Magic polish. Shine an Airstream in less than a day!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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.

[mefly2]

He is polishing the surface of the clear coated aluminum ... polishing is a relative term ...

[Trixella]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

Tool Box Polish from Diamondbrite is as close as you will get..

I agree. I'm currently using this on my Streamline and its working pretty well.

[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.


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

[ALANSD]

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.

[Stefrobrts]

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.

[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...

[mimiandrews]

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.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by mefly2

He is polishing the surface of the clear coated aluminum ... polishing is a relative term ...

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.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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.


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

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.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

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...

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!

[millertimeUS]

Thanks Frank, your mystery supplier has a very interesting take on capitalism. Must have some story behind that


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76 'Airstream Tradewind

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Not everyone does it for the money. Just ask my book keeper.

[PabloP]

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?

[Stefrobrts]

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.

[ALANSD]

if it is really dirty TSP mixed with water will help tremendously

[AtomicNo13]

X2 on the NuFinish. Its easy to use, inexpensive, and lasts a really long time. Hard to beat its value, ease, and performance.

[mocus]

NuFinish topped with Mothers works great for me.....