Polishing : 1st step - clearcoat removal

[dufferin]

Hi,
now it's been more than 10 days that I received my removal 220... I have nothing done yet, cause in eastern Can. it's still kind of winter, 50 F max, with rain and all that crap, even snow.
Today it is supose to be 66 F, with sun and cloud so not bad for the first step.
I already tried the product on one trap and I have to say that the removal 220 works just perfect. Aplly it, let it cure and after a while you can even peel it like you could do with your skin after a sun burn, but easier.
So here's my day...
Pictures of the unit as now...
Start apply removal 220...
Pictures...
Peel off...
Pictures...
Wax...
Yep as I don't have yet anything to go on with polishing, like Nuvite or hardware... wax will keep protect the skin...
I am kind of excited as I can see that under the clearcoat the body is quite shinny...

Anyhow thanks for all of you that had post about polishing process. Not only it gave me the taste to do it it will help me to be more efficient.
Have a good day,
BTW it's thursday and I like my AS because I can.

[dufferin]

I was suppose to start today but was delayed. I figured out that my house septic was working bad. I had to dig 6' long, 4' wide, 4' deep.
Fixed a broken pipe, and by the time I added a T plus pipe to hook the trailer.
So now i have full hoop up at home. That is just good because we stay in the AS everyday now.
And it's also comfy if someone want to take advantage of our courtesy parking.
will post pics later.

[dufferin]

I did it.
Removall works great.
I started early in the morning, was a bit too cold, so I ahd to do some touch up. But whan it was warmer the stuff works really well and it doesn't take long. About 20 min. and your ready to wipe it off.
BTW the cleaning is the worst of the process. The high pressure washer remove the product but some of it get stuck on the roof and I had a hard time to clean it up.
The shine is much better. Next step... order everything to polish it.

[eubank]

Ohhhhhh, I'm watching this thread like an eagle after a mouse! (Our 67 needs this done big-time!)

Lynnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[bigeasy63]

Newbie question...how do you know if the older units, 1963, even has a clearcoat left.

Duff, will stay tuned.

Looking forward to pics.

[The Flintstones]

get a rag and some polish and rub, if it turns black, no clearcoat.
James

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

Newbie question...how do you know if the older units, 1963, even has a clearcoat left.

Duff, will stay tuned.

Looking forward to pics.

Well, in the case of our 77 - you can see where it has and has not yet flaked off.

You all have this all wrong, you are taking the hard way to remove the clearcoat. Do like I am doing - grab a beer and sit there and watch it flake off over time by itself. It may take a little longer and a lot more beer but it is WAY easier!

[gretchen]

THE best way to rmove clearcoat is airplane stripper.

Dewayne

[dufferin]

I will post some pics later this week, the weather is so unstable, that I take every sunny day to work outside.
Also we went out for a week for a Rally in Nova Scotia.
We where about 11 trailers, and here's the reaction : "did you change your trailer" "what a shine... you must have spend a lot of hours" "how was the polish process"
So far just without the clearcoat it looks great. It could stay like that but I want the mirror finish or as close as.

BTW I don't know about airplane stripper but really Removal works perfect. I had to do a touch up on the top after a sunny day so the skin was warm and the product started to react instantly.

I live close to the sea and I wanted to protect the now raw aluminum so I did put some wax. I was not to happy with the look as it fade the shine. Then I tried some liquid washer with Teflon and after it dried up I sprayed water. The wax work much better. So I will handle the fade for a while.
I am not ready yet to polish the baby as I don't have yet the hardware.

I hope it will go "fast" as my clearcoat was in good shape so not too much oxidation.
Stay online I'll post pics later.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

Newbie question...how do you know if the older units, 1963, even has a clearcoat left.

With a 1963, unless it was applied later by a PO, you don't have it - never did.

It was first an "Option" on California built trailers in 1964...our's had it. It then became "standard" I believe in '65 on trailers from both factories. On the original bill of sale it cost $19 to add it to our 19' trailer (a buck a foot)...I spent twice that on the stripper alone ~

Shari

[dufferin]

I ordered today my stuff to go on with my project.
I wanted to purchase a polisher from Harbor Freight but they don't seem to ship in Canada... I send them an email... in case they can do something.
I know I have to post pics about what I have done...

[dufferin]

ok,
I received everything yesterday form perfectpolish...
some before pics are done...
I am kind of excited, but in a way worried that it won't work... like a bad nightmare... everybody around you make a perfect polish finish and you're the only one with no result at all...
I know I am late for pics but lots of differents things didn't allow me to post them before...
So may be tonight... some first shots.

[dufferin]

I started one panel the front bottom one...
it works...
small coffee break, I took some pics...
see ya...
it takes time...

[dufferin]

now it's time to post pictures of what was done today....

As every polisher already stated, it's a hard job... Kill your arms shoulder back... but it looks so good after few minute on a small area that you want to keep goin'
So far I did the bottom door side from front to rear panel... in an all day. I could have kept goin' but I am dead.
I used a right angle polisher with nuvite C and F7 depending on the damage on the skin.

So here's the job.

PS : I run low on propane I'll be back in 30 min

[dufferin]

Here some more pics.
View with awning reflexion before and after.
One side polished, not the other,
here's my hand... pretty dark.

i don't know where the pics are

[dufferin]

hope it works

[rmpray]

Hmmm, now that is looking pretty slick! I've been trying Bittercup's method but running out of beer. Guess I need to get stripper. I am thinking it might be cool to strip the box on my ambulance to match. I suspect the alum. box may not take a shine depending on the aluminium, but it might pull together well. Would help my tow vehicle look a bit less like an ambulance
dufferin...ya done good!

[bigeasy63]

Cool buff, Duff. (It looks tuff, ok that's e'nuff) Great job on the AS. Great pics too!

[mello mike]

I think it's time for an update!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by dufferin

here's my hand... pretty dark.

That'll keep it from getting sunburned! Does your face look the same?

Shari