"New" 70 Overlander Questions from NE WI

[DonFitz]

Hi there! After talking about it for a couple of years my baby and I decided to buy an Airstream through E Bay. No horror stories...we had an honorable seller and it was a positive experience! We picked it up a few weeks ago and started our "stewardship" of this great silver beast. It's a 1970 Overlader Intl Double, and while the prev owner did some very nice upgrades (new A/C, TV antenna, power tongue lift) the interior has thankfully been left alone and is in very good condition. We took it on a trial weekend to Copper Falls State Park in far northern Wisc - and despite the constant rain and chill in the air the AS was cozy and we had a great time! Now that we've had it a few weeks I'm thinking about what we can do to restore it, and I need some advice. At one point there was some kind of a royal blue striping tape that covered rivets in an accent channel along the bottom measuring about 3/4 inch wide, and there's a smaller stripe about 1/4 inch wide needing to be replaced as well...any idea where you can get that tape? Also about 1/3 of the roof, and starting to creep down the sides, the clearcoat is missing, and the finish looks dull. Is there a way a do it yourselfer can repair that? I'm planning to get some paint to touch up the faded blue paint accents around the tailights and the AS logos front and rear.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by DonFitz

Hi there! After talking about it for a couple of years my baby and I decided to buy an Airstream through E Bay. No horror stories...we had an honorable seller and it was a positive experience! We picked it up a few weeks ago and started our "stewardship" of this great silver beast. It's a 1970 Overlader Intl Double, and while the prev owner did some very nice upgrades (new A/C, TV antenna, power tongue lift) the interior has thankfully been left alone and is in very good condition. We took it on a trial weekend to Copper Falls State Park in far northern Wisc - and despite the constant rain and chill in the air the AS was cozy and we had a great time! Now that we've had it a few weeks I'm thinking about what we can do to restore it, and I need some advice. At one point there was some kind of a royal blue striping tape that covered rivets in an accent channel along the bottom measuring about 3/4 inch wide, and there's a smaller stripe about 1/4 inch wide needing to be replaced as well...any idea where you can get that tape?

Some of that is available from Airstream, in large rolls only, as far as I know. InlandRV used to carry it. They are a forum member.

Originally Posted by DonFitz

Also about 1/3 of the roof, and starting to creep down the sides, the clearcoat is missing, and the finish looks dull. Is there a way a do it yourselfer can repair that?

Clearcoat failure is very common. You can strip the entire trailer, and have it re-applied, or polish the beast. Search for clear coat, there's lots of info on this.

Originally Posted by DonFitz

I'm planning to get some paint to touch up the faded blue paint accents around the tailights and the AS logos front and rear.

Some forum member have used Rustoleum's Royal Blue. A close match.

Welcome to the forums, btw.

[Boondocker]

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on what sounds to be a fine coach. Post some pic

[john hd]

welcome aboard!

good to see another wisconsinite on the board!

john

[WayWard Wind]

Welcome aboard. Put up some pics of the new abode. We get over your way several times a year, as our daughter & husband live in Egg Harbor. Wife wants to move to Door Co., but I said I will only go that way if we buy in Algoma. A really pretty town, imho.
Best,