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kneal · 05-03-2007, 10:30 AM

I have a 73 Safari that I just finished the interior restoration on and now I want to polish. The exterior Plastikote is nearly 100% intact and in superb condition. I really am wanting the polished look even though the condition is so good.

So my question is:

Once I remove the plastikote, will I still need to use both the disk polisher and the cyclo process since I don't have any oxidation? Could I not just jump to the cyclo? Also if I do have to use both tools, since I don't have any oxidized areas, what compounds should I start with?

Thanks in advance...

Kevin

InsideOut · 05-03-2007, 10:42 AM

Here's the deal...the aluminum used on the 70's models and newer models has a slight grain to it, at least more than the earlier years. If you are going after the mirror shine, you'll have to flatten out the grain through compounding first. To do that, you will need to compound with the coarser grades then work your way through them to the cyclo polisher and the final polishing grade 'S'.

If you just want to polish up the aluminum without removing the grain, you can go straight to the cyclo. However, I think you will find that the polish stays in the grain and looks splotchy & dirty. I'm not exactly sure...our '64 has the older aluminum and our '56 hasn't been polished yet. I just know it can be done - there's lots of shiney 70's and younger trailers - but I believe it is a little more work than with the older aluminum that doesn't have as much grain to it.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Shari

kneal · 05-03-2007, 10:57 AM

So could I start out with Nuvite C or would I have to go to F7?

53flyingcloud · 05-03-2007, 11:30 AM

Kneal,
Since your condition is excellent. I'd try compounding with Nuvite grade that has the least of grits. Experiment on a small area that's easy to handle and work with for judging the results. BTW, Keep the S grade for the final cyclo polish step..As in all polishing efforts..Don't be afraid to try something different. What I would say to you here is..You want to learn to read the metal and, the fastest way to do that is by trial on a sample piece first.(If this is your first ever polishing efforts.) GOOD LUCK to you.

Boondocker · 05-03-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kneal

So could I start out with Nuvite C or would I have to go to F7?

Im in the process of my first polishing, here is what I recomend: get some F7 and some C. If there is any pitting use the F7, where it is simply grey instead of shiny give the C a shot. I would use your disk polisher for both. I also suggest buying several wool bonnets, you are going to need them. Keep us posted.

kneal · 05-03-2007, 11:43 AM

So for a 23 Foot, how much should I buy to start with...the 1LB or the 1/2LB?

Chuck · 05-03-2007, 11:51 AM

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

'73 must have been a good year for clear-coat, as mine still looks great, too. (and...it lived in FL for a while, making its condition even more amazing!)

It would be one thing if it was looking like crap...but to go through all that work...work that never really ends, btw, ...when you've already got a decent looking trailer...well, no thanks.

My wife just mentioned to me that just the other day, as she was backing it into a parking spot, someone commented on how nice it looked, and asked if it had been "polished".

"nope...hasn't even been "washed".

kneal · 05-03-2007, 11:54 AM

I know I am crazy, but that is what attracted me to the Airstream in the first place. To me, there is nothing like a polished trailer. I know it will require maintenance and will be a lot of work, but I think for me personally, it will provide me some satisfaction. I am getting bored now that I have completed the interior and my wife won't let me buy another one.

I know what you are saying though and I questioned myself as well for a while, but I want the polished look.

I have also got some tambour doors for you so leave me alone

and support me....

bimpy · 05-03-2007, 02:00 PM

Kneal
There are so many polishes out there and and so many people with different results with all of them, here's mine.
My 74 29ft Ambassador had way above average clear coat when I purchased it over a year ago. I'm like you, I like a shiny trailer so I "stripped her off". As expected, there was little oxidation to contend with. I used Gord's Aluminum Polish. Worked great! I use this polish on wheels and tanks on a dump truck which is in severe elements on a daily basis and it lasts easily 8-10 months. The best thing about Gord's is that it is a polisher/sealer,water will bead up on it after many washings.
I polished my trailer in a little over 70 hours minus the wheels. One thing I did not notice was the grain in the aluminum as mentioned in one of the replies above. I don't disagree,just didn't notice it on my trailer.
I posted some photos in the March photo contest if you want to look. Unfortunately, there are no photos of the "before" pictures.
You can find Gord's at Gord's Home. I've tried every polish there is and this is the only one I will use on anything. I'm sure there will be some detractors out there but like I said earlier this is just another experience and I wanted to share it with others.

Fyrzowt · 05-03-2007, 02:08 PM

My '72 polished up nice, it's my understanding that the change in aluminum was done later on. You should be fine.
I wouldn't think you'd need to go more coarse than "C" Nuvite due to your lack of corrosion. Then use the "S" or whatever. Due to the lower cost, I decided to try Mothers polish after the "C" and got good results.
Good luck with it, post photos!
Dave

Fyrzowt · 05-03-2007, 02:11 PM

The Gords link above does not work, here's one that does.

Gord's Home

bimpy · 05-03-2007, 02:19 PM

Oops! Thanks for the correction Mel

Fyrzowt · 05-03-2007, 02:22 PM

Bimpy,
That site lists a couple of methods. Did you use a mechanical polisher?
Dave

InsideOut · 05-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

My '72 polished up nice, it's my understanding that the change in aluminum was done later on.

Could be...I'm not as familiar with trailers with the "newer" vintage models (>'68). Like I said there are lots of shiney post-'70 trailers, some of their owners have chimed in here. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Shari

balrgn · 05-03-2007, 05:59 PM

I have polished my 75 Trade Wind, you can check out how I did it with this link. I could not get below the finish with F7, I used a 3 M product first pass.

Polishing the Campers

If you have any questions, PM me

Here is a pic taken today. Doing some touch up. Ahhhh Spring

Chuck · 05-04-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kneal

...I have also got some tambour doors for you so leave me alone

and support me....

Deal!!

bimpy · 05-04-2007, 09:50 AM

I purchased a $25 10 inch buffer from a local farm store. It did not work well for the polishing. I polished by hand using a red shop rag to apply as Gord suggests. I removed polish with old towels and T shirts. I cut up old sweats and sweatshirts and used the fleece side to buff to a greater shine. At times I sprinkled the sweatshirts with a little corn starch. This seems to work well,remove excess powder with air hose. Then I used the buffer with a microfiber pad as the last step. So you can see I used the buffer only for buffing, not polishing.
If I ever polish another trailer I will probably try a better quality polisher or maybe a cyclo polisher that several other posters have talked about.

Boondocker · 05-04-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck

DON'T DO IT!!!!!
It would be one thing if it was looking like crap...but to go through all that work...work that never really ends, btw, ...when you've already got a decent looking trailer...well, no thanks.

Polishing is a bad idea, you can not justify the expense or the time. Because of this, I dont try

. Actually, what part of rebuilding a 40 year old camper is justifiable? I say go for it.

kneal · 05-06-2007, 08:02 AM

So since my clearcoat is in such condition, I was thinking of possibly not stripping the center roof section where the AC sits and the roof vents, etc... and stripping and polishing the rest of the trailer. Is this a bad idea? Just curious as I am sure the roof would oxidize quicker than any of the other part of the trailer and it would allow for easier maintenace polishes.

Ken J · 05-06-2007, 11:02 AM

No thats not a bad idea at all (I too have to say if the clearcoat is good, don't mess with it) - in fact thats what I do - polishing the top is kind of a pain and you really can't see it - somewhere around here I have pictures of my 75 that I polished - just be sure to mask off the section you don't want to polish

Ken J.