Return to the Mothership

[BillTex]

Would like to hear from those that have been there/done this; we need to re-clearcoat and a few other odds/ends.

* If you had to do it again; would you return to the factory or go with one of the "after-market" restorers?

* I can think of a few advantages of going back to the factory...any advantage going after market?

*Bottom line; would you go with factory refurb again?

*If you went after-market, would you go this route again?

* Other advice for either route?

* Cost comparisons?

* In either case, did you have to have your AS visualy/physicaly inspected prior to obtaining a quote? Or could some estimate be arrived at via email/pics/phone?

* How accurate was the estimate?

Thanx, Bill

[overlander64]

When I had my Overlander refurbished in 2003, I went with two well-known independent contractors for the vast majority of the work. The exterior restoration was handled by P & S Trailer Service in Helena, Ohio; and I am as pleased with the result today as when the project was just completed. For the interior refurbishment, I went with Fowler RV Interiors in Symsonia, Kentucky; and am just as pleased with the results today as when the project was completed. I was so pleased with the results on the interior of the Overlander that I had the Fowlers refurbish the interior of my Minuet in 2004.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[TomW]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Would like to hear from those that have been there/done this; we need to re-clearcoat ...

Does the factory offer re-clearcoating? I thought they left polishing & clearcoating up to others.

Tom

[Texas Jan]

We are thinking of redoing out clear coat also, live near Houston, Tx. Sure would like to hear if anyone around us has had an experience with this. Currently we are removing the clearcoat on our 75 model and will be wanting to redo soon.

[overlander64]

Greetings!

Originally Posted by Texas Jan

We are thinking of redoing out clear coat also, live near Houston, Tx. Sure would like to hear if anyone around us has had an experience with this. Currently we are removing the clearcoat on our 75 model and will be wanting to redo soon.

Technically, the coating on our Airstreams is referred to as Plasticoat. Plasticoat first appeared in the late 1950s and had become an option in the 1960s -- and a standard feature by the mid/late-1960s. Over the years, it has had a number of different formulations, but it is far removed from the typical automotive clear coats as it has plasticizers that allow for the expansion and contraction of the aluminum. There are only a few shops capable of handling the specialized application of the true Plasticoat. P & S Trailer Service in Helena, Ohio is among the oldest of these firms; and was the firm that I chose when it came time to polish and plasticoat my Overlander. I have been totally satisfied with the results, and the finish is still quite nice today after more than 7 years of use.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by TomW

Does the factory offer re-clearcoating? I thought they left polishing & clearcoating up to others.

Tom

Can anyone confirm that?
I would have thought that would be one of their primary services?

Bill

[loudruff]

From the experiences of others and listening around the ol' campfire, most folks that have had work done at P & S think their work is superior. We need to have our Excella done, and we will go and see them for a quote. Don't think that the Mothership is set up to do the plastic coat in the prime way that we have heard that P & S is. They specialize. It seems to be the place to have it done right.

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by TomW

Does the factory offer re-clearcoating? I thought they left polishing & clearcoating up to others.

Tom

The factory put a new clearcoat on our '99 in '01 under warrantee because of peeling. It took two weeks to complete. At the time they said the new clearcoat would probably start peeling withing a year which it did. They said they were under EPA constraints in the materials they could use, which caused the peeling. They thought I would get a better long lasting clearcoat from an aftermarket company not so constrained. But, of course, I would have had to pay for it. This was 9 years ago and perhaps new technology has changed things. Since then I've talked with at least one person who paid some $3,000 for an aftermarket clearcoat.

[crispyboy]

Whether it be the factory or aftermarket - they all must comply with EPA constraints.
Ever get an estimate to have an old car painted? Not an elcheapo Maaco enamel paint job with no prep, a real paint job that will last. Big money to have this done.
Apparently P & S has a large following so it would be worthwhile to give them a call.

[BillTex]

Will P&S fix dings, reseal joints, etc or are they strictly "clear coat"? Tough to tell from their website...what are their capabilities?

Tx, Bill

[mutcth]

They are a full restoration shop - we stopped there this year to look at a few Caravels they had in stock. They seemed very straight-forward and honest, but I haven't had occasion to use their services.

Tom

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Will P&S fix dings, reseal joints, etc or are they strictly "clear coat"? Tough to tell from their website...what are their capabilities?

Tx, Bill

I guess what I am getting at is; one stop shopping...can P & S provide this?

Tx, Bill

[TomW]

Not to be a smartass, but perhaps you could call & ask?

Tom

[hampstead38]

P&S is doing work on the Overlander. We're waiting for "the reveal" when we pick it up this month. Steve Ruth has been a pleasure to work with and I don't think there's anything on an Airstream restoration their shop couldn't handle. And if there was something they didn't feel comfortable with, I think they'd be honest enough to tell you.

[Dwight]

Steve and his son are great guys and will do you a good job for a fair price. They stripped and recoated our 34' from the beltline up, they said the bottom didn't need to be bothered.

[StingrayL82]

Originally Posted by BillTex

Can anyone confirm that?
I would have thought that would be one of their primary services?

Bill

Bill,

Airstream farms out their Plasticoat work to P&S. I have confirmed this, after talking with Jim a long time ago, in the Airstream Service Dept.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by BillTex

...I would have thought that would be one of their primary services?...

once upon a time it was.

now it is NOT.

and they regularly refer folks to helena for REcoating.

i agree with tom CONTACT the shop in question and ask what they can or cannot do...

j/c or helena or whichever shop u are considering.
___________

"one stop/full service/do it all" means different things to different people.

u might consider LISTING the changes, upgrades, repairs and so on...

because the o.p. and follow up is pretty vague, except for recoating and 'dings'...

then folks who have had ANY of those things done (on your list) could comment on the outcome.

REcoating, done well involves a LOT of prep and goes way beyond stripping/spraying...

gaskets, seals, trim, external plastic bits, acryl-r, sealants, polishing bumpers, wheel well trim...

A frame, tank covers, skylights, glass, rock guards, under belly, awning removal/repairs...

and POLISHING...

are just some of the things that may or may NOT be included with spraying ON plasti-kote.

and will significantly impact the PRICE and final APPEARANCE.
____________

like a home remodel, addition, or many other 'contractor services'...

there are a LOT of unhappy customers in the RV repair world, along with the satisfied folks.

and the most common theme with the UNhappy folks is not communicating CLEARLY IN ADVANCE about the project...

and getting it ALL in writing.

-what is to be done...
-what brand/make parts are to be used...
-how long it will take; reasonably firm start/stop dates...
-cleanup, storage, delivery, pick up...
-un expected issues and HOW they will be addressed.
-CHANGES initiated BY THE CUSTOMER once work begins and price is set...
-documentation of the changes/upgrades/work,
-on going PRICE changes...
-what happens IF the customer isn't happy with the outcome.
-WHO inspects the work
-how/IF there will be updates/ongoing communication WITH THE CUSTOMER during the repairs...
-labor rates, parts and shipping fees...
-shop fees/disposal fees/subcontractor fees...
-trailer security WHILE on shop property...
-how follow up is handles (for example SHAKE DOWN adjustments)
-the WARRANTY (labor vs parts)
-the use of a 'mechanics liens' by the shop and regional laws related to this...

-and so on....

there are really a LOT of issues beyond the estimate and final cost, even though these 2 items are often the main focus.

and keep in mind if its NOT in writing, don't count on it happening...

and if you don't understand HOW disputes are handled, that places YOU at a big disadvantage...
___________

i have had a LOT of warranty work and some after market tweaks/work done in j/c.

they do pretty careful inspections, write reasonably detailed estimates and have a policy IF the cost exceeds the estimates...

they do a good job of communications and LISTENING to the customer before the works begins,

and are REALLY good with time management during a project.

j/c can do almost ANYthing structural, but for cosmetic upgrades or custom finishes there are MUCH better options.

i have also paid for a total makeover that exceeded the purchase price of the unit when NEW

as i originally purchased and this work was NOT done in j/c.

custom shops are great at custom makeovers or upgrades, some are CLEARLY better than others.

many shops work in price ranges,

in other words there are shops that are KNOWN for pricey over the top fabrications,

vs just doing high quality cleanups/and basic repairs...

and some shops do NOT do structural repairs or may for example ONLY do interior and appliance upgrades.

your budget, needs and expectations matter when choosing WHO will do WHAT.

so DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
____________

there are a LOT of examples here of...
"i dropped it off for work we talked about on the phone, they aren't done yet and i don't know how long it will be and it's not clear NOW what exactly they are doing to MY trailer"...

don't be THAT person.

cheers
2air'

[BillTex]

Thanks to those who responded to the original questions. I was hoping to get unbiased overviews of different experiences without getting into a lot of details at this early stage...which, of course, would be done with a vendor when the decision is made.

There are many vendors out there doing resto's...I would like to narrow the field prior to any first person contact. There is nothing like hearing from satisfied, or disatisfied customers first...the beauty of the www!


Tx, Bill