Polishing VS. polycoating?

[77airstream]

I have a 1977 31' Soverign that my dad had bought new. Luckily enough , I know just about everything that has ever been done to the trailer. I also know that it still has the factory plasticoat job, what is left of it, but I am undecided about how to refinish. Do I want to polish or plasticoat? I am very much so a hands on type of guy, and being that the trailer has lots of sentimental value to me, I want it to look wonderful, one way or the other. I guess my biggest dilemma is there are lots of information on how to polish an Airstream but not a lot on how to prep one for plasticoat. Maybe it is not as complicated as I think it would be, I just dont know? I do have the shop space to do either, I just would like to know a little more about the processes on applying new plasticoat. I NEED HELP!!! Thanks!!

[cosmotini]

77air,

Welcome to the forums!

Another option to consider would be to paint your trailer. There are a few on the forums that have them and they look great! BigAl has a painted trailer that came from the factory that way. Bob Thompson has a step-by-step thread on how he did his and it's really sweet. Of course Inland Andy can and does them too.

Good luck!

[53flyingcloud]

WELCOME...
Check this site out for clear coating and, the prep...
Glisten PC

[Fyrzowt]

We saw an Argosy last night that I thought was an Airstream. Until I realized that the endcaps were the same aluminum color as the rest of it. It looked great!
Dave

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by 77airstream

I just would like to know a little more about the processes on applying new plasticoat. I NEED HELP!!! Thanks!!

I'd like to know this, too. I think I remember reading a post a while back that said, in essence, that this needs to be done professionally. I could be wrong, though. Anybody can strip the clearcoat off, fortunately.

[klevan]

Originally Posted by 77airstream

Do I want to polish or plasticoat?

...Until thou hast prepared the surface. Guess what the surface preparation entails? You guessed it, stripping the old plasticote and polishing the skin until it looks like you want it to look under the plasticote.

Don't trust plasticoating to anyone but a professional, and ask for a list of former Airstream customers. I've seen some abysmal jobs complete with dirt, leaves and small animals decoupaged onto the Airstream.

With all due respect to 53FlyingCloud (the man has 2,481 posts under his belt), run away from the POR-15 product unless you are a very, very clever person with many hours of spray painting experience under your belt.

You can do the prep. Get a pro to do the plasticote.

The prep may be the most time consuming and ergo most expensive part of the task anyway.

[77airstream]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I'm gonna do a little more research now to see what each option has in store for me. I'll keep you posted...