Exterior Coating

[noiva]

I'm looking at an '89 370 as many of you know. Two years ago, the exterior was recompletely redone by AS in Jackson Center including paint and coating. I cannot find out what the coating is. It appears to be a satin clearcoat type of finish. Not clear like the trailers. Not nearly as reflective. The roof is doing some minor peeling, and I'd like to coat that before it spreads, to at least slow down the process. Does anyone know what the coating is, and where I can get some? AS says to call the dealers. I've done that, and they say they don't know what AS used, so they can't help me either. I was hoping maybe someone else knows, and perhaps it's something I could get from an automobile type paint supplier. Any help will be appreciated.

Noiva

[Joe Z]

I just bought some directly from an Airstream dealer. I'm surprised they're telling you they can't get it. Airstream packages it and sells it in a spray can for touch up. I'd call them back and educate them. They can order it directly from Airstream. Joe

[JohnG]

I don't know what the clear coat, or plasticoat is either. Seems to be a big mystery! However I am certain that it is something that is applied by spraying in on since it seems to peel like paint does. Aluminum is a hard thing to have hold onto paint effectively and therefore you end up with peeling.

I would say that it has to have some type of epoxy properties in it since it holds on as well as it does.

I have the same type of peeling happening on my fiberglass bass boat now and at the end of the season I will have it clearcoated. The person that does this work for me has informed me that the coat on the AS is very similar to the clearcoat he applies to the bass rig.

Since my AS is peeling and I have some oxidation on it from loss of the coat I will be doing a full polish as soon as I get around to it. I have other repairs that will come first. However, I will probably come up with a clear coat that will work on it way before I do the polish job and if I find out what AS uses I will post accordingly.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by Barkingspider

I just bought some directly from an Airstream dealer. I'm surprised they're telling you they can't get it. Airstream packages it and sells it in a spray can for touch up. I'd call them back and educate them. They can order it directly from Airstream. Joe

Joe,
Is it packaged under their name or is it made by someone else? If it is an AS product can you post its contents or any info about it?

[Joe Z]

Here's what the can looks like. It is not made by Airstream - only packaged under their name. Joe

[JohnG]

Thanks Joe,

Clear Acrylic is what is used to clear coat a fiberglass boat too. I had thought that it might have some type of epoxy in it also to help it bond to aluminum better. Something like the appliance paints have in them.

I do know that some acrylics bond better than others. Guess there would be a little more research involved to find out which one would be best to use for a new clear coat on my AS after it is polished.

[noiva]

Thanks to all of you. The pictures were, once again, "worth a thousand words". I found a can of that in the trunk of the coach, but had no idea that's what they recommend for touch up. I'll be attempting to do just that as soon as I can.

Thanks so much.

Noiva

Originally Posted by Barkingspider

Here's what the can looks like. It is not made by Airstream - only packaged under their name. Joe