After I wash it, now what do I do....

[froggies]

Going to wash my new old 1983 310 Airstream moho....after that what do I do...can you wax them....I have tried some Walbernize or something before on another trailer and was super unhappy with it as it just seemed to look cloudier after...I don't have time to polish right now...thanks.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Froggies.

Anything you do to the exterior, at this point, is a waste of time, and money,
unless your coach has been replasticoated.

Plasticoat lasts 3-4 years. Therefore, yours has been long ago, aged out.

If you use anything on the exterior, all you will manage to do is take more of the old finish off, and protecting the coach from bugs.

Other than that, it's done.

Andy

[froggies]

thank-you very much!

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Froggies.

Anything you do to the exterior, at this point, is a waste of time, and money,
unless your coach has been replasticoated.

Plasticoat lasts 3-4 years. Therefore, yours has been long ago, aged out.

If you use anything on the exterior, all you will manage to do is take more of the old finish off, and protecting the coach from bugs.

Other than that, it's done.

Andy

Plasticoat last only 3-4 years? Wow I thought it was suppose to last much longer. Does that mean that you should have it stripped and recoated every 3 years or so?
I plan on coating my AS once I complete the polish work on it. I hope I don't have to redo it every 3 years.................

[Inland RV Center, In]

John G.

Average age of the plasticoat is 3 to 4 years. The hotter the climate, the shorter the life.

Then it becomes aged out and starts peeling.

Or, you can paint them metallic silver like we do, wax it once a year, and it's good for about 20 years.

Costs more intially, but is very cost effective, over it's life.

Andy

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

John G.

Average age of the plasticoat is 3 to 4 years. The hotter the climate, the shorter the life.

Then it becomes aged out and starts peeling.

Or, you can paint them metallic silver like we do, wax it once a year, and it's good for about 20 years.

Costs more intially, but is very cost effective, over it's life.

Andy

Is there anywhere that I can view photos of the finish you're talking about?
Is it possible to paint an AS with a clear automotive finish and then wax that once a year and still have any life expectancy?
I really like the high shine finish and would prefer that over painting with metalic silver. Would that even shine as much as a factory finish does?

[Inland RV Center, In]

John G.

Plasticoat "IS NOT" an automotive finish.

There are many types of clear automotive paints, "BUT" none of them will stick to raw aluminum. Try it if you like. In short order it will peel off like cellophane. Then you will have a problem you don't need.

The only paint that will stick or bind to aluminum, is a primer. Obviously that's out if you want to see the metal.

Bottom line is, it's Plasticoat" or nothing.

Not what you want to hear, but that's the way it is.

If you want to see a metallic finish that we do, go to our web site, inlandrv.com

Andy

[cosmotini]

Is there any harm done to the trailer if the Plasicoat fails? Or is it just cosmetic that it may look ugly when it fails.

Thanks,

Dennis

[Inland RV Center, In]

When the plasticoat on an Airstream fails, it peels off, starting at the roof area, because the roof obviously gets the hottest from the sun.

Normally, all that happens then to the aluminum, is that it discolors and turns slight shades of brown, blue and black.

All that hurts is it's appearance.

However, if the trailer, in that condition is close to salt water, then serious trouble can start. 50 to 75 miles from salt water, is considered too close.

The salt is an acid to the aluminum, and can cause serious oxidation and electrolysis, as well as causing steel to rust, especially within the underbelly.

Trailers parked near salt water for years usually suffer very severe damage to the frame and outriggers.

Andy

[froggies]

Andy,

I looked on your site and I saw the polishing guru....where exactly is the metallic finish you mentioned...thanks.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by froggies

Andy,

I looked on your site and I saw the polishing guru....where exactly is the metallic finish you mentioned...thanks.

I think this is the photo Andy was talking about. It is the first one at the top of the page. here is the link http://www.inlandrv.com/airstream-pics01/crunch101.htm

[Inland RV Center, In]

Froggies.

Many people ask the same question.

The point?

They see the metallic silver paint job, but still think it's the original aluminum finish.

That paint job, is on the first page in the "slide show" and if you go to the Airstream key chains on the left of the first page, click on "projects" and you will see an enlarged view of the same trailer.

Andy

[JohnG]

Andy,

Does Inland RV sell the plasticoat in a Gallon or 5 gallon size so I would be able to apply it to my AS myself? And does it need to be baked on as or like a powder coat?

[Inland RV Center, In]

John.

It's a 2 part mix that is sprayed on.

Comes in gallon kits.

Andy

[froggies]

Andy, It does look very nice...I would be happy with that...except why do you say it costs more initially? I thought polishing seemed expensive, not so much in money as in the hours if you do it yourself....

I have always wondered if polished to a mirror finish..and you are going down the road, if the reflection could possibly blind other drivers....I think the mirror finish is gorgeous but I once was blinded by a semi with a mirror finish from sun reflection and could not see anything...very terrifying when you are flying down the road...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Froggies.

The metallic silver costs more initially.

Andy