Chrome Face Plates Coming Off

[roadmama]

Has anyone experienced the chrome face plate on the door handle or rear view exterior mirrors coming off? The chrome portion of the passenger side rear view mirror came off, and now the chrome portion of my driver's door is coming off? Is this a warranty item? If not, how can I fix it? I have a 2012 Airstream Interstate. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Boxster1971]

I don't think those chrome covers are a MB item. They may have been added by either Airstream or the dealer. Check with your dealer for warranty coverage.

[roadmama]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I don't think those chrome covers are a MB item. They may have been added by either Airstream or the dealer. Check with your dealer for warranty coverage.

You are right. I had taken my AI to Mercedes for 20k checkup and they told me that AI puts it on.

[73shark]

Originally Posted by roadmama

You are right. I had taken my AI to Mercedes for 20k checkup and they told me that AI puts it on.

Should be covered under warranty then. It doesn't surprise me as most of the side plastic trim is coming loose on the leading and trailing ends on mine. Poor prep.

[gmillerok1]

That's the second thing that failed on my 2011 Interstate. I had to remove, and then re-apply 3M trim tape to three of these panels. Apparently, Airstream installers either can't read the instructions, or don't care, and don't properly prep the surface at all. It was a very hard job to fix. It is however, covered under warranty.

Gerald

Originally Posted by roadmama

Has anyone experienced the chrome face plate on the door handle or rear view exterior mirrors coming off? The chrome portion of the passenger side rear view mirror came off, and now the chrome portion of my driver's door is coming off? Is this a warranty item? If not, how can I fix it? I have a 2012 Airstream Interstate. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by roadmama

Has anyone experienced the chrome face plate on the door handle or rear view exterior mirrors coming off? The chrome portion of the passenger side rear view mirror came off, and now the chrome portion of my driver's door is coming off? Is this a warranty item? If not, how can I fix it? I have a 2012 Airstream Interstate. Thanks for your thoughts.

My 2012 Interstate doesn't have any chrome on the door handles or exterior mirrors. All black ABS plastic. I wonder, is it something they changed in the middle of a model year?

[joemikeb]

No chrome covers on my 2013 either. Maybe the reason they are missing from the later models is because AI decided they weren't worth the cost and effort to put them on to stay.

[73shark]

I don't think Airstream ever put the chrome covers on. At least they never showed them on the models in the brochure pictures. I just put them on mine.

My experience with 3M body tape says that if you don't properly prep the surface, then you can expect it to fail. My dealer, who is no longer a dealer, fixed my side trim by using some black stickum that held for about a week. Guess I'll have to do it myself next spring.

[Boxster1971]

Mine has no extra chrome. I'd guess these are all dealer installed items.

[PSchw]

I purchase stainless steel covers for the mirrors to dress up my AI and yes the do not stick very well as the form is not perfect. I have to redo mine in spring.

[73shark]

When you redo the mirror covers, use some silicon remover such as DuPont's Prepsol and then use some alcohol to finally clean the mirror. Of course you will have to replace the 3m body tape on the covers.

[ROBERT CROSS]

......and want to use DS Tape. It'll stay stuck with 3m VHB.

Bob

[73shark]

That's the kind of tape that most of the aftermarket trim pieces I've used comes with.

[NewOldDad]

Unfortunately, I am just beginning to face problems with "chrome" falling off. The driver's side belt line on my 2014 interstate had one piece fall off, and after repairing it, I find another that is getting ready to. The "chrome" moldings do not fit well on top of the plastic moldings. While probably under warranty, the drive to the dealer is much more inconvenient than fixing myself. The curbside moldings all seem to be well affixed. Probably one operator "on" his game and one "off" on the assembly line.

[73shark]

Originally Posted by NewOldDad

Unfortunately, I am just beginning to face problems with "chrome" falling off. The driver's side belt line on my 2014 interstate had one piece fall off, and after repairing it, I find another that is getting ready to. The "chrome" moldings do not fit well on top of the plastic moldings. While probably under warranty, the drive to the dealer is much more inconvenient than fixing myself. The curbside moldings all seem to be well affixed. Probably one operator "on" his game and one "off" on the assembly line.

Saying that anyone that puts these coaches together is on their game is being very charitable.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by NewOldDad

The curbside moldings all seem to be well affixed. Probably one operator "on" his game and one "off" on the assembly line.

More likely, the driver's side has to deal with slipstreams from vehicles coming from the opposite direction, that the curb-side doesn't.

[73shark]

Both sides are coming loose on mine.

[roadmama]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. It sounds like we are all experiencing similar issues and quality concerns. You are a great group of fellow rvers and this forum is so helpful.

[bob323]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Both sides are coming loose on mine.

"Chrome" strips on both sides of vehicle peeling loose. Have had dealer repair TWICE. Today, while washing vehicle, noticed that short "chrome" strip beneath fuel filler cap is missing - probably lost last week on my Beartooth Highway day-trip! Nothing major, but I can't wait to have the dealer tell me that he has to order the strip from Airstream and it'll take months to get it! Kinda embarrassing to be driving a $170K rig with "chrome" strips falling off. This issue, plus recurring power shade issues, generator rattling issues, water heater leakage issues, etc kinda makes one wonder what ever happened with Airstream's quality control processes! My last Airstream for sure!