Order Walbernize?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by tsunami

I washed one of my stone guards and used the walbernizer on a small area. I'm not to impressed, looked like it streaked and was hard to work with...

carmuba wax on a small area to see what happens. Has anyone tried this?

hi tsunami...

mothers does make good products and their waxes do work nicely on the clearcoated aluminum skin....

my primary complaint with mothers caranuba wax is durability....

it doesn't survive many washings or full time outdoor living....

and it takes a loooooong time to wax a 34....

the segment protectors are brushed stainless steel...

so virtually all wax products will streak and buff un-evenly...

some folks use stainless appliance sprays like zep and other companies offer...

these aerosols have a mineral oil base so using them will provide some shine and cut any road tar deposits...

but ANY topping on brushed stainless is problematic.

i've had the best results on the stainless segment protectors using solvents/cleaners only....

my favorite is 3m general purpose adhensive remover, product 08984...

this solvent works very well and removes wax, tar, silicone and greases...

don't forget to wash them with soap first.

once the stainless is clean, the shine is naturally great without any wax topping....

wear gloves and change rags frequently and ventilate well...

cheers
2air'

[tsunami]

For those in the US, I was told that WalMart carrys Walbernize. I don't know that to be true.

Dave



Been to quite a few Wally Worlds and have never seen Walbernizer on their shelf.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by tsunami

For those in the US, I was told that WalMart carrys Walbernize. I don't know that to be true.

Been to quite a few Wally Worlds and have never seen Walbernizer on their shelf.

The WalMart's in New England don't carry it. I had to purchase it at an RV store.

[cosmotini]

In Australian Wal-Marts can you get Wallabernize?

Originally Posted by tsunami

For those in the US, I was told that WalMart carrys Walbernize. I don't know that to be true.

Dave



Been to quite a few Wally Worlds and have never seen Walbernizer on their shelf.

[BillTex]

Originally Posted by cosmotini

In Australian Wal-Marts can you get Wallabernize?

Wombaterize; glaze/polish/ceiling wax/desert topping...

BTW, just received my Walb from Vintage, great service as usual...

Haven't started on the outside yet, but got a good start cleaning the inside this past weekend.

Bill

[SilverGate]

Pat (starflyte1) --

Thanks for starting this thread…

Which elicited much good info and advice…

Which helped me with my first cleaning & waxing job,
Illustrated with photos, comments and links at:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396/silvergates-safari-home-last-29471-13.html
(starting with post #181 on page 13)

BTW, a belated Congratulations! On your new 2007 23’ Safari SE!

-- SilverGate

[VintageRV]

Hey folks,

This is a great thread. A few years ago I was focused on the issue of which Walbernize we should be selling. We were selling both Walbernize Cleaner Polish & Glaze and Walbernize RV Superseal. Those are the two products Airstream was recommending at the time.

I tried to extract the reason from Airstream's technical folks about WHY they recommend Cleaner Polish & Glaze for older trailers and RV Super Seal for newer trailers, but no one could tell me why. I tried to ask a few different people at the factory over time but I never got much further than effectively "That's the way it is listed in the book."

I don't pretend to be an expert on plasticoats and Walbernize, so I asked two people I thought might have a better answer. First I spoke with the owner of ASTEC. They make Walbernize. I also spoke with Bill McIntyre (sp?) who developed the first few plasticoats for Airstream and who still recoats Airstreams in Oregon (at least he did when I spoke to him at the time). Bill's got some great stories of working as a lot boy in the 1950s at an Airstream dealer where the trailers would oxidize before they could sell them... but I digress...

Both my expert sources agreed that you should not use the old Walbernize Cleaner Polish & Glaze on plasticoated trailers of any year. It has an abrasive in it that is not appropriate for a plasticoated trailer. They both recommended Walbernize RV Super Seal for all Airstream plasticoats of all years.

As to whether Walberinze RV Super Seal is superior to other products on the market, I can't say. However, it is recommended by Airstream and it is super easy to use. You wipe it on with a clean cotton cloth by hand. Then use a car buffer, to buff it off. You can buff it off by hand, too, but it won't be quite as highly polished when you are finished. The important thing is to do something non-abrasive regulary to protect and preserve your plasticoat for as long as possible.

See you down the road!

[2airishuman]

the info you have collected may be right for PRE 1999 plasticoat, plasti-kote trailers....

Originally Posted by VintageRV

...However, it is recommended by Airstream and it is super easy to use...

i don't care for any of the walb' products.

yes they go on/off easily but that's about it.

as an old trailer vendor i'd likely carry 2 of their products...

the superseal for older trailers..

and the permaguard for newer (99 up) units...

permaguard poop sheet...

while a/s may recommend the walb' products for older trailers,

they DO NOT for newer than 99.

the owners manuals specifically notes: "any quality auto wax"

and as far back as 2002 (here) the HEADDOG OF THE WARRANTY/CLAIMS DEPARTMENT has confirmed this...

Originally Posted by JPAIRSTREAM

............"How do I clean the aluminum exterior of my Airstream?

For units with clear-coated aluminum we recommend washing the exterior about very 4 weeks or as needed. Wax with a non-abrasive mild wax in the spring and fall. Use a clean, soft cloth and always rub lightly with the grain of the aluminum. "...

the faq section at the a/s home site continues to make this 'any wax' recommendation...

now i've got 2 questions for YOU vintageRV...

-do you stock any version of the older plasticoat finish?

-and if so WHO MAKES IT?

cheers
2air'

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

while a/s may recommend the walb' products for older trailers,
they DO NOT for newer than 99.

Hmmmm...I have a 2002 trailer and Airstream recommended Walburnizer to me. I have been using it for years with no problems.

[2airishuman]

where is that beat the horse dead emoticon?

Originally Posted by yukionna

... Airstream recommended Walburnizer to me....

is that a person, place or thing?

what is in your owners manual?

and what is noted on their website?

Airstream, Inc :: FAQ

see misc q/a above...

my point is YOU can decide what is a more official recommendation...

-their own printed materials, the owners manual, website and warranty boss...

-or what someone at the dealership or answering a phone suggests?

really i'm happy u like walb', i'd be glad to send you my 2 quarts!

cheers
2air'

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

where is that beat the horse dead emoticon?

Don't need it...its already there -- to err is human!

[VintageRV]

2air and others,

Airstream updated their advice to effectively rule out the Walbernize Cleaner Polish & Glaze with its abrasive. Good move.

I'm sure there are many good non-abrasive auto waxes, including Walbernize RV Superseal. Even for older plasticoats, I think that products other than Walbernize RV Superseal would be fine.

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

now i've got 2 questions for YOU vintageRV...

-do you stock any version of the older plasticoat finish?

-and if so WHO MAKES IT?

cheers

We don't carry the older plasticoat finish, but I know a lot of our customers are curious about it. I don't know who makes it but a few years ago you could buy it from Airstream dealers. Might still be true.

Even the recoaters who do it all the time will the Airstream-provided product only warranty their work for one or two years. It's a problem and more work needs to be done on it.

When you say "older," by the way, there are a few different formulas through the years. My experience is that the 1970s plasticoat was probably the best in terms of longevity. But from what I was told those older lacquer coats would not be approved today because of the chemicals used in them. I know of at least one re-coater who makes his own homebrew in a barrel in his shop. But I don't know if I'd recomend that!

We've been experimenting a little with a new product that might work over time, but haven't been able to test it on a trailer over time, yet. I'm probably going to use my own 1956 Caravanner as an experiment starting this fall after I polish it to a high shine.

[doorgunner]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

where is that beat the horse dead emoticon?




cheers
2air'

enjoy the beating

[Inland RV Center, In]

Walbernize Super Seal, is as popular today as it ever was.

We sell 300 to 400 quarts, every year.

Andy

[jcanavera]

As part of pre delivery prep our local dealer uses Walbernize Super Seal on every trailer he sells. The biggest concern I have regarding waxing the trailer is the abrasives that many popular waxes have in them. I'm no authority on waxes and I'm sure there are some good ones out there, you aren't going to hurt the Alcoa finish with Super Seal.

Jack

[2airishuman]

a quality automotive wax/sealant will have ZERO or near zero abrasives...

i've found NO written/printed recommendation from alcoa or a/s related to using walb products for the modern clearcoated skin.

the notation in post #28 is from a factory employee who posts here.

again DIRECTLY from the a/s owners manual...
_______________________
After cleaning and drying, a good grade of nonabrasive automotive paste or liquid wax will increase the life of the finish,
especially in coastal areas where the finish is exposed to salt air or in polluted industrial areas.

It will also protect the shell from minor scratches and make subsequent cleaning easier.

It is important to remove sap, gum, resin, asphalt, etc. as soon as possible after they appear by washing and waxing.
Sunlight and time will bake-harden these materials making them almost impossible to remove without heavy buffing.
If a substance is found on the coating that cannot be removed by normal washing procedures,
Airstream recommends using DX 330 Acryli-Clean made by PPG Industries.
Follow all directions and warnings on the product container.
Acryli-Clean should be used by trained personnel only, using the proper equipment under controlled conditions.
Use the Acryli-Clean as sparingly as possible to remove glue, tar, and other similar substance.
Rinse with cool water immediately after use.

To keep your trailer looking new, paint the “A’ frame, LPG tanks, and rear frame periodically.
The Limited option includes gold plated medallions. Use mild soap and water on a soft cotton cloth to clean.
Gold is a soft metal and will scratch,
If that doesn’t not work, use a mild metal polish such as PEAK METAL POLISH applying lightly with a clean soft cotton cloth.

It is recommended that the caulking and sealant used in external seams and joints such as end shell segments
and around window frames, light bezels, beltline and rub rail molding, etc. be checked regularly.
If this material has dried out and become cracked or checked, or if a portion has fallen out,
it should be replaced with fresh material to prevent possible rain leaks.
Caulking and sealing material is available from your Airstream dealer.
Precautions should be taken to prevent excessive sealant from getting on the coated surfaces.
Remove excessive sealant before it cures using DX 330 Acryli-Clean made by PPG Industries as explained above...
______________________________

NOWHERE do they include the term walbernize...

it is a cleaner, POLISH, and glaze, NOT a wax.

it does and will produce fine lines, swirl marks IN the alcoa clearcoat.

for a 'one-product-does-a-little-of-everything-but-nothing-very-good' it fits some owners needs.

i looked closely at your st louis dealer prep'd units at the rv show last week...

THEY ALL LOOKED LIKE CRAP. indoors, clean, dressed for the party and every one of them covered with fine scratches...

they also had corrosion ('08) on many of the aluminum bits, so walb' doesn't seem to help with that issue either...

any long exchange on these cosmetics, becomes like tires, oil, religion and so on. along with some sales pitches.

IF ya wanna wax a new unit go back and read the 'how to' in post #26 it's a good showntell too!

or scan some of these...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/481374-post8.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...ing-35952.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...its-36047.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...eam-23641.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441...wax-32816.html

but hey, the horse is dead, so who cares how ya dress it...

cheers
2air'

Originally Posted by VintageRV

... My experience is that the 1970s plasticoat was probably the best in terms of longevity. But from what I was told those older lacquer coats would not be approved today because of the chemicals used in them...

this seems to be true, steve and it's good to see a friendly vendor with products folks want, posting here...

i really like the adverts in a/s life from you guys!

Originally Posted by doorgunner

enjoy the beating

YEAH! that's the one 'gunner, now where is that 'poke it with a stick emoticon?

[stefle]

Here's a silly question, maybe. I just got my '03 22' International Airstream and want to clean it. Do people get up on top of their units when washing and polishing? With ladders? Where is it safe to put your weight when on top? Are there people who will do this for you in Northern California? Thanx!
Stephani

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by stefle

Here's a silly question, maybe. I just got my '03 22' International Airstream and want to clean it. Do people get up on top of their units when washing and polishing? With ladders? Where is it safe to put your weight when on top?...

hi stephani and welcome to the forums...

VERY COOL that u'd find a relevant thread to post your question/s into...
__________

one CAN get topside with ladders,

and providing your weight is KEPT OFF the end caps...

one can navigate round ON THE RIVET LINES (that's where the ribs are)

just stay OFF the end caps.

washing means soap/suds and SLICKERINESS, so again be careful

it' might b best to wash/dry via a ladder and long handle...

then AFTER DRY attempt climbing as needed.

here's a picture of some of the process (see ~ posts #182-188)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396...tml#post405596

Originally Posted by stefle

...Are there people who will do this for you in Northern California?...i

well SURE there r...

and they're called illegal a....assistants, yeah assistants!



seriously, many detail shops will DO a trailer,

in fact some MOBILE detailers will come 2 the trayla...

but wherez the fun in that?
_________

with a 7-8 year old stream it's a really good idea to INSPECT the sealants on the top...

around EVERYTHING that's got a hole/cut out or other reason 4 a pile of goop.

these sealants WILL eventually need to be replaced to stave off leaks.

and i'm SURE u can find some really good threads on THAT TOPIC too..

cheers
2air'

[tpi]

I wash my roof with a long telescoping brush (Walmart, Target etc.) which attaches to the hose. I stand on a ladder and can reach across the roof. I do not attempt to dry the roof, only the sides of the trailer.

Occasionally it builds up dirt deposits which won't come off with the telescoping brush. I get on roof and clean it by hand. I usually time that job with other jobs which take me on the roof. Such as replacing the roof vent covers, AC shroud, skylight, sealants, etc. When on roof do not step on the end caps.

With that treatment, the roof looks decent when viewed from second story window. My main point of cleaning the roof is to keep dirt deposits from running down the side of the trailer in dew or light rain. Also living in a hot climate I want the roof to be as clean and white as possible.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi stephani and welcome to the forums...

VERY COOL that u'd find a relevant thread to post your question/s into...
__________

one CAN get topside with ladders,

and providing your weight is KEPT OFF the end caps...

one can navigate round ON THE RIVET LINES (that's where the ribs are)

just stay OFF the end caps.

washing means soap/suds and SLICKERINESS, so again be careful

it' might b best to wash/dry via a ladder and long handle...

then AFTER DRY attempt climbing as needed.

here's a picture of some of the process (see ~ posts #182-188)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396...tml#post405596



well SURE there r...

and they're called illegal a....assistants, yeah assistants!



seriously, many detail shops will DO a trailer,

in fact some MOBILE detailers will come 2 the trayla...

but wherez the fun in that?
_________

with a 7-8 year old stream it's a really good idea to INSPECT the sealants on the top...

around EVERYTHING that's got a hole/cut out or other reason 4 a pile of goop.

these sealants WILL eventually need to be replaced to stave off leaks.

and i'm SURE u can find some really good threads on THAT TOPIC too..

cheers
2air'

Hi Stephani,

Ditto what 2air' said...

Especially about using a ladder and long handle (brush).

Of course, an overseeing flamingo couldn't hurt!

More here: Wash, wax and treat