Someone please help!?

[Love shack]

We were at rally today and it was at a dealership. So we checked out the new ones. Really cool airstream!!! Ok so anyways to the point. We love the stainless walls. So we asked if we could do that. The gentleman said yes. He told us to do this we needed to spray the walls with fabric softener and it would peel off. And whala we would have aluminum walls. Can someone please explain this to us. We want that look but I can't hardly invasion a whala effect we were done.

[Airslide]

Unfortunately the aluminum walls when uncovered are not that attractive. I dont think you will be that happy with the look vs. the new models..

Vinnie

[Love shack]

Originally Posted by Airslide

Unfortunately the aluminum walls when uncovered are not that attractive. I dont think you will be that happy with the look vs. the new models..

Vinnie

Can someone polish them out and what would that entail?

[Airslide]

The material they used could be polished I suppose but you will find holes drilled in places and rivets here and there. The cuts wont be perfect either. I would think that it would be alot easier to go over it with something or replace it with the finished product.

Vinnie

[Love shack]

Thank you, do you have any suggestions? We really like the more modern style.

[CanoeStream]

The interior aluminum walls on International & Flying Cloud lines are plasticoated exactly like the exterior sheets. I'm afraid there is no way to obtain such a new appearance by stripping the old coating off. Whatever it looks like under the current wall finish, some choices seem to be:
1. leave it alone
2. strip & try to uniformly finish the bare aluminum surface. 'Uniformly' might be hard to reach
3. strip & recoat with something
4. strip & polish

Choices 2-4 could lead you to deciding to remove interior partitions & surfaces so that you can work uniformly. The interior shell contributes to structural strength of the shell and is indispensable.

Be sure & test on the proverbial out of sight area before deciding whether this plan might work.

[kevin242]

I have seen shiny aluminum "checkerplate" and plain panels for sale at different metal suppliers. Could you just install new panelling?

[Tarheel]

Find one with the layout and interior finish you like buy it and put yours up for sale. Probably the cheapest way and most satisfying results.
That is why I have the one I am now using its my 3rd in 12 years and I didn't get rid on any of them because of mechanical issues.

[Love shack]

To me to have to work for something is the most satisfying. I don't mind elbow grease to save a few thousand. Unlike you I probably will never be able to afford anything more than what I have. I'm grateful life has provided this. So I don't mind the hard work. I just don't want to tackle it inexperienced. So I was asking for some wisdom on the subject.

[Love shack]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

The interior aluminum walls on International & Flying Cloud lines are plasticoated exactly like the exterior sheets. I'm afraid there is no way to obtain such a new appearance by stripping the old coating off. Whatever it looks like under the current wall finish, some choices seem to be:
1. leave it alone
2. strip & try to uniformly finish the bare aluminum surface. 'Uniformly' might be hard to reach
3. strip & recoat with something
4. strip & polish

Choices 2-4 could lead you to deciding to remove interior partitions & surfaces so that you can work uniformly. The interior shell contributes to structural strength of the shell and is indispensable.

Be sure & test on the proverbial out of sight area before deciding whether this plan might work.

Thank you for the help, guess well just try and find a different approach to bring it to date. If anyone has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated. With all the experience that lies here I just wanted to throw it out there and see if it was possible. Thank you again for responding.

[wasagachris]

Love shack take a look at this. I am thinking of using it to recover some of my bulkhead walls. It looks like aluminium but is plastic and won't scratch like metal and will be easy to clean.
Brushed Alumium Laminate

[TG Twinkie]

I'm in the same boat. Don't like the look of the "70's fake wood. I've redone the galley in our trailer (see my blog). I just made panels to cover the existing ones. Some are concerned with the added weight. A 4x8 sheet of maple weighs about 20#s by the time I trimmed it to fit the curves, I figured I added about 15#s to the weight. I don't think it will affect my mileage that much.

[Love shack]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Love shack take a look at this. I am thinking of using it to recover some of my bulkhead walls. It looks like aluminium but is plastic and won't scratch like metal and will be easy to clean.
Brushed Alumium Laminate

Now that's what I'm talking about! Very cool let us know how it does for you. The cost, were not rich so well have to prepare. Thank you!

[Cambium29]

Here's an idea, might also work for small areas or as an accent. Aspect tile company has self-adhesive metal tiles in various finishes. Peel and stick over the existing partitions and you have shiny metal walls without all the disassembly headaches. You'll need a pair of tin snips to trim them.

Aspect Metal Tiles

[Splitrock]

I think both Wilsonart and Formica stock an Aluminum Laminate.

http://www.wilsonart.com/press/viewpressrelease.aspx?media=73


Formica Corp Aluminum Laminate

http://www.formica.com/ProductLine_Colors.aspx?prl=PRL_DECOMETAL&cls=CLS_DECOMETAL

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

I think both Wilsonart and Formica stock an Aluminum Laminate.

http://www.wilsonart.com/press/viewpressrelease.aspx?media=73


Formica Corp Aluminum Laminate

http://www.formica.com/ProductLine_Colors.aspx?prl=PRL_DECOMETAL&cls=CLS_DECOMETAL

For smaller, accent areas (the galley backsplash, perhaps?) I like the Formica "Aluminum Spin" pattern, but for larger areas I suspect that might be a bit busy. Maybe one of the "brushed" finishes?

[funkill]

Hey Love Shack ---
I think we'd all have clean aluminum walls (well, a good deal of us) if it was as easy as spraying fabric softener and peeling the vinyl covering off!!!

I typed "strip vinyl walls" in the SEARCH function of this forum and found tons of threads on such. You will probably find more if you type "polish interior walls" too. Here's a start for you but, as you've already seen, there are alternatives.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f39/removing-interior-vinyl-wall-covering-1970s-69281.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/vinyl-covered-walls-18578.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f184...kin-31356.html

If you decide to paint your vinyl walls, you should use the SEARCH function again to find what products we have tried and the pros/cons of that route. There is sooo much info on this forum - almost any thought you have has been covered a few times! Totally awesome. I have planned every aspect of my trailer time and time again - though I haven't actually done it!

Laura

Oh, and just for fun, here's another inspiring thread for your viewing pleasure....
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f415...all-47134.html

[Splitrock]

I used Wilsonart copper laminate in my kitchen in the house I built. Glue it on with contact and trim it like any other high pressure laminate:-)

[Love shack]

Thank you! I just want to say everyone involved with this forum is awesome and so helpful! I absolutely love being involved here! You guys are great ! Thank you!!!!

[Phrunes]

Alsa Corp killer chrome...check them out online. Anyone willing to try it out on some stripped and prepped interior panels?