Clearcoat Removal

[Qgson]

I have read somewhere that a clear coat remover had been used that you apply
at dusk and hose off at dawn. Does anyone know the name of the product?

[nm1oqrz]

Hello fellow Streamer. When I had my 88 recoated at P&S, in Ohio, they stripped the old clearcoat off with lacquer thinner. I ask Steve how he kept the place from blowing up as the lacquer smell was so strong that it made the eyes water, and he said everybody was especially carefull during the stripdown process. I guess they must be as P&S has been doing airstream for many years.
Happy camping nm1oqrz

[John&Vicki]

Check out this video:

Airstream Planet Polishing Part 2 - Episode 1011

Our Videos - Airstream Caravan - Dressing Room - Hofmann Architecture

Evidently Santa Barbara has perfect weather for dusk application and dawn removal.

Poppy

[Marcello]

I used the Home Depot stripper then used the power washer 30 minutes later. Did individual sections and went pretty quick. The key to it is the power washer.
I started using a plastic scraper etc based on the stripper directions and that took forever. The power washer took about 25 percent of the time.

Good luck!

[Belegedhel]

Citrus strip from the hardware store works fine. "Aircraft Stripper" from the auto parts store is better, but really nasty. The pressure washed helps. 30 minutes is all you need.

[maggieevans]

For years, the "go-to" product was "Removall". No longer made. Now the best product is apparently Eldorado PR-5044. It is sold by Vintage Trailer Supply. And yes, it is the product that you apply at dusk and remove in the AM. Problem is, it is also almost impossible to get. It was being sold in 1 gallon bottles by VTS and a few others, but apparently they can no longer get a supply. It appears that the only way to get it now is in a 5 gallon bucket from a wholesale distributor.

I am planning to do my trailer soon, and have decided to go with an aircraft stripper from a local auto body store. And wear a respirator mask while I apply it!

[Akronguy]

Originally Posted by Marcello

I used the Home Depot stripper then used the power washer 30 minutes later. Did individual sections and went pretty quick. The key to it is the power washer.
I started using a plastic scraper etc based on the stripper directions and that took forever. The power washer took about 25 percent of the time.

Good luck!

I went to Home Depot to buy stripper thinking you were talking about a house brand named Home Depot Stripper. No such thing. WHat was the name of the actual product you bought? Thanks!

[Silver Hawk]

Citrus Strip
Works great, smells great, cheep.

[Marcello]

Originally Posted by Akronguy

I went to Home Depot to buy stripper thinking you were talking about a house brand named Home Depot Stripper. No such thing. WHat was the name of the actual product you bought? Thanks!

Klean-strip is the brand. They also claim to be America's number 1 stripper brand. Who doesn't?

Anyways I apply it with a natural hair brush which works much better than the spray bottle that comes with it. Wait a few minutes per the directions then power wash it off.

Cheers

[streamslave]

It seems that one of my panels have a newer replacement panel... Can newer panels be polished to a mirror finish like the vintage panels?

[cliffy23]

I didn't have good luck Eldorado PR-5044 product. It was too slow and due to how slow it worked it dried out quickly in the Utah sun. Other strippers are more easily available and less expensive as better alternatives. Examples being Citri Strip and Aircraft Stripper.

[Mrhany]

Aircraft Stripper is the ONLY way to go in my opinion! I bought the citrus stuff...no luck! The aircraft stripper worked instantly! Just about finished stripping my 31 footer with this and some plastic putty knives and mineral spirits.

[Akronguy]

Originally Posted by Mrhany

Aircraft Stripper is the ONLY way to go in my opinion! I bought the citrus stuff...no luck! The aircraft stripper worked instantly! Just about finished stripping my 31 footer with this and some plastic putty knives and mineral spirits.

We have 90 % of the clearcoat removed. Aircraft Stripper bought at Advanced Auto Parts here in Akron did the job. Tried citrus stripper and it took forever.

[A W Warn]

I used Citristrip gel, it worked fine. It is a little slow dissolving the finish, but it did not burn my skin. It's non flammable and less volatile, so it is much safer to use and not likely to cause breathing issues. And, it is biodegradable, so not as harmful to the environment as some strippers can be. The only issue I had was that it did not stay wet as advertised, it dries pretty quickly when used outside in the breeze. When it dried I had to apply more stripper to get the first stripper off.

[lakoria]

I bought the stripper at advanced auto today, do I need to scrub at it or just apply then wash off with power washer? Step by step with this product would be great. I looked at forums and there are LOTS of opinions.

[Becky B.]

Spray it, leave it on until it stops bubbling, and wipe it off with paper towels. If you spray it with water & you missed a spot or two, it'll be a mess to clean up before you can go back and get the spots you missed. Go get a big package of Viva paper towels. They don't leave scratch marks like some cheap brands do. Have fun!

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by lakoria

I bought the stripper at advanced auto today, do I need to scrub at it or just apply then wash off with power washer? Step by step with this product would be great. I looked at forums and there are LOTS of opinions.

Application depends on the type of stripper you bought. Follow the instructions written on the package.

What I did using Citristrip: brush a heavy coat of stripper on 5-6 square feet - While waiting until the finish dissolves, do not let the stripper get dry, add more as needed - wipe down the area with paper towels to expose any left on finish - scrub (scrubby pads, tooth picks, and plastic putty knife) the spots that were left while re-applying stripper as needed - wash when the stubborn spots are done.

[AldeanFan]

I just finished stripping my '77 with Smart Strip from Home Depot.

It worked Great, no heavy odor, not too bad on the skin.
Brushed on a light coat which flashed over by the time I got to the end of the trailer, then brushed on a heavier coat over the first. Waited an hour and pressure washed it all off.
A few small spots needed a second application. It was overcast and I think that helped keep it wet longer.

I used 2 gallon pails on my 23' trailer.

[lakoria]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to stripping this weekend!

[Becky B.]

Oh....now you did it.....replies to follow! :-D