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NWGetaways · 03-08-2016, 10:37 AM

I apologize in advance for asking what may seem an obvious question.

I've read about the differences between old (how old?) and newer (how new?) aluminum, and whether it has a satin finish without clearcoat, shiny finish with or without clearcoat, etc. I'm confused!

This Bambi has what appears to me to be peeling/dripping clearcoat in a few places. But I've read that by this model year there was no clearcoat. Maybe a previous owner added clearcoat?

I'm thinking about stripping this panel (the one around the rear window) and attempting a polish. If it works out I'm up for polishing the whole thing.

Thanks!

ROBERT CROSS · 03-08-2016, 12:26 PM

That is peeling clear-coat no doubt about it.

To polish correctly you will need to strip the entire trailer.

Bob

....our 2003 Classic.

NWGetaways · 03-08-2016, 01:49 PM

Thanks. That's what I thought.

badkat · 03-08-2016, 03:19 PM

Read Watson's Wander blog..they just posted doing there 1999 25' and it is beautiful. Info on polishers and polishes. Good luck!

carl2591 · 03-08-2016, 09:10 PM

they have a '99

http://www.watsonswander.com/2016/ai...date-polished/

it looks great but a lot of the old clear coat was removed some time ago on their unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by badkat

Read Watson's Wander blog..they just posted doing there 1999 25' and it is beautiful. Info on polishers and polishes. Good luck!

carl2591 · 03-09-2016, 04:23 PM

can a 2005 be polished or is the alum too poor for that.

NWGetaways · 03-09-2016, 06:07 PM

From my limited understanding - yes it can be polished. It doesn't have the outer layer of pure aluminum that older Airstreams have, so it won't get as mirrored as they will, but it will shine.

badkat · 03-09-2016, 06:56 PM

I hope we can get that shine. Ours is a 1999 28' Excella Classic :-) but our plan is P&S.

Tim A. · 03-09-2016, 07:31 PM

Your 2003 Bambi has the clear coating applied by Alcoa (prior to the pieces being formed by Airstream) and it may be difficult to remove.

Tim

art · 03-10-2016, 04:44 PM

I polished a 77 31 footer 2 times before i sold it it was beautiful but an awful lot of work i will not tackle a job like that again until it really needs it.just sayin,keep her waxed and clean as best you can and they last along time as a rule .ive had my 2004 classic for 8 years now and it looks fine but i give her a quick wax twice a year