Help Me! I feel the need to polish my 345

[LATUBE]

I have wanted to polish my 345 Airstream since I got it, but I just saw a posted photo of a" polished 345 "on Classic Motorhomes Online and now I am determined to make it happen. I have heard mixed opinions about polishing newer airstreams but this photo proved it can be done......I would love to talk to anyone who knows about the photo I saw....especially whoever owns that coach. Also interested in talking to anyone who has actual experience with polishing an 84 or newer motorhome.....Thanks for your help! I have just about finished my interior and mechanicals....Now I am ready to start stripping and polishing.

[GlenCoombe]

ALANSD will be able to help you. If he doesn't chime in you can PM him. He's now an AS dragger instead of a MOHO owner as he traded down....
I'm going to paint the topside of my rig to look like it's polished.... Alsa Corp | The world's most unique paints and finishes
But whatever you do you'll enjoy the look I'm certain.

[LATUBE]

Thanks for the tips......The Mirrachrome finish looks very interesting.

[Melody Ranch]

Did Glenn say "Trade DOWN?"
We may have to have a discussion here. An intervention of sorts.

[ALANSD]

GO FOR IT!! Get the Napier Removall stripper, take off all the clearcoat, polish away.It will be as shiny as you want it. Moho AS have different aluminum panels though and they may not all shine equally. But it will still look awesome

[GlenCoombe]

Knew I'd get a reaction from somebody....

[ALANSD]

Mine had shiny clearcoat and a stripped bottom. Was pretty though

[LATUBE]

Thanks for all the input....think I will take some before and after pics to post. I am almost finished with the interior...Western motif....my wife and kids will be hitting the horse show circuit in March and the motorhome is home base for them while they are at the shows. Now all I need is an Airstream horse trailer to match the motorhome!...Easy on the "trade down" stuff....All Airstreams are awesome!

[str8strm]

LATUBE: Where was the picture of the polished 345? I would love to see it. We were going to have ours done professionally until we heard the price. I had also heard that the aluminum after around 1982 wouldn't get that mirror finish. Is that incorrect? Ron

[LATUBE]

Check out classicmotorhomesonline.com . In the gallery, you will find pictures of classic airstreams. The polished 345 is there. According to the information I have been able to find...the aluminum on the newer motorhomes can be polished to a mirror finish....it just takes more effort...and the clearcoat must be removed first. The picture of the polished 345 proves that a mirror finish can be obtained......I would love to be able to find the owner of that motorhome to find out what it took to achieve that finish. I had been quoted a price of $5000.00 to polish mine if I stripped it.

[str8strm]

Originally Posted by LATUBE

Check out classicmotorhomesonline.com . In the gallery, you will find pictures of classic airstreams. The polished 345 is there. According to the information I have been able to find...the aluminum on the newer motorhomes can be polished to a mirror finish....it just takes more effort...and the clearcoat must be removed first. The picture of the polished 345 proves that a mirror finish can be obtained......I would love to be able to find the owner of that motorhome to find out what it took to achieve that finish. I had been quoted a price of $5000.00 to polish mine if I stripped it.

I'd be willing to go 5. We were quoted 7, and then, when we brought it in and they looked closer, it went to 11. We figured that would cover a new 454 crate motor, and passed. It started to look real good unpolished.

[LI Pets]

$5,000----$7,000 wow I'm in the wrong biz, I'll do them for $2,000.

[GlenCoombe]

I'm going to prep an area on my coach for the Springstream Ralley and bring some Alsacorp "Killer Chrome" as a test. It may be an alternative to the constant upkeep of a polished finish. I'm not sure there is any less effort required when it's all added up.
Seems the prep work is what it's all about. The base is to be the glossiest black you can obtain. Then a light dusting of the metalic "chrome" content and then the dreaded clear coat finish.
I'll likely work the area on the nose below the windshield as this is a heavy wear area.

[ALANSD]

that Alsa stuff is sure appealing. I have been getting their catalogue for sometime now. It will be good to see it in actual use.

[Excella3287]

ALANSD has anyone of the forums used this product? Would love to see pics. This is the first time seeing this product and am very interested in using on resto. Since they are a local L.A. company plan trip on the week of the 19th. and will post results of visit.

[Chaplain Kent]

You definitely are going to run into different types of aluminum which will polish to different levels intensity. I would recommend the Nuvite products after you get the clear coat stripped.

[ALANSD]

I have recommended that stuff ( alsa) from seeing cars using it, but not anyone here that I know of. I also like the chemmetal products, and have used a german made aluminum wall covering inside my trailer. It looks good, but the sticky back had to be ammended with stronger glue.

[Phil Gobie]

There was a pic here www.thepolishingguru.com/ - 17k

[Kevbo10]

the polishing gig has been covered in great detail on theVAP - The Vintage Airstream Podcast - Home all you need is a computer w/ a sound card and speakers; pretty common these days. you can use iTunes to download the programs or goto the site and download individual shows. it's free, and it's 99% airstream related.

k.