Quote:
Originally Posted by frjeff
Picture shows a definite line across the front of the cover (and it goes all around), exactly where the vinyl stopped.
I am presuming (being aluminum) that this was gel coated after the vinyl was installed.
Thus, I likely need to strip the gel and then attempt to polish.
Correct?
Attachment 292684 |
Well, yes and no.
Gel coat is used with fiberglass or other laminates during the molding process. It is the first coat into the mold and is the glossy surface you see. It doesn't have to be clear, it can be the finished color. White is especially popular on boats, for example.
For Airstreams, a clear coat is used. It is simply a coat of clear paint, like many cars now have a clear coat over paint to enhance the glossy finish. This is actually good news for you. Lots easier to remove than a gel coat.
The process is to clear coat the aluminum, then put the stickers on. Normally.
Yes, you will want to remove it before polishing. On a nearly 30 year old piece of aluminum it is nearing the end of its life anyway.
Actually, looking at your photo, the part that was undertone vinyl looks better than the rest. That's how mine would be if I took the vinyl off. The vinyl actually protects the clear coat. The sun is what really eats finishes. You probably have more and "better" clear coat there. Regardless, go down to clean aluminum and polish. You should be good.
You can find plenty of threads on polishing. You will see photos of trailers that look like your cover all the way down the sides. Doing the cover looks like a good learning experience. Everything you need to learn in miniature.
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