Need Help - Airstream Name Badge

[STstudios]

Newbie here. I have an '86 345 Classic that I started to polish. Started at the rear and worked up to the front cab. My question is:

The "Airstream 345" name badge. Should I remove it to polish? Polish around it? Drill out rivets? Can they be re-riveted? Re-attached with screws?

Saw in another post (trailer) that you had to remove the inner panels for the rivets. Is this true with the MoHo as well. Suggestions were to leave it and polish around it with the trailers.

Also the seals around the windows (front cab, street & curb side) are pretty bad and I'm getting a little water coming through. Is that an easy DIY or a time consuming undertaking?

Thanks!

[Condoluminum]

The rivets are blind Pop or Olympic rivets, so you could carefully drill out remove and replace with new rivets... Be very aware.that holes behind nameplate are great sources of water leaks, so be sure to do thorough job of applying sealant in holes and under badge if you do remove..

[LimeyRich]

Be careful! Good luck finding a new 345 badge if you damage or lose one. Been looking since 2007 have not found any.
All the best. Cheers! Rich.

[STstudios]

Thanks Condo and Rich. If you've been looking for one since 2007 - yikes!!! I may just have to polish around it!

S

[Keyair]

Drill out the rivets and polish... Then put a blob of tempro behind each hole and screw it back on...
You may have to open the badge hole slightly to put a larger screw in that will hold...
If ya REALLY want to do it right...
Put a Rivnut in the hole and use a SS machine screw in.
That way, you can take the badge back off when you repolish.
I had an issue getting a shine on the cast badges, so went with a brushed finish..

[c_lewis77]

Look on vintage trailer supply, they have some small "mushroom" and "cone" shaped polishing tips that do a decent job here. I would try this first, then if it does not come out the way you like, remove the badges as described above.

[STstudios]

Thanks Keyair and Casey!

Been following your ENTIRE thread Keyair. Amazing and very informative!!! I always look through your thread for guidance as I am completely brand new (never had an RV, motorhome, rebuilt an engine or as mechanically inclined - just know the very basics!) Luckily - my MoHo is pretty mechanically sound and everything works (so far) - knock on wood. Just got her in October.

[Keyair]

Glad to have you onboard!
Never ceases to amaze me how many silent lurkers there are here!
Still consider myself a learner... so much good info here.

Your badges are different to the earlier ones like mine...
Did they polish up ok?

[STstudios]

Haven't polished the badges. They look like yours and doesn't seem like they will polish up - so I may keep that brushed aluminum look as you did. It will be a nice contrast to the shiny mirror look! ;-)

[MaryContrary]

he's right, they are super easy to remove and polish. you could also, if really careful, take a dremell with a soft soap stone bit to it. thats how i did my whole grille.
and some little pots of rustoleum in gloss black touch up the black areas.

here's a pick of the emblems i'm not putting back on
if anyone wants 'em, pm me

[ida B]

We took the time to name our 27fb. We got our name bade as well. It is beautiful, and engraved with "Simple Human," (an homage to the trash cans). I love it. I'll probably stick it on the counter on the inside.