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11-18-2014, 04:32 AM
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#21
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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I was just trying to understand… an 06 has a very different skin than those built before 1979. Polishing and buffing are very different things. To polish the skin of an 06 you are talking about a major job. When you apply this NuFinish you are not getting a mirror finish, you are cleaning the surface.
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11-18-2014, 08:33 AM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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He is polishing the surface of the clear coated aluminum ... polishing is a relative term ...
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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11-19-2014, 08:25 AM
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#23
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2 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ALANSD
Tool Box Polish from Diamondbrite is as close as you will get..
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I agree. I'm currently using this on my Streamline and its working pretty well.
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11-19-2014, 08:55 AM
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#24
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4 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
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Magic polish. Shine an Airstream in less than a day!
Frank have you written a post on your shops techniques, tools, and materials for shining pre-1979 ALCLAD? Would love to learn from your experience on what is currently the easiest method and materials.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
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11-19-2014, 09:57 AM
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#25
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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I found Toolbox and a Cyclo to be a great combination. I have had some luck with Nuvite and the Rouge bars, but for a nice shine that is not show "car" level Diamondbrite does the job.
I also tried Gord's polish... it was not great from my experience. Just worked for touchups and the Diamondbrite again was superior.
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11-19-2014, 10:27 AM
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#26
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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There's been a lot of experimenting done in this area, and I can tell you after ten years of watching the results from various members using various 'miracle' polishing compounds, if it polishes fast, it won't last. A real well-polished trailer takes a lot of time.
__________________
Stephanie
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11-19-2014, 11:13 AM
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#27
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4 Rivet Member
2006 19' Safari SE
Hayes
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 345
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Shine/Polish
The only thing I know is that I used the Nu Finish first and get a good glossy shine, cleans the surface and then seal it with Mothers. What ever I am doing sure works "for me." Sorry to have intruded on this thread---I didn't know the difference in the model years. Maybe someday I'll learn the AS lingo. Sorry...
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11-19-2014, 12:24 PM
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#28
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,767
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I got ours polished back to "original finish" aluminum with Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish from the local auto supply and a Cyclo with yellow wool pads. One pass in some places, two or three in other places.
Of course this is after Aircraft Stripper to get the old clear coat off.
Not mirror finish, but it looks good. Also about as hard as an ol' lady wants to work on polishing a trailer.
It's been a couple of years, and I may need to consider a touch-up one of these days.
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11-19-2014, 01:55 PM
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#29
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mefly2
He is polishing the surface of the clear coated aluminum ... polishing is a relative term ...
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It's not a relative term when you are paying someone to polish your trailer. Your 2015 also has the coated mill spec aluminum. If it were, say a 1966 and you brought it in for polishing and I just buffed it up, you would quickly understand how unrelated buffing and polishing are. You would probably report me the the better business bureau.
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11-19-2014, 02:21 PM
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#30
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by millertimeUS
Frank have you written a post on your shops techniques, tools, and materials for shining pre-1979 ALCLAD? Would love to learn from your experience on what is currently the easiest method and materials.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
76 'Airstream Tradewind
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The products I use for the first cut are custom made for a guy in Florida. He has been kind enough to sell me enough for about 50 trailers but has decided he does not want to get into doing retail sales. He is also apprehensive about dealing with Airstreamers since he feels "Airstreamers are a bunch of idiots. They all think they know it all and are not willing to entertain other avenues." Being an Airstreamer, I guess I am an idiot too...
He actually developed the products for polishing stainless and aluminum boat parts and found it worked very well on alclad too. I have to agree with him. Unfortunately, there is nothing to share since one cannot buy the wheels or custom made rouge bars. The closest thing is the Jestco system.
For the final three passes I use various foam pads on a cyclo with, yep, Diamond Brite. Yellow, blue, then white pads.
This method is very fast for the initial cut. The cyclo steps take more time. I am not sure how long the method I use will last. I touched my own trailer up this Spring after 4 years just using the blue and white pads. Between the first polish and the re touch, I washed it once and never once waxed it. I am pretty pleased.
I think the key to polishing is finding what works for you and using that. There are many many methods. Which is the right one, the one you like the best.
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11-19-2014, 02:26 PM
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#31
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mocus
The only thing I know is that I used the Nu Finish first and get a good glossy shine, cleans the surface and then seal it with Mothers. What ever I am doing sure works "for me." Sorry to have intruded on this thread---I didn't know the difference in the model years. Maybe someday I'll learn the AS lingo. Sorry...
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Asking is how one learns. I have friends who own newer model trailers and they too maintain their skin with NuFinish. One uses some product I cannot remember the name of. One bit of advice for you is to keep wax on all the cast parts. I think you have cast tail lights and I have seen a lot of corrosion issues with the clear failing and the parts then suffering from filiform corrosion under the clear.
If it is working for you, keep using it!
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11-20-2014, 07:13 AM
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#32
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4 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
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Thanks Frank, your mystery supplier has a very interesting take on capitalism. Must have some story behind that
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
76 'Airstream Tradewind
__________________
Matt
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11-20-2014, 02:26 PM
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#33
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Not everyone does it for the money. Just ask my book keeper.
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12-12-2014, 10:34 AM
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#34
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New Member
1965 20' Globetrotter
Kerrville
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
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I am needing to just wash my trailer, not ready to polish it. I have a 65 Globetrotter with water marks dust and some bird droppings and sap. What soap should be used that will not damage surface and what technique?
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12-12-2014, 10:44 AM
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#35
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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I use car soap, a soft brush, and lots of water. You want to loosen up and rinse away dirt. Start at the top and work down.
__________________
Stephanie
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12-12-2014, 02:14 PM
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#36
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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if it is really dirty TSP mixed with water will help tremendously
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12-12-2014, 02:50 PM
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#37
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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X2 on the NuFinish. Its easy to use, inexpensive, and lasts a really long time. Hard to beat its value, ease, and performance.
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12-14-2014, 09:10 AM
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#38
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4 Rivet Member
2006 19' Safari SE
Hayes
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 345
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NuFinish topped with Mothers works great for me.....
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