Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums > Exterior Restoration Forum > Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing
Click Here to Login
Register Vendors FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search Log in

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-07-2005, 09:21 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
Strip 'n Polish Project Thread (lots of great tips and links)

Well, since it is finally somewhat nice outside , I thought I'd try out a test section of stripping the trailer. Over the next few weeks & months, I'll be stripping and then polishing our 1975 Safari. I'll keep updating this thread also.

It is a continuation of this thread, where I struggled with what to do with the exterior. Many thanks to all those people who helped on that thread.

I bought 4 gallons of Napier Removeall 220. It is fairly thick (like paint), and you brush it on. We left it sitting on the door for about 1 1/2 hours, and then we just hosed the paint off with the garden spray nozzle. The nice thing is that it doesn't appear to hurt the grass, since there is no solvent involved, and there was no smell. The water deactivates the catalyst (which I believe is Peroxide based), and all the stripped clearcoat ends up dripping onto the ground with the water.

Another nice surprise was that we 'painted' the Removeall 220 right over the pinstriping, and it didn't affect it at all!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	strip1.JPG
Views:	1366
Size:	31.3 KB
ID:	12033   Click image for larger version

Name:	strip2.JPG
Views:	1358
Size:	25.1 KB
ID:	12034  

Click image for larger version

Name:	strip3.JPG
Views:	1307
Size:	34.1 KB
ID:	12037   Click image for larger version

Name:	strip4.JPG
Views:	1334
Size:	44.1 KB
ID:	12038  

Click image for larger version

Name:	strip5.JPG
Views:	1263
Size:	57.5 KB
ID:	12039  
Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2005, 09:03 AM   #2
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
I tried the lower section of the door last night, to see how it would work. I didn't have any wool compounding bonnets yet, so I quickly cyclo'd it with the medium grade Nuvite. It turned out great for 5 minutes of work. I can't wait to get started this Saturday, barring any poor weather!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	door1.JPG
Views:	1194
Size:	69.9 KB
ID:	12070  
Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2005, 09:48 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
balrgn's Avatar
 
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County , New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
Images: 74
Send a message via AIM to balrgn Send a message via Yahoo to balrgn
Very Nice>>!!!<< Currently working on my 75 Trade Wind 1/2 done the first pass. Looks great too!
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
balrgn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2005, 10:02 AM   #4
a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
 
Safari Tim's Avatar
 
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern , California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
Images: 35
Looking good. You're on your way!

I'm about 2/3 done with my yearly cycloing and wax job...
__________________
-Tim
1960 International Ambassador 28'
2001 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 4.10
Check out my book: Restoring a Dream
Check out my Airstream book for kids!: Airstream Adventures
theVAP - Airstream Podcast
Safari Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2005, 08:17 PM   #5
4 Rivet Member
 
1990 34' Excella
Windcrest , Texas
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 248
Images: 5
Unhappy Removeall 220

I bought 4 gallons of Napier Removeall 220. It is fairly thick (like paint), and you brush it on. We left it sitting on the door for about 1 1/2 hours, and then we just hosed the paint off with the garden spray nozzle. The nice thing is that it doesn't appear to hurt the grass, since there is no solvent involved, and there was no smell. The water deactivates the catalyst (which I believe is Peroxide based), and all the stripped clearcoat ends up dripping onto the ground with the water.


Your project is looking great. I've got a 31 ft Excella 500 that I'm debating on stripping and your thread caught my attention. If I read you correctly, this stripper was a 'brush on' style and you simply washed it off. How much scraping did you have to do after washing the area? Also, where did you get the Removeall 220?

Thanks again since I want to have my ducks in a row before trying to tackle this job.
Swanny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2005, 09:44 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Elgin , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 800
Images: 164
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanny
Your project is looking great. I've got a 31 ft Excella 500 that I'm debating on stripping and your thread caught my attention. If I read you correctly, this stripper was a 'brush on' style and you simply washed it off. How much scraping did you have to do after washing the area? Also, where did you get the Removeall 220?

Thanks again since I want to have my ducks in a row before trying to tackle this job.
Swanny -

ICI Paints carries this as Hydrostrip 502 - same product as the Napier under a different name. The ICI dealer in Round Rock had it in stock. I'm sure there would be an ICI dealer down your way.
__________________

bake315 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2005, 04:10 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
balrgn's Avatar
 
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County , New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
Images: 74
Send a message via AIM to balrgn Send a message via Yahoo to balrgn
You might want to consider using Por Remover /Stripper For my 1975 25' I uses less than 1 1/2 gallons. Spray it on (they give you a bottle) and wait 30 or so seconds and scrape it off with a plastic scraper. It is unreal how fast it works. Second application, to get what stays stuck I used scotch brite.
Just a thought...
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
balrgn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2005, 08:22 AM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanny
Your project is looking great. I've got a 31 ft Excella 500 that I'm debating on stripping and your thread caught my attention. If I read you correctly, this stripper was a 'brush on' style and you simply washed it off. How much scraping did you have to do after washing the area? Also, where did you get the Removeall 220?

Thanks again since I want to have my ducks in a row before trying to tackle this job.
Swanny,

I pretty much had to do no scraping at all. There were a couple of spots where I hadn't covered the skin properly, so it didn't strip everything there, but that was more my fault. A bit of a wipe with a rag over the whole door, and she was ready to go. I couldn't believe how easy it was. It makes the $50/gal price worth it.
Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2005, 09:38 PM   #9
4 Rivet Member
 
1990 34' Excella
Windcrest , Texas
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 248
Images: 5
Thanks to everyone for the great tips. I think I'm sold on going with the polishing route. On another note, this model of AS has a 5-6" wide blue stripe all the way around it. When I rub my fingers across it, it feels like vinyl.

Any idea of what this material is and how do you suggest treating it? My hunch was to use Armorall or something of that nature. Thanks again for all of your tips.

Mitch
Swanny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2005, 10:27 AM   #10
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
I did some more stripping yesterday. Did the entire endcap, and one of the sides. This is sure an interesting stripper. You leave it on for a couple of hours after painting it on thick. Then from a distance it looks like it's dry, but if you look really close, you can see it crystalizing.

Hosing it off afterwards is fairly easy. However, a pressure washer would be nice to have.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	strip6.JPG
Views:	1166
Size:	82.2 KB
ID:	12129   Click image for larger version

Name:	strip7.JPG
Views:	1186
Size:	42.4 KB
ID:	12130  

Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2005, 04:25 PM   #11
a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
 
Safari Tim's Avatar
 
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern , California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
Images: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferroequine
I did some more stripping yesterday. Did the entire endcap, and one of the sides. This is sure an interesting stripper. You leave it on for a couple of hours after painting it on thick. Then from a distance it looks like it's dry, but if you look really close, you can see it crystalizing.

Hosing it off afterwards is fairly easy. However, a pressure washer would be nice to have.
I don't know what stripper your using, but I don't think your supposed to leave it on that long. Probably 10-15 minutes is enough.
__________________
-Tim
1960 International Ambassador 28'
2001 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 4.10
Check out my book: Restoring a Dream
Check out my Airstream book for kids!: Airstream Adventures
theVAP - Airstream Podcast
Safari Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2005, 05:42 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
balrgn's Avatar
 
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County , New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
Images: 74
Send a message via AIM to balrgn Send a message via Yahoo to balrgn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safari Tim
I don't know what stripper your using, but I don't think your supposed to leave it on that long. Probably 10-15 minutes is enough.
That does seem long? The stuff I used was spray on after 30 seconds wipe off. took less than 3 hours to do the whole unit... (1 1/2 gallons did the trick)
Do think the metal may be etched?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02681.jpg
Views:	1007
Size:	75.7 KB
ID:	12142  
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
balrgn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2005, 07:41 PM   #13
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
Quote:
Originally Posted by Safari Tim
I don't know what stripper your using, but I don't think your supposed to leave it on that long. Probably 10-15 minutes is enough.
The stripper is Peroxide based, and not a solvent. Boeing approves the product as well for all of their planes. Tom @ Perfect polish said to leave it for a couple of hours, although I have found an hour to be enough. Some guys with airplanes apparantly leave it on for up to 4 hours.

It didn't etch any of the side panels as far as I can tell.
Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2005, 07:43 PM   #14
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
Re: the picture above with the crystalizing -- it hosed right off and came out with nice clean, smooth aluminum.
Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2005, 04:02 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
balrgn's Avatar
 
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County , New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
Images: 74
Send a message via AIM to balrgn Send a message via Yahoo to balrgn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferroequine
The stripper is Peroxide based, and not a solvent. Boeing approves the product as well for all of their planes. Tom @ Perfect polish said to leave it for a couple of hours, although I have found an hour to be enough. Some guys with airplanes apparantly leave it on for up to 4 hours.

It didn't etch any of the side panels as far as I can tell.
That's good to hear. You have enough work ahead of ya!
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
balrgn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2005, 10:37 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
3Ms75Argosy's Avatar
 
1975 Argosy 26
1963 24' Tradewind
Seattle , Washington
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,341
Images: 7
No worries!

I left my ICI Hydrostrip (same stuff as the Napier) overnight once when I ran out of time and had to run and get my children from school (trailer's 1.5 hrs from home). Aluminum was fine. Now, citri strip would be another story (it ate away the brush and container I was using when I experimented with it when I ran out of the Hydrostrip). I did find I had to apply another coat though if it dried on the metal to get it off. Depending on the heat, about 1 hours was enough for me (although the metal galvinized caps on the Argosy are still giving me fits).
Marc
3Ms75Argosy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2005, 09:32 PM   #17
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
I finished the stripping this weekend, and started on the polish. I figured I would start from the top down. We rented some scaffolding, and ran some planks across so that we could access the top. It was also much easier to stand on the top of the scaffold and do the top curve.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	scaffold1.jpg
Views:	1011
Size:	80.8 KB
ID:	12369   Click image for larger version

Name:	scaffold2.jpg
Views:	999
Size:	90.6 KB
ID:	12370  

Click image for larger version

Name:	scaffold3.jpg
Views:	929
Size:	87.2 KB
ID:	12371   Click image for larger version

Name:	scaffoldplank.jpg
Views:	994
Size:	65.6 KB
ID:	12372  

Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2005, 09:37 PM   #18
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 100
At this point, I've got the top done, the side done down to the middle blue strip, and the entire door. Compounded twice with F7, and then Cyclo'd with C and then S. I think we're getting somewhere!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	polish1.jpg
Views:	963
Size:	61.2 KB
ID:	12373   Click image for larger version

Name:	polish2.jpg
Views:	916
Size:	69.0 KB
ID:	12374  

Ferroequine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2005, 11:07 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
Buttercup's Avatar
 
1977 27' Overlander
1954 25' Cruiser
1990 34.5' Airstream 345
VC Highlands , Nevada
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,151
Send a message via Skype™ to Buttercup
Great setup

Nice looking setup you have there. Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm taking notes from your experience for when we get to the polishing stage of our rennovation.

Kimber
__________________
Buttercup's Web Site. WBCCI #17330, 11281 & 7830. VAC Past President, TAC NV-2 & NV-3
Buttercup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2005, 11:11 PM   #20
a.k.a. Ambassador Tim
 
Safari Tim's Avatar
 
1960 28' Ambassador
Northern , California
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,921
Images: 35
Great Job. You're to be comended for starting at the top down.

Most of us try and skip the top and hide it

But it backfired for me since I live in a two story house

You got a great start there. Better get the sunscreen out!
__________________
-Tim
1960 International Ambassador 28'
2001 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 4.10
Check out my book: Restoring a Dream
Check out my Airstream book for kids!: Airstream Adventures
theVAP - Airstream Podcast
Safari Tim is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.