Alcoa Finish - Page 2

Raptorrider2001 · 02-24-2003, 01:20 PM

My '99 Safari was one of the earlier ones with plasticote. I am the second owner. The original owner said it was pealing when he began shopping so he made a deal to have it recoated when he purchased it. They did a terrible job on it. It is not a smooth finish at all. They did not do a good job of masking it off and has overspray in places. Because it is rough, it does not take a good polishing.

cljackson · 02-26-2003, 11:05 PM

Can it be re-refinished?

Raptorrider2001 · 02-27-2003, 02:37 PM

I'm sure it could with alot of elbow grease. It would have to be stripped and then another coat or plasticote I would guess. I think I have seen some post where it cost sevefral thousand to have it done. Not sure. I thinkif I ever got it stripped, I would like to polish it out like some of these guys are doing when they restore some of the older ones. They look fantastic all shined up.

**jcanavera** · 02-27-2003, 10:26 PM

Caution on the newer models! They do not polish out to the mirror finish like the older units. I'm not sure what year they changed the aluminum but do not strip your newer A/S with hopes to get it mirror like.

I'm sure there is someone on the forum who may know this.

Jack

cljackson · 02-28-2003, 09:09 AM

Been wondering about that, as I've seen pictures of some of the older models that looked like the shiny side of aluminum foil. Ours has more of a brushed aluminum-looking finish.

This is good to know. Wonder why they changed the finish?

ROBERT CROSS · 03-02-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cljackson

What's the difference between the Alcoa finish and the Airstream finish?

Thanks,
Carl & Cheryl
'99 Airstream Safari 25'

Filiform