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Old 08-31-2016, 11:09 PM   #1
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1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Golden , Colorado
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Hail damage!!! :( 1989 345

Noooooooooooo!!!
AS has been in storage all summer while we were traveling in our 5th wheel. Major hail storm came through CO Springs about a month or so ago. We heard about it and worried but we were across the country and nothing we could do.

Today, we went to see it and assess the damage. It's not pretty. Will attach pics.

So.... any advice?

Can all the dents be fixed? Where?

Hubby is looking at an airstream parts website right now, not sure what all he will be able to find.

We sustained damage to vent covers on top of the bathroom and shower, the one over the kitchen, the spotlight, the airhorn, the front bumper.

Any help and resources would be greatly appreciated as we are totally new to the classic Airstream world.
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Old 08-31-2016, 11:45 PM   #2
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1973 31' Sovereign
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So sorry to see this! If it was me and I was covered by insurance I'd collect whatever cash I could from insurance company! Then just go camping and never worry about dents or scratches again! Years down the road when needing major re-do fix it then. Might stumble across a shiny one in your travels and switch coaches if the dents still bother you.
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Old 08-31-2016, 11:52 PM   #3
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Hi, maybe just repair the front below the windshield and replace the front cap. No-one would see the roof. Insurance company will most likely total your vehicle.
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Old 09-01-2016, 04:13 AM   #4
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Richmond , Kentucky
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You might check with your local body shops about doing paintless dent repairs.

The guy pulling dents on Peanut's rear quarter panels has had pretty good success using the paintless dent repair tool similar to the one in the link above.

Something to consider.


Brad
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Old 09-01-2016, 05:14 AM   #5
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Like Robertsunrus said, they will total your vehicle. Buy it back and repair the front cap, marker lights, small panel below he windshield and the fridge vent.
Unfortunately the windshields need to be pulled for the repair, so you are still looking at 6-8000k for a professional job. I would replace the windshield gaskets and any pro shop will recommend the same.
Hopefully you did not sustain any major damage to the side and the rear end caps.
The damage is in access of 20K, so hopefully you have a agreed on value (also called a stated value) on your policy that will make it easy to settle with the insurance company.
The summer sun will make the dents on the roof less noticeable over time, so I would not worry about them.
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Old 09-01-2016, 06:49 AM   #6
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1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes , Texas
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Park the coach in the hot sun and see if some of the dents disappear by themselves. It's been known to happen.

An old aircraft mechanic's technique is to let the sun get the metal hot, then touch the center of the dent with a piece of dry ice (using gloves, of course). Not expensive to try and see what happens.

The painted area below the windshield could be repaired with Bondo and re-painted, just like is done with cars. Bondo does stick to aluminum.

Meanwhile, check along the seams and make sure there's not a dent located where it could cause a leak. If you find that, seal it with an aluminum friendly material (not silicone).
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Old 09-01-2016, 08:57 AM   #7
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This thread makes me cry.
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Old 09-01-2016, 10:58 AM   #8
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1979 28' Airstream Excella 28
Albuquerque , New Mexico
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My friend's trailer has damage like this. Pretty common on 40 year old aluminum vehicle in the southwest. But you can't see it, so they aren't worried about it.

The price of new, quality tires makes me cry.
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Old 09-01-2016, 12:06 PM   #9
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Boy am I sorry about this. Here in the Midwest we get lots of hail and hope not to be out when it happens.

Please let us know what you end up doing.

PS-I love the airplane idea from mimiandrews!
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Old 09-01-2016, 12:44 PM   #10
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How about painting the roof white? This would help cool the rig, it is a fairly common practice with AS, would help reduce damage from future hail storms, helps seal leaks and allows use of conventional auto body filler. Maybe I'm just thinking like a (painted) Argosy MH owner.
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Old 09-01-2016, 01:14 PM   #11
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1974 Argosy 24
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Hammered

I think it looks cool. Try and find hail storms where you can giving the entire surface an expensive "hammered" loo.
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Old 09-01-2016, 06:32 PM   #12
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1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Golden , Colorado
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Thanks to everyone who has commented so far! We have been able to find the fans for the shower and bathroom, the vent cover, and replacement clearance lights. We are still trying to get our hands on the Sparton Spotlight and double trumpet air horns. All should be fairly easy to replace. We are definitely going to try the dry-ice method on the dents and we are also getting in touch with our insurance company to see exactly what is covered and what totalling the vehicle will mean. Please keep the comments and suggestions coming, we really appreciate them!
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Old 09-01-2016, 07:23 PM   #13
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This is an old listing, but I'd bet the guy still has it because he pulled it due to an error in the listing. I was going to buy these to put on my F250 and then decided the rightful place for them was on another Airstream.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151969482589...dbe5ca047&cp=1

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Old 09-01-2016, 08:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KimberlyA View Post
This thread makes me cry.
X2 my stomach sank quite a bit.
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Old 09-02-2016, 09:17 AM   #15
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Ditto the insurance buy back. Friends had their 34 totaled by the ins co. They bought it back and repaired it at P&S in Ohio. Looks great and was cheaper than getting another unit. Roof damage that can't be seen can be filled in and painted white.
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Old 09-02-2016, 10:30 AM   #16
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Well 3 panels on top and 3 or so for front cap and rear cap get your ins ck made in your name do what you can live with put the rest in the bank,smile with your road warrior dents who cares? You will be $$$ n cents ahead! Get on the road have fun. We thought the world ended when hail beat us up $16,000 later who cares if you have a ding. After sitting in the sun some will pop out and folks say wow is that a new one, I just smile and say yes it's a 2015 with honor dings road medals!😎
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Old 09-04-2016, 11:02 AM   #17
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1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Grefrath/ Germany , NRW
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Oh my dear,
but as our other friends sayed, just repair the visible ones, the front can be easily reached by a "normal bodyshop", the windshield gasket is available at "www.airstreamsupply.com". You can ask AIRSTREAM Inc. service in J kson Center OH for an estimate, to show it to your insurance, they gave me a reasonable quote after an "kick" from an idiot in my left/back panel.
The clearnce lights are available for cheap money ("bulls eye") at vintage trailer supply, be aware, the new LED do not fit well ghe housing!!!!
The remote light is a comon gadget on many, many RV's, not only Airstream.
The electric trumpets can be found in many "Trucker-stores", a wide range is available at "www.iowa-80.com".
Try to ignore the dents, as much as you can, enjoy the insurance check (if available) and spent this for chassis improovements!
Happy travels!!!!!
Best wishes from Grefrath/Germany sent's Marcus

P.S.:
I am attaching a few pictures from the clearance marker!
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What you see here, are the new LED clearance markers from "vintage trailer supply", they do not fit well...!
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This is the OEM clearance marker.
You could by only the (cheap!) lenses, but normally the white plastic base is totallly worn after all these years.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums!
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Old 09-04-2016, 02:39 PM   #18
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Durango , Colorado
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Paint-less Dent Repair for Hail Damage Question?

I too live in Colorado which has been the target of many more hail storms than in past years. Call it global warming events or whatever, but the violent microbursts seem to be much more prevalent than in years past. I purchased my 2007 Bambi in Oct. of last year and since then it has weathered 3 hail storms.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with removing the dimples by a qualified paint-less dent repair technician? AS owners seem to offer that as a possible solution but does anyone have any real time experience and if so, does it make the aesthetic appearance better or worse? If someone has experience can you provide before and after pictures? I just received a settlement from my insurance company for the damage. There is a fine line between establishing a settlement that prevents the insurance company from totaling the trailer and the estimate to repair. It is my understanding that when the AS is totaled by the insurance company you are offered the opportunity to buy the trailer back at approximately 1/2 the NADA book value. You also end up with a salvage title which might make it harder to sell if and when you want to upgrade. If anyone is interested they can PM me about my settlement with Travelers Insurance Company. I do not have my AS insured at an agreed value due to the high cost of the premiums and the age of my AS.
Thanks for this thread,
Ken
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