Can a 1980 Caravelle be Polished?

[glacierrunne]

I think it can but want to hear from the gang. The Caravelle was clear coated in 2000 and needs attention. This Spring I want to strip off the clear coat and polish it with Nuvite. It is a 20 footer and starting with G6 to S grit, best Guess how much of each should I buy? Thanks, Don Witulski

[Levon]

Yes, you can polish the later models. The shine is not quite as deep and rich as the 40's,50's and 60's because of the different metal used.

Good luck with your polishing!

Best Regards,
Levon

[dlb435]

Back in the day, before clear coated Airstream skins, you were supposed to wash and wax your trailer every month. Once a week if you were near the ocean. With clear coating, the time between wash and wax is now six months.
There are several companies that specialize in stripping and clear coating Airstreams. They will strip the surface and re-polish if needed. Most charge by the foot to polish the trailer. The cost can vary a great deal depending on how much work you want done and how oxidized the surface is.
If you still want to polish the trailer, first you will have to strip the clear coat off with aircraft paint stripper. Then you can polish it. Then you can wash and wax often.

[tkasten]

Yes you can stripe & polish your AS. I just did my 65 22' Safari last fall. I used 1 gal. of Napearer(sp) stripper. I used 1 & half 16oz. jars of Nuvite F7 and 1 16oz. jar of Nuvite S......Tim

[Bowmans]

We have a 1979 (close to your 1980) we just stripped and polished this summer using Nuvite F7 (compounding), then S (cyclo). This is how it turned out:

[Mackhopp]

woo - nice and shiny! Looks great.

[Bowmans]

Thanks! It was so rewarding polishing it and seeing the results right away... feeling like we brought it back for a second life. She seemed to be gloating to the neighbors when it was all done

[Levon]

Here is a 85 that I polished 2 years ago and because it never had an awning put on it, we decided to add a pole awning.

[glacierrunne]

The '79 and '85 looks great! I can't wait until I get my little 20 footer looking like that! Thanks guys, Don

[Bowmans]

Nice polish and I love the awning Levon!