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Old 04-21-2015, 12:29 PM   #1
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1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Cape Coral , Florida
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Can this be polished?

After almost 9 years of ownership, we finally decided to do something about the exterior paint of our 6 metre Minuet - now 38 years old. Don't know yet just what the finished treatment will be, but decided that stripping the old paint off would be the first step. We decided to start with the area between the rub rail and the belt line, as we were thinking we might polish that area and paint the rest for a two tone effect. The paint is coming off quickly with SmartStrip, and the resulting haze is removed with denatured alcohol. However, we have run into what appears to be a lot of sanding swirls. The non-sanded areas polish up to a nice sheen with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish - but does nothing to the sanded areas.

Can these swirls be buffed out and polished? Or, are we destined for a full repaint?

Thank you...Geo...
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Old 04-22-2015, 07:16 AM   #2
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If the sanding goes all the way through the outer coating of aluminum, then you're looking at a paint job.

I would try sanding with 400, and then 600 grit sandpaper. Maybe even go up to 800 or 1200 grit. Wet sanding would be ideal I think. If you can get the swirl marks out by sanding with the progressively finer grits, then you might be able to buff it to a polish. Buy good sandpaper made for wet sanding, and a rubber body work sanding block. One that will conform to the curves of the trailer easily.

It'll be a lot of work, but worth it if you really want to polish the lower half.

Good luck!

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Old 04-22-2015, 07:52 AM   #3
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You will be WAY happier if you go the paint route. WAY HAPPIER.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:12 AM   #4
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Have you given any consideration to a vinyl wrap?
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Old 04-22-2015, 09:40 AM   #5
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There are some amazing options in paint. use 2 tone colors that blend well if you can, lighter up top. Just google argosy paint job or something similar. Love the candy apple red one. And if you get a vintage vehicle to match or coordinate, even better.

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Old 04-22-2015, 09:44 AM   #6
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yes it can be...just a lot more work than your standard airstream as you have to get past the swirl marks they put in for paint bondage. You will need to paint your end caps though as they are galvanized metal and will rust once exposed.

you would cut thought the first layers of swirls with a polisher like this...

7 in. 10 Amp Variable Speed Polisher

then finish with a beauty like this...

Cyclo Model 5-Pro Polisher

Some one else can chime in with what kind of polishing compounds to use that will cut appropriately.


And Please post pictures of the steps you used if you do go ahead and do it. I have an Argosy that I am thinking of doing the same thing to once my restoration of the '69 Safari is done :-)
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Old 04-22-2015, 09:51 AM   #7
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Oh and the Krylon fusion for plastics spray paint can be used for painting the plastic vents, hood scoops and lights etc...they have a great aluminum metallic that is a very close colour match or use you can use an etching primer and use any old aluminum coloured spray paint. While you are doing all this work replace your plumbing stack covers gaskets if needed, as they are supposed to be done every 5 years or so. Andy at Inland RV sells the new gaskets

Inland RV Center Inc.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:19 PM   #8
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1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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Thank you for all the responses...

We've been doing a lot of searching of the forums to find how others might have solved this problem of factory applied sanding swirls on the Argosy. Many ideas, but no clear-cut "this is what worked for me".

The sanding swirls appear to be very fine and difficult to feel with the finger pad, a fingernail would not catch . I'm reluctant to add to the sanding in an attempt to get rid of the sanding, but others have tried it with success. Chris, should only the sanded parts be sanded, or will it need to be done over the entire surface? And how do you know when "the sanding goes through the outer coating of aluminum"?

We never entertained the idea of polishing overall and painting the endcaps to match. In SW Florida, a white or off white top is a distinct advantage, but we did think a little "shine" would look so retro. "Groveland" posted a photo last September of his just finished project with below the beltline polished (except for the door, which was fully polished) and above the beltline being painted white - it looked terrific.

We've also thought of starting the white top at the bottom of the end caps and going all around the coach with that line - interrupted only by the door and side windows. Perhaps move the beltline trim up to that line to further accent it. But, we are having a hard time visualizing that option.

We should finish stripping the bottom tomorrow, weather permitting. We have two grades of Met-all on hand from a prior project, and I think we will try that first before we resort to the sanding.

I will definitely post pictures of progress...thanks again...Geo...
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:26 PM   #9
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This is Groveland's "project"...

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Old 05-15-2015, 05:31 PM   #10
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Making progress, but not finished...

Lots of wet sanding, starting with 220 grit, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000 - then compounding with F9. More compounding to be done and then on with the polishing. But first, an intermission - camping to Texas...Geo...
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Old 05-15-2015, 05:47 PM   #11
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I hope the photo's post this time...........
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Old 05-15-2015, 07:51 PM   #12
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Very nice
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Old 05-15-2015, 08:24 PM   #13
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Very nice job! I've seen another Argosy that had lower paint and the upper panels were stripped and polished (except for the end caps which were painted). Goes to show what a little elbow grease will do...enjoy your Argosy...

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Old 06-06-2015, 01:10 PM   #14
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One thing Airstream did to allow a lower cost on the Argosy was to use a cheaper grade of aluminum. Hence the need for paint. Scratch damaged panels from regular AS units also found their way into Argosy trailers. Polishing an Argosy will be an endless task as the softer metal will need constant attention.
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Old 07-15-2015, 07:35 AM   #15
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So far I'm polishing my 1977 28' used new coat chrome paint form advanced auto parts on end caps not finished yet this is one buffing ATTACH]243019[/ATTACH]Click image for larger version

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Old 07-16-2015, 08:50 AM   #16
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Looks real good - can't wait to see the finished product! Did you have any of the manufacturer applied sanding to deal with, and if so, how did you deal with it? Did you use a primer on the end caps, or is the chrome coat self priming?

Our project has come to a halt for now, it is just too hot and too humid - lots of rain and the sun is directly overhead providing few opportunities for shade. We'll resume when it starts to cool off and dry up...Geo...
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Old 07-22-2018, 10:37 AM   #17
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Three years later...

We continued to finish stripping the Minuet when we could - camping now and then - looking pretty raunchy at times. Very difficult to work on the trailer here in Cape Coral as you can only have it home for two days at most with 72 hours in between. The weather was never cooperative, and we had to work in full sun. Long story short, we finally decided to get serious about painting it.

Three years ago we had a paint quote of 10 grand at a nearby RV shop - with us stripping and sanding. That quote was what prompted us to pursue the polishing route. So we took a new look at local painting options and found Jack's Paint and Collision in Bonita Springs. They had recently acquired a new large state of the art paint booth and were advertising the painting of trailers and boats. So we hauled the Minuet to Jack's one afternoon for a talk and quote. We liked what we heard and saw - and they were excited about doing a vintage Airstream. The price seemed just right, not too high, not too low. We had already finished the stripping and we agreed to sand the aluminum with 180 grit - they were to do the final prep on the two end caps and below the beltline.

On July 10th we took it back to Jack's...this is how it looked...
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Old 07-22-2018, 10:51 AM   #18
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I’m confused, you took it Jack’s to get painted and now your thinking of polishing?
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Old 07-22-2018, 11:24 AM   #19
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1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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End cap prep

First day at Jack's...

Prior to taking it in, we put in a new Fantastic Fan - the old one had developed the standard cracks and was leaking. We followed some tips here on the forums and hopefully it will not leak again. The new one from VTS seemed heavier duty than the old one. It will be painted and the Imron Wimbledon White paint should help to protect the plastic.

We also installed a new ABS cover for the fridge vent which will also be painted...
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Old 07-22-2018, 11:34 AM   #20
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"I’m confused, you took it Jack’s to get painted and now your thinking of polishing? "

We're not polishing now - we're painting. The polishing part started three years ago after a 10 grand paint estimate, which we considered excessive. But for the past three years polishing turned out to be impractical for us - therefore a recent revisit of the paint route.

Sorry for the confusion...
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