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Shan · 03-23-2010, 10:59 PM

Hi all:

We have a 1955 Flying Cloud that I'm polishing. The problem I'm having is the skin has heavy oxidization and pitting in a lot of areas. I'm finding it's taking a lot of time polishing the spots out. Does anyone have any ideas or magic solutions other than replacing the skin? I'm hoping for a magic formula that wipes on wipes off. (I'm dreaming)

Any help would be great. Thank you

Shan

InsideOut · 03-23-2010, 11:28 PM

Have you checked out the polishing forum? There are lots of great methods, tips & tricks...unfortunately, none of them are quite as simple as "wipe on, wipe off".

We used the Perfect Polish (Nuvite) compounder method on our first trailer, our '64 GlobeTrotter (my avatar). We're using the rouge bar method with our second trailer, our '56 Safari. Both are finished up with the Cyclo Polisher & "Nuvite S".

Shari

Shan · 03-24-2010, 06:57 PM

Thank you Shari, I will look into it

Thanks

bwaysteve · 03-28-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan

Hi all:

We have a 1955 Flying Cloud that I'm polishing. The problem I'm having is the skin has heavy oxidization and pitting in a lot of areas. I'm finding it's taking a lot of time polishing the spots out. Does anyone have any ideas or magic solutions other than replacing the skin? I'm hoping for a magic formula that wipes on wipes off. (I'm dreaming)

Any help would be great. Thank you

Shan

I am having the same problem.Mostly corrosion around the rub rails and where the emblems are mounted.I am using the bar method.After 6 passes it removes most but still alot there.I hate to wet sand.and suggestions?

InsideOut · 03-30-2010, 12:40 PM

We had to lightly wet-sand the front panel on our '64 because it had pretty severe road rash pits...you can see pics here. We didn't have the crusty/flakey white kind of corrosion though, just pits with raised edges like moon craters. So far we haven't had to do that on our '56 - it's in better shape in that regard.

The white crusty corrosion is more like a cancer...it eats out the skin. Pretty hard to polish through that.

Shari

Shan · 04-02-2010, 01:04 AM

Thanks Shari
I will try wet sand and see how it works out.

Shan

InsideOut · 04-02-2010, 07:22 AM

I'm anxious to see how it works out for you...just do as little as possible to achieve the results - don't over do it or you'll go through the Alclad layer and have bigger issues to deal with. We used 3M Ultra Fine 1000 grit color sand paper and literally just lightly took the edges off the pits. Keep in mind the sand paper causes scratches that later have to be remove so the fewer & lighter the better! We only did it as a last resort - fortunately the results were exactly what we needed. Good luck!

Shari

bwaysteve · 04-03-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaysteve

I am having the same problem.Mostly corrosion around the rub rails and where the emblems are mounted.I am using the bar method.After 6 passes it removes most but still alot there.I hate to wet sand.and suggestions?

Today I removed my AIRSTREAM emblem on front of the 65.It has a thin metal frame around it.It was the worst of the corrosion( maybe another 10yrs. a hole)Wondering if after I clean up and remount the emblem I was thinking about using Vulkem with the new rivets(a given).Should I also do the top and sides underneath with butyl tape and leave the bottom open as you would do a marker light to let out moisture?

AIR-Quarius · 04-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan

Hi all:

We have a 1955 Flying Cloud that I'm polishing. The problem I'm having is the skin has heavy oxidization and pitting in a lot of areas. I'm finding it's taking a lot of time polishing the spots out. Does anyone have any ideas or magic solutions other than replacing the skin? I'm hoping for a magic formula that wipes on wipes off. (I'm dreaming)

Any help would be great. Thank you

Shan

You are not going to find a wipe on wipe off product in this life time. However you can cut to the chase with a product called 'Gravel in a Bottle' made by 3m company...google it. It is a no nonsense liquid compound creme that stays wet long enough to knock out the crud and oxidation. It is around fourteen dollars for a LARGE bottle (your going to love that) just remember to remove all the black afterwords before going on to polish with something like mothers aluminum polish. Continue on with your mission and don't give up EVER! Bill

PS Alclad too and have not yet even begun to go thru it...it's thicker than you think for that year model.

Jim Foster · 04-03-2010, 07:31 PM

Just finished a polishing session on our Caravel. When I first polished it, a number of years ago, I went absolutely nuts, making sure that every little corner, every little pit, every spot was perfect.

Guess what? This is not a Bugatti Royale headed to Pebble Beach. It's an old Airstream with pits, dings, scrapes and assorted blemishes. This time it will look very nice, but perhaps not perfect.

It's a travel trailer folks. Don't make yourselves crazy trying to make it "Street Rod Perfect". It's not going to happen. Use it and enjoy!

bwaysteve · 04-03-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

Just finished a polishing session on our Caravel. When I first polished it, a number of years ago, I went absolutely nuts, making sure that every little corner, every little pit, every spot was perfect.

Guess what? This is not a Bugatti Royale headed to Pebble Beach. It's an old Airstream with pits, dings, scrapes and assorted blemishes. This time it will look very nice, but perhaps not perfect.

It's a travel trailer folks. Don't make yourselves crazy trying to make it "Street Rod Perfect". It's not going to happen. Use it and enjoy!

Just into my fourth day of my 1st cut with gray bar.It occurred to me to look at those 50 yr. old dings as beauty marks.Thanks for the reminder!

AIR-Quarius · 04-09-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan

Hi all:

We have a 1955 Flying Cloud that I'm polishing. The problem I'm having is the skin has heavy oxidization and pitting in a lot of areas. I'm finding it's taking a lot of time polishing the spots out. Does anyone have any ideas or magic solutions other than replacing the skin? I'm hoping for a magic formula that wipes on wipes off. (I'm dreaming)

Any help would be great. Thank you .

Shan

Here's a picture of that 3M product--you can order online