Our Journey Begins - 2018 AI TB Lounge

[toskeysam]

Here are my “after shots. Only glitch is we went ahead and painted the Airstream lettering....actually I kinda like it this way. I’m going to order new letters and keep them in a bag.

[Rocinante]

Looks fantastic! I actually prefer the painted-over letters. A bit more stealth is fine by me. The only thing I might have done differently is to have all stickers removed before painting (e.g. RVIA sticker, THOR sticker, and so on), and then leave them off. Just being clear, that's not a criticism of your choice, as your van looks fantastic, just a maybe on my part.

At some point we should really get this done. We also have plenty of rock-induced nicks on the hood, would be nice to get them painted over as well, followed by some kind of protective coating. Maybe that ceramic stuff? Maybe a "clear nose bra?" Not sure what, but something. Also, would love something that is known to successfully misdirect bounced rocks so they are less likely to impact the windshield, but that's probably just a pipe dream lubricated with snake oil.

Maybe we'll get the whole thing done over in "glacier white" or something like that, as we kinda prefer white to the silver. Maybe a white with metal flakes or something, for extra depth and shine? Who knows, we'll see.

[wachuko]

That came out great! Thank you for the update with the photos.

I am still waiting for the quote to arrive so I can forward to Airstream... let me give the shop a call...

[Teamaron]

Originally Posted by toskeysam

Here are my “after shots. Only glitch is we went ahead and painted the Airstream lettering....actually I kinda like it this way. I’m going to order new letters and keep them in a bag.Attachment 383163Attachment 383164Attachment 383165Attachment 383166

What year is your AI?
And Airstream covered repaint under warranty?

[toskeysam]

Originally Posted by Teamaron

What year is your AI?
And Airstream covered repaint under warranty?

My AI is a 2013 Lounge EXT. Not warranty work at that age.

[Mansderm161]

Looks great. I'm still waiting to hear from Airstream on scheduling mine. It will be done in Jackson center. I just had speakers replaced at Mercedes. I had to pay Mercedes, send copy of invoice, and Airstream is going to reimburse by sending a check.

[Mansderm161]

Did they have to take all those pieces off to repaint?

[toskeysam]

Originally Posted by Mansderm161

Did they have to take all those pieces off to repaint?

Nothing was removed. A lot of the labor was most likely the blocking and masking effort (80% of the bill was labor). If this was a resto-mod it may have made sense to remove components, but not for this. I spent the day going over the work after I got home. I am very pleased with the results. As noted in earlier post, they did paint the “Airstream” lettering, but I like that “mistake” better than the chrome lettering. The replacement chrome lettering is on its way to me, but I doubt I will ever use it now.

[Titus]

Did they do the chrome too, or just the plastic below the chrome? My plasti-chrome is in good shape (at least compared to the silver color plastic), but your chrome looks extra shiny compared to mine.

Do you know what they used to prep and repaint? Or can you provide the name of the shop that did the work (PM me if you'd like), as I would like to specify the same treatment when mine is re-done. I was resigned to living with it, but your results has changed my mind.

I too would have them either paint the AIRSTREAM or remove it entirely.

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by toskeysam

Here are my “after shots. Only glitch is we went ahead and painted the Airstream lettering....actually I kinda like it this way. I’m going to order new letters and keep them in a bag.Attachment 383163Attachment 383164Attachment 383165Attachment 383166

Looks Great!

Also prefer the silver over chrome letters look!


Finally, for those thinking of painting the entire van... your van resale value is likely higher if you did a quality vehicle wrap, rather than changed the van color from the color listed on the ownership title.

YMMV - but it would be my preference.

[Rocinante]

Fascinating, never thought about whether changing the color would affect resale. Seems odd, but if it matters I don't hate silver enough to take that hit.

Originally Posted by ScottP

Looks Great!

Also prefer the silver over chrome letters look!


Finally, for those thinking of painting the entire van... your van resale value is likely higher if you did a quality vehicle wrap, rather than changed the van color from the color listed on the ownership title.

YMMV - but it would be my preference.

[Rig Rat]

Originally Posted by toskeysam

Got my estimate from the body shop. Ouch! It’s all relative when I consider what has already been invested in the van. Now it’s a matter of time until it goes in for the work.

************************************************** **********
I got quotes to fix the bubbling around my water heater cover and battery vent as well as repainting the 6 spidery plastic panels on each side of the AI just below the chrome trim. I was quoted $1200 to do just the panels.

I didn't think that was unreasonable but will hold off doing those for now to see how well they repair the early rust thru spots.

[Titus]

I will have to look close when I get Titus out of winter storage, but don't recall rust on my 2013 in the places you have on your 2015. Wonder why you have the problem on one that is 2 years newer.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Rig Rat

************************************************** **********
I got quotes to fix the bubbling around my water heater cover and battery vent as well as repainting the 6 spidery plastic panels on each side of the AI just below the chrome trim. I was quoted $1200 to do just the panels.

I didn't think that was unreasonable but will hold off doing those for now to see how well they repair the early rust thru spots.

I have that same bubbling paint around the battery vent. Also had bad rust around the roof top vent fan opening, which I fixed after it started leaking. Airstream apparently never treated the edges of all those opening they cut in our vans - another sign of the poor quality of their builds.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Rig Rat

************************************************** **********
I got quotes to fix the bubbling around my water heater cover and battery vent as well as repainting the 6 spidery plastic panels on each side of the AI just below the chrome trim. I was quoted $1200 to do just the panels.

I didn't think that was unreasonable but will hold off doing those for now to see how well they repair the early rust thru spots.

Gee, only $1,200 to repaint all those plastic panels sounds pretty reasonable. I was expecting it to cost more. May have to get a quote at some point, though I would probably want to add in the rear bumper area, the lower front bumper areas, and the hood (due to rock chips in the hood).

[wachuko]

Got a call from the local dealer that they will take care of it... so rather than being the middleman between the shop and Airstream, I will let the dealer handle it.

Dropping it off first thing tomorrow morning!

[Osteomeatl]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Got a call from the local dealer that they will take care of it... so rather than being the middleman between the shop and Airstream, I will let the dealer handle it.

Dropping it off first thing tomorrow morning!

Just got a response back from airstream asking me to get an estimate. I also purchased from Tampa Airstream and had them look at the defective panels originally. They suggested I contact Airstream directly and I did. Are you saying that they are going to take care of painting your panels there?

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Osteomeatl

Just got a response back from airstream asking me to get an estimate. I also purchased from Tampa Airstream and had them look at the defective panels originally. They suggested I contact Airstream directly and I did. Are you saying that they are going to take care of painting your panels there?

Correct. They have a person that they use for this. So less hassle for me to deal with. If you got the okay from Airstream, go ahead and call Kris at RVone. I just got back from dropping it off.

[Rocinante]

I should call them as well, what the heck. I realize it's a 2016 and they won't likely do anything for us, but I guess it never hurts to ask.
(FWIW: I went to their customer support page and filed a warranty inquiry via the online form. If that produces no response after a week or so, I'll try calling them.)

[wachuko]

Got confirmation last Friday that the paint is done and they are just waiting on the AIRSTREAM letters to arrive...

Almost there...