Anyone know of a polishing company near Ottawa (ON)?

[Mackhopp]

I'd like to find a company that can strip the failing plasticoat from my 2005 Airstream and polish to a mirror finish.

I asked the local A/S dealership here in town and they weren't very helpful, suggesting I call an automobile detail shop while shrugging their shoulders.

Does anyone know of a company relatively nearby that I can hire to get my trailer all shiny and beautiful?

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[Melody Ranch]

Can you get it to Texas? Leave it for three weeks?

[Tltulsa]

The stripping isn't the difficult part. There are many non-toxic brands that will do a good job. Just be sure to cover your windows and plastic parts well with a good masking tape and paper. Apply, let it set, and hose off with some minor scraping. I would encourage you to try this yourself. The buffing is a different, messy story. However, it's really just labor. If you find a high quality shop that you trust, my advise would be to give it a shot.

[wkerfoot]

I didn't think a 2005 was polishable because of the mill finish and factory applied coating.

Bill

Originally Posted by Tltulsa

The stripping isn't the difficult part. There are many non-toxic brands that will do a good job. Just be sure to cover your windows and plastic parts well with a good masking tape and paper. Apply, let it set, and hose off with some minor scraping. I would encourage you to try this yourself. The buffing is a different, messy story. However, it's really just labor. If you find a high quality shop that you trust, my advise would be to give it a shot.

[Lumatic]

Ditto. the stripping is a no brainer. Depending on the stripper you can get most of it off with a garden hose. Some use a pressure washer but you have to be careful around the seams. Remove All or KleenCut Aircraft stripper are common but toxic. Orange based stripper will also work.

[Mackhopp]

Thanks for the replies.

I have pretty noticeable filiform corrosion, it's painful to look at. If it can't be polished to a mirror finish due to the mill finish, surely it could be polished to something that is loads better than what I currently have to look at?

[Mackhopp]

The more I think about this, the more I think about getting it painted. This slow deterioration is painful to watch, not to mention very unsightly. Would anyone happen to have a tried and true paint manufacturer and color # to provide for as shiny a silver color as possible?

If I go the painting route and get brave enough, down the road I may venture into a completely different color, such as that very cool-looking metallic blue one I've seen on the forums. Or maybe a Creamsicle Orange.

[Tltulsa]

Look into aircraft paints. I also know there are aircraft strippers, but they are more toxic, and require additional recovery and disposal effort. I like the idea of paint...there have to be some really good metallic or silver paints that will make her look right!
I'd like to see the results. BTW, another option many have used is painting just the roof, to the first seam, white. This seems to not only defer the clear coat failure, but also keeps the A/S cooler. Good luck.

[Tltulsa]

and you are right, it can be polished, but it might not be a mirror like finish. It will still be sharp, and clearly better than the corrosive look (which we call the fried egg look).