see that there was ample opportunity for the threads to have gotten dirty.
So on Tuesday, in preparation for our upcoming "find that stupid propane
leak" derby this weekend, my son cleaned the propane bits under the car
with a pressure wand at a local DIY car wash. Give us a fighting chance
for leak-detecting bubble-making fluid to bubble rather than just sink
into the mud.
When wanded, the protective clear laminated layer on the white and red
3'' x 3'' WARNING sticker (found on the upper face of the sheet metal rock
guard under the tank) came off, exposing the (now bright and clean)
sticker to the elements. Looks quite nice! But it won't last long without
the top layer of clear film.
So, as is my style, a long tale leads up to a question: Can anyone suggest
something that will protect that sticker? Otherwise I'm not going to worry
about it. But it would be nice to preserve it.
I don't think clear packing tape will stick well.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
Bend, OR
KG6RCR
