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Old 12-02-2008, 03:20 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
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1949 18' Trailwind
1963 19' Globetrotter
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 151
Images: 15
Polishing a VA '49

I have been reading up on all of the techniques but I have yet to find a thread that focuses on the vintage airstreams. I have a 49 and am finding that the more "modern" techniques don't apply due to the fact that my trailer hasn't been polished since production. Anyhow, has anyone here successfully polished up their vintage airstream and be willing to pass me their notes as far as what was used to breakthrough the heavy oxidation etc. Much appreciated!
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Old 12-02-2008, 06:08 PM   #2
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1965 22' Safari
Salt Lake City , Utah
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 114
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Very cool trailer, what a fun project.

I have a 65 that was pretty heavily oxidized. I used a big jug of cheep polishing compound from a local auto parts store and Scotch-Bright pads.

The polishing compound was mostly a lubricant. I cut the Scotch-Bright pads into about 2" by 3" squares, enough for three fingers. I had a piece foam from an old closed-cell camping pad between the pad and my fingers (cut down abrasion on my fingers and spread the pressure out more evenly).
I kept a spray bottle of water handy and gave a squirt any time the surface started to dry out. KEEP the light to medium, don't push hard. Monitor your progress carefully, you only want to cut through oxidation not into the thin pure aluminum coating that is on the aluminum-alloy skin sheets.
Here are a couple photos of what mine looked like in progress.
I still need to use Nuvite Grade "C" and then "S" to get the final mirror finish. Or not. For now I have other things that are higher on the list.
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Old 12-02-2008, 06:26 PM   #3
1950 Flying Cloud 7039
 
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1950 21' Flying Cloud
Allen , Texas
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 611
I have a 1950 Flying Cloud also heavily oxidized. I have found the directions at Perfect Polish to work just fine. Its not easy or fast. Sorry.
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