Car Wax on Airstream?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by glacierrunne

I use Meguiar's GOLD CLASS liquid car wax on my cars and really like it. Is there any problem using it on my 1980 Caravelle? Thanks, Don

well don, if there is any plasticcoat left on the 80s trailer....use whatever you want!

the plasticoat on that vintage had more 'plasticizers' in it so using the original walbernize.....is the ticket.....
since it is high in plasticizers.....
which is supposed to help...
but it will not be very shinny....
if the plasticoat is 20+ years old regardless.....
is that the original application or has it been recoated?

on newer 'alcoa' applied' clearcoat trailers any car wax is fine.....
for those of you that like meguiars products......
i've been using their polymer sealant product.....
looks great on silver and the last application has 8-9 months on it and still looks fresh.....

the silicone/siloxianes in modern auto wax will not hurt clearcoat or plastic coat....

cheers
2air'

[PWRSTRK]

So what do you use, or think is safe, for late-model clearcoated A/Ss?

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Be careful what you use if you trailer is still clearcoated.
Some of the waxes are high in silicone and can interact with the clearcoat, softening over time. Leads to peeling.

[glacierrunne]

2air', My Caravelle was recoated in 1996, but is peeling again. Since I bought a bottle of Walbernize I will use it and then decide my next move. The roof is really peeling so I'll give it a second coat in a few days, but the sides look fine with the first time over.Thanks Gang for all the input---I would still like to hear about Turtle Wax "Ice", Don

[scottanlily]

Inside out posted in another thread some waxing info from her 63 owners manual and in addition to the now not available glass wax ,It did talk about car wax as a good idea for protection ,didn't say walbernize .But then it is a
product used on airstreams in the past .Most car waxes I have used never attack any clear coat that i know of ,mothers,meguires ,etc. especially
are of very high quality .High tech yellow wax ,or banana wax its sometimes called ,kinda smells like it , is very good and easy to use.

Scott

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Be careful what you use if you trailer is still clearcoated.
Some of the waxes are high in silicone and can interact with the clearcoat, softening over time. Leads to peeling.

I have just started using a wax product from Eagle One called Nanowax - in a spray bottle. It is absolutely spectacular on our car and truck. We are about to take delivery of a new 2008 AS and wanted to see if anyone thought Nanowax would be appropriate for the AS. Ingredients include water, Ethylene Glycol and Glycol Ether. Any help appreciated!

[2airishuman]

hi nilesrob

any wax that is safe for auto clearcoats is safe on the alcoa clearcoat.

the issue is how often do you wanna wax it?

my preference is for a polysealant because they last so much longer and are more resistant to washing...

so IF i took delivery on a new unit tomorrow...

-i'd instruct the dealer NOT to wash it (they will not be as careful as i)

-wash, solvent, clay and wash again. now it's really clean.

-apply 2 coats of a poly sealant like meguair's #20 or 21, menzerna fmj, or klasse poly sealant.

there are others too.

the nano wax spray or carnanuba waxes can be applied OVER the sealants for extra shine if desired.

these waxes only last a few weeks. the sealants can last up to a year depending on conditions.

imo these poly sealants are the ONLY way to prevent/delay the inevitable corrosion issue.

and they look great too!

cheers
2air'

[CA Streamer]

I like the Walbernize. Easy to apply and lasts long time. I apply twice a year...spring and fall.

[wheel interested]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

...
so IF i took delivery on a new unit tomorrow...

-i'd instruct the dealer NOT to wash it (they will not be as careful as i)

-wash, solvent, clay and wash again. now it's really clean.

-apply 2 coats of a poly sealant like meguair's #20 or 21, menzerna fmj, or klasse poly sealant.

2air'

Hi 2Air,

solvent, clay??? I bought some Meguiars and watched the video. What's this about solvent and clay? I don't know what solvent but I do have some clay in a can that came with some pink finisher's spray, do you do the entire surface and how?
Thanks

P.S. when do i do something with corrosion treatment in this scheme of things? What a beauty regiment!!! I truly think Brad needs to help on this. Yep, for sure.

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by glacierrunne

Uwe, I bought some Walbernize and tried it on a small spot and didn't shine up the area much so I'd thought I'd try my wax and see if it looks better. I see turtle wax has a new product called ICE, I'll wait and see the results from other memebers. Thanks, Don

Don,
Walbernize was never meant to shine, only to clean and protect the finis of a an Airstream unit..
Just to set the record straight..

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

...solvent, clay??? I bought some Meguiars and watched the video. What's this about solvent and clay?...

hi carol

yep brad needs to help!!

after washing touch the surface with your hand...

does it feel really smooth or bumpy?

IF it's bumpy, you r feeling mineral deposits or tar or other crap bonded to the surface.

waxing OVER that stuff means you might scratch the clearcoat....

so use something to dissolve or remove the rough stuff...

solvents can dissolve the tar but clay works too...

i use both.

yep i clayed the entire trailer.....once.

after all the crap was removed and it felt 'like butter', that's when to apply a good wax/sealant x2...

here is another thread with links on using clay...

removing hard water deposits

cheers
2air'

as for the corrosion treatment, that would be appled before the wax//sealant...

and JUST on the small spots of corrosion...

[raveson]

I put Ice on my 345 three weeks ago. The shine is excellent and only took me half the time to apply as liquid wax. Hope it will last. At present it look great!

[wheel interested]

Thanks 2AIR!

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi carol

yep brad needs to help!!


cheers
2air'

as for the corrosion treatment, that would be appled before the wax//sealant...

and JUST on the small spots of corrosion...

I'm all about helping! Quite frankly, we wouldn't mind seeing ANYONE's AS in our driveway right about now...

[wheel interested]

Wow, two Brads, and twice the help and a driveway to do it, now that's an offer I wouldn't refuse, if Georgia wasn't that far away!

But just in case...when did you say your Airstream Shine On Rally is? I'll bring the beer and the microfiber.