Satin Finish

[mikeandnora]

Oh, and the stripe came off a while ago very easily!

[Skatiero]

Wow! Looking good! So you did the whole thing with citristrip first?

[mikeandnora]

I haven't done the clearcoat yet, but the vinyl strip was very easy. Had the blue looked good we would have been fine to keep it, but it was in very bad shape. I used some paint stripper from sherwin williams (left over) on that and it worked fine. We're still contemplating the rest of the exterior project, but I want to strip it soon.

[yve79]

mikandnora,

What will you do for the clearcoat/protectant? We will have to undertake this project in the next year.

~Yevette

[mikeandnora]

After reading good things about sharkhide I believe that is our best option. I spoke with a couple people at springstream in north Georgia and they seemed to like it. Also spoke with the owner of the company and it seemed perfect.

If anyone has any better options please let us know!

[WOG]

I have a 1975 Argosy that I have stripped the paint off of. I just painted the 2 endcaps. Now I will tackle the finish on the aluminum. I too do not want to be a slave of polishing either. But I do have very obvious and large swirled grind marks on the panels which obviously didn’t matter when they made the Argosy as it was going to be painted over.
I’ve experimented with several things. I tried 1600 wet sand paper and that did a nice job. It’s a lot of hand work though and you go through sand paper rather quickly. I tried Bon Ami using a soft buffing pad and although it does a nice job cleaning the aluminum, it does not do much to the finish. I tried regular 3m sponges with the green scrub side, but that was too rough and scratched. Then I bought some 3M Ultra fine pads at a local automotive store. I tried these with some Bon Ami and it did a great job. I used it wet and I tried it without the Bon Ami with the same results. I’ve decided what I will do is to put the 3M ultra fine pad on my random orbital sander. I’ve hosed down one aluminum panel and then used this and it takes the big grind marks off right away and leaves a nice matte finish. And it’s FAST! If I had the time and energy, I’d maybe then wet sand with 1600 paper, but I don’t think that’ll happen! …maybe next year. But the trailer is starting to look so much better.
After I sanded, I washed with some Dawn dish soap and water and hosed it down. I figured if they used Dawn to clean up the Gulf Oil spill, it must do a good job cleaning up residue. Is kerosene cleaning necessary? Am I leaving oxidation behind by not doing that? I was thinking about trying Liquid Glass as protectant when I am done to help protect the aluminum.
Thanks to people on here for their suggestions and recommendations.

[Kevo]

Wow, this is some interesting conversation for somebody who just finished the first pass of polishing...I cant imagine wanting to go back after all the hours i have put in...that said, I have not yet dealt with the maintenance of a polished trailer yet either, I guess we will see if i feel different a couple years from now.

[SteveH]

If you don't want a dull finish on your polished trailer, or decide the continuos polishing and waxing is too much work, just let it go. It will turn dull in a few years.

[0557]

Originally Posted by safari62

A recent discovery of Bon Ami powder cleanser seemed to work when helping a friend clean a few decades of black tree deposits on the metal. with a little work it removed the black stuff leaving a satin finish. The container states it does not scratch....but reading the label states there is is limestone and a few other abrasives in the mix. But it did leave a satin finish.
Bon Ami :: Products :: Powder Cleanser

I have a 34ft. Limited as well, and I think the career of polishing is over for me.
Could you tell me the exact materials you used, other than the Bon Ami and the scotch pads. We're they the ultra fine? Thanks, I started doing a re-polishi a couple of days ago and I just don't think I want do finish it this way any more.
Thankyou
Rick

[0557]

Originally Posted by mikeandnora

After reading good things about sharkhide I believe that is our best option. I spoke with a couple people at springstream in north Georgia and they seemed to like it. Also spoke with the owner of the company and it seemed perfect.

If anyone has any better options please let us know!

Did you ever try the Sharkhide.

[mikeandnora]

I didn't think it was going to take me 2-3 months to renovate the inside, so not yet. I'll update the thread when I do though. Hopefully in the next couple months.