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wachuko · 03-27-2021, 03:35 PM

This...

That black rubber on the step is now silver and black...

wachuko · 04-08-2021, 02:13 PM

This arrived today...

Wrong rubber pads...

Reflector is for passenger side instead of driver side...

I give up...

Ordered the set of reflectors (both to make sure they match in color and construction).

Will source the correct length and width tape for the step and cut it myself using the old ones as templates.

But hey! Got the AIRSTREAM letter set... wohoo!

toskeysam · 04-12-2021, 02:08 PM

Getting my AI out of storage and prepping for travel....as shown in earlier posts, I had all of my Airstream plastic parts repainted. When I look at that rear bumper, I DO NOT want to step on that beautiful paint job. I’ve seen several rubber bumper guards for other vans, but haven’t found one for the Sprinter...yet. I really don’t want to stick traction tape(black) on the bumper. Anyone seen a product like this out there?

wachuko · 04-13-2021, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toskeysam

Getting my AI out of storage and prepping for travel....as shown in earlier posts, I had all of my Airstream plastic parts repainted. When I look at that rear bumper, I DO NOT want to step on that beautiful paint job. I’ve seen several rubber bumper guards for other vans, but haven’t found one for the Sprinter...yet. I really don’t want to stick traction tape(black) on the bumper. Anyone seen a product like this out there?

Find a local shop that does the xpel install... clear film.

Brezzin · 04-13-2021, 08:17 AM

I've got a claim in withAirstream at Tampa RV. I think Matt (service guy at Airstream) is trying the best he can but after Wachuko's experience I'm wondering if I should just do what Toskeysam did and just have it painted by a bodyshop. It's a shame that it's come to this

**Rocinante** · 04-13-2021, 09:08 AM

We got two widely differing opinions / estimates on our AI, which is long out of warranty. One said, sure I'll paint the plastic panels, rear bumper and hood for $5K. The other said there's nothing really wrong with our paint, despite the fact that he could easily have just written up an estimate for what I was thinking should be done. He suggested a professional detailing first, to see how it looks when that's been done. I asked about ceramic coating, he allowed that while it's expensive, it's cheaper than a paint job and might be helpful as well.

So, we're all over the map right now, though we certainly prefer the cost of the second shop's estimate to the cost of the first.

I still feel like the paint has probably failed, but it's not something we absolutely have to do right now, so we'll probably try a professional detailing first with that magical ceramic coating and see how we feel about it in the fall.

Osteomeatl · 04-13-2021, 09:11 AM

My 2018 lounge is currently at that dealership having the plastic repainted. It’s been almost 3 weeks and hopefully will not extend into months. The quote I received from an independent body shop was $7826 , way above what I was willing to pay to have it done out of warranty .

wachuko · 04-13-2021, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

...we'll probably try a professional detailing first with that magical ceramic coating and see how we feel about it in the fall.

Sorry to tell you that no amount of detailing will fix this... save your money... Only option to fix it is to repaint the trim pieces.

**Rocinante** · 04-13-2021, 01:58 PM

Thanks for this tip. Given the two radically different recommendations we got (e.g. spend over $5K or spend maybe a couple hundred bucks), I'm undecided. Spouse very much liked the second opinion, and I must admit I'd love to avoid the big expense if we can. Perhaps we'll get a third opinion since two opinions clearly weren't enough. (sigh)

Heckler56 · 04-14-2021, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Thanks for this tip. Given the two radically different recommendations we got (e.g. spend over $5K or spend maybe a couple hundred bucks), I'm undecided. Spouse very much liked the second opinion, and I must admit I'd love to avoid the big expense if we can. Perhaps we'll get a third opinion since two opinions clearly weren't enough. (sigh)

Paint is such a unique thing. People with true skill in it are also in my opinion hard to find. Many out there are shops and I don’t mean to malign their skill, but I look for someone that is almost an artist, passionate and maybe a little eccentric. Someone that understands these different materials (steel, plastic, etc) that the paint is going on. Each material will have it’s limitations based on not only itself but where you live and how it is used and stored. The difference between model years people have this issues seems to support my thinking that environment plays a large part in the issue overall. Maybe there is someone out in your area that gets that.

OTRA15 · 04-14-2021, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wachuko

Sorry to tell you that no amount of detailing will fix this... save your money... Only option to fix it is to repaint the trim pieces.

FYI

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...am-195084.html

**Rocinante** · 04-14-2021, 12:28 PM

Yeah, no thanks, not buying some magic sauce over the Internet and then smearing it all over my van while hoping for the best. We'll probably try a pro detailing with ceramic coating just to see how it looks when it's truly clean and shiny, and then go from there.

wachuko · 04-15-2021, 06:27 AM

Reflector set that I ordered, arrived. Had to shave off all the tabs it had so that it would sit flush in the bumper. Used some double-face tape to secure it in place...

Also installed the missing chrome trim that was removed from the LP cover.

All that is left is to find the correct size rubber pad for the driver an passenger door step and start replacing the chrome side trim with the new ones...

wachuko · 04-15-2021, 07:06 AM

For now, decided to pull the rubber mats... will spray paint them back to black and install.

Will make templates before I do that. so that I can cut the new ones when I find the material.

wachuko · 04-15-2021, 07:37 AM

Well... let's try some elbow grease first before going the paint route...

wachuko · 04-17-2021, 08:12 PM

Ended up using spray paint... flat black... and covered the underside with 3M double face tape...

Removed all old tape from the step...

Tested first.. yeah, looks good.

Both glued in place... done!

wachuko · 04-20-2021, 10:29 AM

Getting ready to head out for a week to Turtle Beach Campground, FL... a favorite spot for us... very close to us (less than two hours drive) and right on the beach.

https://www.scgov.net/government/par...ach-campground

Last time we were there the kids stopped by to eat with us... looking forward for them to join us again this time as well...

wachuko · 04-23-2021, 08:10 AM

So excited to finally go out to the beach... it is just a week, but we have been looking forward to getting out for so long...

Turtle Beach Campground, here we go!!!! Well... tomorrow... hehehehe