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04-19-2011, 07:52 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1970 21' Globetrotter
new orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
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Interior walls
Is there a layer of aluminum on the interior of the vintage airstreams? When you see pics of those renovated airstreams that have the inside panels shiny aluminum was that added or is that under the wall material?
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04-19-2011, 08:04 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhirstius
Is there a layer of aluminum on the interior of the vintage airstreams? When you see pics of those renovated airstreams that have the inside panels shiny aluminum was that added or is that under the wall material?
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The is aluminum on the inside walls and has been from almost day one.
It adds strength to the "monocoque" construction.
Andy
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04-19-2011, 08:09 AM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
1970 21' Globetrotter
new orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
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Thanks andy, How hard is it to pull the interior wall out and expose the aluminum for polishing, does the trailer lose any structural integrity if you do that?
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04-19-2011, 08:24 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhirstius
Thanks andy, How hard is it to pull the interior wall out and expose the aluminum for polishing, does the trailer lose any structural integrity if you do that?
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The interior walls are held in place with "pop" rivets. They can be drilled out with a # 30 drill bit.
However, the trailer must be placed on jacks, so that the shell does not sag at all, when you remove that metal.
But, the better part is, why do you want to remove the metal? It can easily be stripped of it's vinyl coating and polished while still on the walls.
That would take a little more effort, but far less than removing the metal for polishing.
Andy
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04-19-2011, 09:04 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1970 25' Tradewind
Cleveland
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 89
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Are you refering to the coating on the face of the aluminum?
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04-19-2011, 09:12 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1970 25' Tradewind
Cleveland
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 89
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That is a vinyl coating. There are some very informative threads in the restoration portion of the forum for walls, upholstery and so forth.
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04-19-2011, 12:00 PM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
1970 21' Globetrotter
new orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
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thanks I did not realize the the aluminum is actually covered with vinyl I thought it was a laminate skin. I appreciate everyones advise.
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04-19-2011, 01:45 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
jackson center
, Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 159
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Some interiors had zolatone paint over the interior aluminum skin.
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04-19-2011, 01:50 PM
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#9
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Always Airstreaming!
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown
, Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Schu
Some interiors had zolatone paint over the interior aluminum skin.
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It being a 1965 absolutly zolatone! We all know how much fun that is to get off. Do-able but not always fun.
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
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04-21-2011, 09:47 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Twin Lakes
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickandsandi
It being a 1965 absolutly zolatone! We all know how much fun that is to get off. Do-able but not always fun.
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How do you get that Zolatone off?
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04-21-2011, 11:09 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
Asheville
, NC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 84
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One way
Dirty Jobs |
Here is how I did it. It is fairly simple just a lot of elbow grease.
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04-21-2011, 03:31 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Twin Lakes
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewM
Dirty Jobs |
Here is how I did it. It is fairly simple just a lot of elbow grease.
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Perfect. Thanks!
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04-21-2011, 04:20 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eliminator46
That is a vinyl coating. There are some very informative threads in the restoration portion of the forum for walls, upholstery and so forth.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Schu
Some interiors had zolatone paint over the interior aluminum skin.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewM
Dirty Jobs |
Here is how I did it. It is fairly simple just a lot of elbow grease.
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Zolatone was used from the mid-50's to the mid-60's when they transitioned over to the vinyl-clad aluminum panels. '65 is a transition year that has both...but I think after that, it is primarily vinyl. Removing the vinyl is a very different process than removing the Zolatone - neither one are what I would call fun...depends on your year which is your challenge ~
Shari
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04-21-2011, 08:24 PM
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#14
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Personally, I'd think twice before launching into removing Zolatone, if I had it.
Really, it's not an unpleasant coating, and secondly, it is low maintenance and goes well with any colour scheme.
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04-21-2011, 08:32 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
Personally, I'd think twice before launching into removing Zolatone, if I had it.
Really, it's not an unpleasant coating, and secondly, it is low maintenance and goes well with any colour scheme.
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Agreed.
I also wouldn't want to camp in a "fun house" with a totally polished interior...but that's just me.
Shari
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04-22-2011, 06:47 AM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
Asheville
, NC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 84
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Gloves
I don't know if I mentioned it in the article but make sure you wear gloves, and probably some safety glasses. Citristrip is earth griendly but it will still tear your hands up.
I agree about the "funhouse". That is why I used steel wool to give a brushed lookon the endcaps, then I will just paint over the rest. I had had a second layer of paint on top of my Zolatone which had mildew and was peeling. I never really thought of trying to take one and leave the other layer of paint. Probably not worth the effort.
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04-23-2011, 05:08 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Twin Lakes
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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I did get the vinyl off with Citristrip...labor intense on a larger scale
Maybe this should wait till next year.
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04-02-2012, 11:35 PM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
1984 31' Airstream310
on the road
, CA and OR this summer!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 101
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aluminum laminate
forget stripping....ive seen thin aluminum laminate riveted and adhered to the existing walls.
i dont know if i'm just not using the thread search properly but does anyone know a good supplier of the stuff.
i'm looking for large rolls
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1984 310 Limited Motorhome
my AS Moho blog for the love of all vehicles round and shiny
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