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10-04-2002, 11:16 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
Mukilteo
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
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Cleaning Agent (Aluminum Exterior)
I have a travelling 'detail' guy that will come out and clean my whole 32 footer...for $150.00.
I asked him what compound he uses...and he gave me this "recipe"..:
50 % Simple Green
40 % Clorox Bleach
10 % pink boat soap "Algae remover"
Any thoughts on this???? Andy? Jack? Peter? Anyone?
Should Walbernizing be done INSTEAD? AFTERWARD?
Should this recipe be SCRAPPED? Is it redundant if Walbernizing is being used?
............Cat
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10-05-2002, 06:42 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1965 20' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,002
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I would never use Simple Green or Bleach on aluminum. The Simple Green, like Dawn, will strip any wax you have on there now and it WILL discolor aluminum. It is for degreasing.
Plus his percentages on the soup are way to strong.
Use only automotive, clearcoat safe soap (Maguires) and water. Then Walbernize. This is tried and true.
-BobbyWright
__________________
BobbyW
AIR# 123
-"You want to make it two inches - or, if you're working in centimeters, make sure it's enough centimeters for two inches."-Red Green
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10-05-2002, 07:05 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
Mukilteo
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
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Cleaning Agent Recipe
Thank you Bobby..
I THOUGHT so...that's why I asked you guys...I knew someone would be sure enough....& I had a FEELING that's what someone would say.
It's probably a job like my shower... I'm fearing it more than I need to... Is that correct??
My 'tile/wallpaper' advisor/expert told me (about the shower) ..."JUST DO IT"..
Do you have any special instructions for using the McGuire product (like the size to work with before rinsing and drying, etc.?)...
(P.s. that's ALL my son will use on any of our vehicles.)
The "Walbernizing" ... where is the least expensive place tobuy that?
Thanx again
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10-05-2002, 08:42 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
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Cat,
I fly for the military and can assure you that our mechanics stay away from Simple Green and Mean Green, etc. because they are corrosive to aluminum. The military has banned there use on aircraft. On the other hand, Mean Green is the best product I have found to remove the "sticky ceiling syndrome" and Simple Green works too. Have him use Dawn detergent on the skin.
Randy
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10-05-2002, 10:14 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1965 20' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,002
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Only use Dawn if you want to remove all traces of previous wax/Walbernize jobs (and do the dishes) and are preparing to immediately follow-up with a Walbernize treatment.
I would just rather see you use a Clearcoat safe automotive wash. These have lubricants in them to minimize sratches and swirls.
To really be Airstream Politcally Correct, you could use Walbernize's "SoapMaster" or "OneStep". Both designed for Aluminum finishes.
-BobbyWright
__________________
BobbyW
AIR# 123
-"You want to make it two inches - or, if you're working in centimeters, make sure it's enough centimeters for two inches."-Red Green
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10-05-2002, 10:46 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
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Great point Bobby,
I was thinking grime, bug guts, and grease and trying not to damage the Plasticoat or aluminum. Dawn will cut wax products and you are right. Thanks.
Randy
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10-06-2002, 03:29 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
Mukilteo
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
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Washing
Thanx guys,
as I said, my son recommends Mothers products, and McGuires...and he says the McGuires is good.
BTW, Bear's aluminum finish is in VERY GOOD shape, and obviously has the clearcoat in tact. He just didn't get a good wash this past spring, and a bit of algae has built up. The spring before, he was cleaned very good.
Should I do it now? or wait until spring?
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10-06-2002, 01:07 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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I use a mild solution of Armorall car wash I buy at Walmart by the gallon jug. Fairly inexpensive, and my 20 yr old plasticoat looks great. I then wax with liquid non-abrasive car wax, goes on easy and has maintained my shine well. I have used Meguir's and Turtle wax liquids. Happy with both.
You wilol be surprised at how a little wax will shine up that bullet.
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10-06-2002, 08:14 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
Mukilteo
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
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SHINE
<smile>
can't wait...it's like most other projects on these guys (the A/Ss)...we shouldn't sweat it... JUST DO IT! ...
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10-07-2002, 08:33 AM
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#10
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,411
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Quote:
Originally posted by ALANSD
I use a mild solution of Armorall car wash I buy at Walmart by the gallon jug. Fairly inexpensive, and my 20 yr old plasticoat looks great.
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Cat, I also use the Armorall car wash, no petroleum additives and no amonia additives, both no-no's. It seems pretty kind to the Walbernize. I'm going to Walbernize the Safari once I get back from next week's trip to Branson and prior to going into winter storage at month end. It's nice to start off spring with a shiney slick trailer.
Regards,
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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04-16-2004, 07:10 AM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
Beckley
, West Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 5
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Greetings everyone...this is my first attempt to communicate on this forum so please bear with me. I have just purchased a '69 Land Yacht which appears to be in original condition. Well, that's what the seller told me but I have found several stretches in his stories so this is suspect too. My question concerns the exterior aluminum skin. It appears that someone has used silver spray paint in several areas and I would like to know how to remove it. It also has some hail damage showing on the top and I was wondering if one of these "paintless repair" products might work.
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04-16-2004, 09:42 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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citrus strip would remove it , also mineral spirits would probably do the same although maybe more caustic. What you find underneath may be interesting, but if you get it off and see good metal, you can start the polish process right there. Hail damage is tough, the dent wizrd guys might be able to help,though I don't know how they would do on aluminum. That area could be filled and painted silver, but if you hate the silver paint idea the next step is redoing th panel that is dented. If you look at Inland RV's site there are painted trailers on there to view. They look good.
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04-18-2004, 04:54 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
Mukilteo
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 405
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But, don't you have to paint them all over...like a total paint job on a car?
I saw one all creme coloured...it looked fantastic!!! and I saw one all RED...& it looked fantastic!!!
Maybe the person who was painted hers BROWN & creme with black marks to look like slices (loaf of bread?)...
It's all too cutesy for me...but then, whatever floats your Airstream, eh?
Re: The Hail...I read once to use a hair dryer to warm the dent...then use an icecube---and it apparently creates a vacuum which POPS it back out. Sounds too easy to me. ANYONE KNOW IF THIS WORKS?
........I'm gone to post my Curtain Tracks FOR SALE in the Forum of Items For Sale...Finally started understanding my digi camera a little..
......see ya yang.
............Cat
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05-18-2012, 02:13 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Santa Cruz
, California
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
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I was just reading this post because my new (1971 Silverstream) is now in my possession and I notice these tiny white spots all over the aluminum. It has been sitting for 10 years but I don't think the exterior has ever been cleaned other than with water. Could you give me a recommendation on how to remove the white spots/oxidation? and get the aluminum in clean looking condition? I also have a strip of gold on the trailer about 5" wide around the centerline... Thank you...
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05-18-2012, 02:49 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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That is a great cleaning solution for fiberglass, I use a similar concoction on boats, but I would never use it on Aluminum. Way too corrosive.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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05-18-2012, 03:09 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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2 years ago I cleaned the interior panels with a bleach mix called 'Patio Furniture Cleaner'. It did a great job on the plastic fabric laminate aluminum on tthe interior of my '66. When I cleaned that material that lines the inside of the door the door was open. I sprayed that cleaner on and cleaned that up beautifully. BUT When I closed the door I discovered that the overspray landed on the outside aluminum side. 2 years later I am still polishing out the spots.
Neil
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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05-19-2012, 04:08 AM
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#17
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgbyler
I was just reading this post because my new (1971 Silverstream) is now in my possession and I notice these tiny white spots all over the aluminum. It has been sitting for 10 years but I don't think the exterior has ever been cleaned other than with water. Could you give me a recommendation on how to remove the white spots/oxidation? and get the aluminum in clean looking condition? I also have a strip of gold on the trailer about 5" wide around the centerline... Thank you...
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Streamline is the trailer brand.
The exterior skin is not like an Airstream except that both are aluminum. The alloy and thickness are different, and the skin has been anodized (a hardening process) to avoid typical aluminum discoloration, etc.
Search in Vintage Kin on how to clean anodized (and what to avoid).
.
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10-08-2012, 03:21 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
1990 29' Excella
Travelers Rest
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 311
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I'm trying to find something that will take the sticky residue off of the front of my 1990 Excella. Previous owners had their numbers, stars, WB circular decal on the aluminum, and although I got them off, I can't get anything to take off the residue.
Tried soap, then Truck Box Polish, then same with a PC polisher, then mineral spirits, then goo gone and nothing cuts it. Acetone probably would but that is one of my final most drastic choices. Should I go ahead and use paint stripper and take off the remains of the clear coat, would that do it? I don't want to use anything that will pit or damage the aluminum.
+dcasr
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10-08-2012, 03:46 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1982 34' Limited
Brunswick
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,084
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcasr
I'm trying to find something that will take the sticky residue off of the front of my 1990 Excella. Previous owners had their numbers, stars, WB circular decal on the aluminum, and although I got them off, I can't get anything to take off the residue.
Tried soap, then Truck Box Polish, then same with a PC polisher, then mineral spirits, then goo gone and nothing cuts it. Acetone probably would but that is one of my final most drastic choices. Should I go ahead and use paint stripper and take off the remains of the clear coat, would that do it? I don't want to use anything that will pit or damage the aluminum.
+dcasr
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Try a heat gun
__________________
1982 34' Limited
2000 Excursion V10 4x4
WBCCI #3321
TAC #GA-24
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10-08-2012, 05:00 PM
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#20
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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I've seen recommendations of using MEK as a last resort (for your FYI Box, not as first or even second choice).
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