Is it common to paint an AS?

[Rich W]

I've been following the forum for a while and checking the classifieds for AS trailers. I came across an ad today for a nice Excella 25' but the seller says it was just painted.

Is this common, to paint an AS? I thought a prime advantage of AS ownership was the fact that it had the aluminum exterior and didn't need painting.

If it is not uncommon, and you do paint it, how often must it be repainted?

Thanks
Rich

[switz]

In the used car world, new paint usually hides a lot of bondo work. So a newly painted Airstream should raise a lot of questions for a really closer inspection. The Argosy models were painted steel to begin with in their life.

[dwightdi]

The clear coat on Airstreams breaks down over time and sun exposure. To maintain its good looks, it will require repainting. P&S does an excellent job of it. They use the same type of clear coat the factory put on, prior to 1995. It will break down again over a number of years.

Some people have painted their Airstreams with Metallic Aluminum colored paint. They usually use Automotive paint without a clear coat. It usually lasts longer than the clear coats.

Purist polish their Airstreams and have to re-polish every year. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by switz

The Argosy models were painted steel to begin with in their life.

Only the upper endcaps of Argosy's were panted steel. All the remaining parts are just like Airstream, aluminum, but painted.

[slowmover]

BobThompson has his painted 25' for sale in classifieds. I would choose paint over polish as I have seen his on several occasions years apart. His thread on painting is very good (pics & text).

[wahoonc]

Common? No. Can it be done? Absolutely and if done properly with great results.

I leave mine au naturel, they have what we call APB... Airstream Pattern Baldness.

Aaron

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by slowmover

BobThompson has his painted 25' for sale in classifieds. I would choose paint over polish as I have seen his on several occasions years apart. His thread on painting is very good (pics & text).

Yes, that's the one I was looking at, a very nice rig. We're newbies at this and are looking at the different models. 25' is the most I'd want to go. We have to determine where to put it since we have no place at the house to store it and not too many places close by.

It looks very nice and well taken care of. I'd just never read about them being painted. Like I said, a newbie, so much to learn.

Rich

[slowmover]

The other attraction of that TT are the many well-conceived, subtle improvements. IMO, you would do well to acquire more photos of that rig for future comparisons.

On an annual basis this TT travelled quite a bit. So, not just updates, but functions as it should. BobThompson is an architect and would not have been daunted in any way in dealing with problems as they arose. IMO, this is as close to a "turn-key" A/S as you will likely find for its age and younger.

Good luck in your search. Note, too, that in response to a poll a few years back that AIR members considered TT's for purchase 1,200-miles away. It is not ever easy to find the right one.

.

[jcanavera]

2005 Moraine View Rally. Trailer belongs to Big Al one of our Canadian members. I remember him telling me that the clear coat was so bad on this trailer new, the dealer painted it.

Jack

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Good luck in your search. Note, too, that in response to a poll a few years back that AIR members considered TT's for purchase 1,200-miles away. It is not ever easy to find the right one.

.

That's almost to the mile how far it is for us to Corpus Christi. We're retired now but still have one at home, college bound this fall. In Bob Thompson's listing he has a link to additional pictures on the AS website. I think it's the first trailer we've seen that we both agree on and still is within reach. He has done a nice job of keeping it up. The only thing that we see as an issue is the dining area has been replaced with the leather lounging chairs. We aren't sure if we'd like that or not, never having owned a trailer before. We like sitting at the table for breakfast, coffee and the newspaper (or laptop in my case).

This one trailer has had the two of us talking more about it than any others we've looked at. It will definitely be the benchmark by which all others are measured. I think if it was 6 months down the road we'd be driving down there. We need to get this one last kid in a college so we know how much "pie" we have left to spend.

Rich

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

2005 Moraine View Rally. Trailer belongs to Big Al one of our Canadian members. I remember him telling me that the clear coat was so bad on this trailer new, the dealer painted it.

Jack

Thanks, Jack. I hope the dealer passed that information back to AS. I would hope AS quality control would be interested in seeing the trailer.

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by richw46

I've been following the forum for a while and checking the classifieds for AS trailers. I came across an ad today for a nice Excella 25' but the seller says it was just painted.

Is this common, to paint an AS? I thought a prime advantage of AS ownership was the fact that it had the aluminum exterior and didn't need painting.

If it is not uncommon, and you do paint it, how often must it be repainted?

Thanks
Rich

It is not common to paint an Airstream, & it typically kills the resale value, however providing the prep is done well & a quality two part automotive paint is used, you will have a finish that will last much longer than any of the clearcoats that Airstream has used over the years. The paint will also help seal leaks. Not my choice, but some like it.
Colin

[billymyers56]

Argosy with. Custom paint job.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by richw46

That's almost to the mile how far it is for us to Corpus Christi. We're retired now but still have one at home, college bound this fall. In Bob Thompson's listing he has a link to additional pictures on the AS website. I think it's the first trailer we've seen that we both agree on and still is within reach. He has done a nice job of keeping it up. The only thing that we see as an issue is the dining area has been replaced with the leather lounging chairs. We aren't sure if we'd like that or not, never having owned a trailer before. We like sitting at the table for breakfast, coffee and the newspaper (or laptop in my case). Rich

After two years and 12 months travel with the dinette arrangement we couldn't wait to get rid of that dinette in favor of comfortable seating. Swivel recliners are the best thing we have done for our Airstream comfort.

We also like a dinette for very short periods, but in 25' this is a good way to go.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by richw46

I've been following the forum for a while and checking the classifieds for AS trailers. I came across an ad today for a nice Excella 25' but the seller says it was just painted.

Is this common, to paint an AS? I thought a prime advantage of AS ownership was the fact that it had the aluminum exterior and didn't need painting.

If it is not uncommon, and you do paint it, how often must it be repainted?

Thanks
Rich

Painting and Airstream silver, pays many rewards.

We have painted them metallic silver for over 40 years, without a single failure.

The key is proper preparation and using top quality materials.

Metallic silver for the shell and metallic charcoal for the underbelly wrap, was the favorite.

The intial cost far exceeds the cost of recoating, but the cost per year is many times lower than the cost of clearcoating every 5 to 7 years.

If an owner plans on keeping the coach forever in the family, then who cares what the resale may be, if that's a question.

In fact however, the resale value increases because in the long term, it's done, future expense is nothing more than polishing the trailer every year or so. But, the same is supposed to be done with the clearcoat. So, that expense cancels itself out.

Like many things, the quality of the paint job is the key.

Andy

[Landrum]

There is an article in the last issue of Airstream Life about the 1980-81 Caravelle. In the article it states the Caravelle could be painted as an option and the article even implies the paint codes were the same offered for all 1980 airstream trailers. I'm no expert and would agree painting isn't common, but it sounds like there could be a few factory painted Airstreams......

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

2005 Moraine View Rally. Trailer belongs to Big Al one of our Canadian members. I remember him telling me that the clear coat was so bad on this trailer new, the dealer painted it. Jack

Having seen BigAl's trailer I can attest to the beautiful look of his rig. You would not know that it is painted unless you look very closely.

There is no diminished value in my book and I would not hesitate to buy, or paint our rig if so inclined. but to each his own.

Kevin

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by richw46

Thanks, Jack. I hope the dealer passed that information back to AS. I would hope AS quality control would be interested in seeing the trailer.

This trailer was built prior to the pre treated Alcoa panels that are used in the newer vintage trailer. This was back in the 90's when Airstream was wrestling with the formula of their clear coat. EPA emission regs caused them to reformulate which led to some bad clear coats. Hence the change to prefinished panels from Alcoa. I thought the work on this paint job was really done well. It's one good looking trailer when you look at it personally.

Jack

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by dkottum

After two years and 12 months travel with the dinette arrangement we couldn't wait to get rid of that dinette in favor of comfortable seating. Swivel recliners are the best thing we have done for our Airstream comfort.

We also like a dinette for very short periods, but in 25' this is a good way to go.

My dinette, in a 35', is pretty much wasted space. Another table/seating arrangement would be better such as more cabinetry and a food prep area/breakfast bar type setup.

In BobThompsons TT there are changes not apparent without close study. But I can tell you that the proportions of things feels just right. Many renovators try to better factory interiors without realizing the balances, the compromises necessary. However pretty, they usually miss the mark. This may not be evident until one is inside or even using it on the road. Not so, this TT. It is improved in aesthetic.

OP, try to view as many TT's as you can. There is simply no substitute.

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

Having seen BigAl's trailer I can attest to the beautiful look of his rig. You would not know that it is painted unless you look very closely.

There is no diminished value in my book and I would not hesitate to buy, or paint our rig if so inclined. but to each his own.

Kevin

Ditto. I think Kevin and I may have seen Big Al's trailer at one of the Falluminium Rallys a few years back. It's a beauty.

And I recall the same conversation that Jack had with Big Al. The clear coat was toast so Airstream (or the dealer?) painted it at little or no cost.

Done right, it's really nice.

Jim

On Edit: I wanted to echo what others have said about Bob's camper. It'll be in top condition. Will be a good buy for whoever buys it.