Silicone spray instead of walbernize???

[munimula]

I was speaking with a fellow Airstreamer this weekend at Jersey Shore Haven Airstream Park about waxing my Airstream. He suggested that instead of using Walbernize he sprays on Silicone instead. Any opinions about this approach to treating the exterior with a silicone protective coat?

This was the first I've heard of it. btw - the skin on his '83 looks excellent.

--Dave
'78 Excella 500
'93 Excellea 1000

http://www.dwmorrison.com/airstream.htm

[Tinsel Loaf]

Can you give us a better idea of what kind of silicone your tallking about. Is it pure liquid silicone oil? Is it in a past like auto wax or a liquid solution?
When I Wlberize it is hard to believe how the coating just sucks it up and how bright it looks and feels after the buff. Difficult to believe silicone outperforms a old fashion Walberizing. I could be wrong. Let the members speak..........

[munimula]

he uses silicone in a spray can. basically the same stuff i use on my zipdee metalwork. he says two cans of the spray does his entire 31 footer. sprays it on and rubs it down with a rag. one hours work and his entire trailer is covered.

i'm going to give it a try unless someone says it will hurt the aluminum skin.

here is a link to what he uses...

http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/CRC/CRC06077.html

--dave

[Silvertwinkie]

On a vintage, maybe, on a new(er) coach, not a chance.

[munimula]

i'm reading at the crc website - says it's not plastic safe. guessing it would deteriorate the clear coat over time.

friend says an AS dealer at a SC beach town recommended it.

--dave

[munimula]

okay - searched the crc site further and found a version of their silicone spray that is "safe on most plastics". product number 05074

just bought a case of the stuff. i'm going to experiment on my '78 before i apply it to my '93 - formerly theo's '93.

--dave

[VacuumKing]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

On a vintage, maybe, on a new(er) coach, not a chance.

I do it on a 2015

[Daquenzer]

I typically shine mine a couple times year. Once with Wash & Wax which is a kind of quick way to do it. And then walbernize it the next time. I guess I would like to know the advantage of the silicone spray over the walbernize.

I also went on the Web site for CRC and it say “not to be used as an appearance cleaner.”

[Stephen Smit]

I tried in a few spots and it looks great.

[AlbertF]

It might be good, it might not be.

Something to consider is that the clear coats have changed through the years. Older clear coats are sprayed on and can be re-done (albeit at major cost). New trailer panels are apparently coated by Alcoa when they are made, perhaps to avoid any corrosion during storage.

BTW, Walbernize Super Seal is the correct product for newer trailers. Older units need the Walbernize Cleaner Polish & Glaze. This is the advice that I got directly from Walbernize.

Notwithstanding that advice, I'd say that any kind of automotive wax is beneficial. I like to think of wax as sunscreen for paint.

[richard5933]

There's something called Sheila Shine that will work much better than silicone spray. I used to use it on the aluminum siding on my bus conversion and it really helped. I've used it on the faded/tired looking parts of my 1994 Excella and the result was impressive and lasted for a while.

[Mollysdad]

I did an experiment with two products. My trailer was pretty clean to start and under cover.

On the left half:
1. Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax. Recommended by YouTube Airstreamer '13 Adventures' who I met at Alumalina. As a marine assigned to the Presidential Helicopter, Marine 1, he said it's what they used there.

On the right half:
2. Maguires Quick Wax.
To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference in the results, although the Aero Cosmetics went on easier.

I did notice that the curved end caps were never as shiny as the flatter side panels. At first I thought they got rougher treatment because of bugs, but even the rear caps were duller. I now think the bending process dulls the finish of the stamped curves.

I've never been that impressed by Walbernize as far as results vs. cost.

Next week, Paste wax.

[Stephen Smit]

I used Mcguires boat wash to clean the camper. Then I used silicone spray on a microfiber cloth to wipe camper down. I have a 2018 Bambi. It looks fantastic..

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Stephen Smit

I used Mcguires boat wash to clean the camper. Then I used silicone spray on a microfiber cloth to wipe camper down. I have a 2018 Bambi. It looks fantastic..

I'd be interested to learn if silicone spray attracts dirt while driving.

[Stephen Smit]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I'd be interested to learn if silicone spray attracts dirt while driving.

I will let u know. There is very little oil on the skin. I doubt it.

[SallyForth]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I did an experiment with two products. My trailer was pretty clean to start and under cover.

On the left half:
1. Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax. Recommended by YouTube Airstreamer '13 Adventures' who I met at Alumalina. As a marine assigned to the Presidential Helicopter, Marine 1, he said it's what they used there.

On the right half:
2. Maguires Quick Wax.
To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference in the results, although the Aero Cosmetics went on easier.

I too tried the Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless stuff at the recommendation of USMC SgtMaj Driver. I figured if it’s okay for Marine One and Air Force One, it should fine on an Airstream.

My rig was beyond filthy. I went the wet route. As you observed it is very easy to work with. And the results seems plenty shiny.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by SallyForth

I too tried the Aero Cosmetics Wet or Waterless stuff ...the results seems plenty shiny.

Your results mirrored mine. (no pun intended). I took your image and made a notation. As I said, the curved end caps don't shine like the sides.
Maybe I expect too much??

[Tim A.]

Even when brand new, the corner end caps of our trailer had a different appearance from the rest of the outside of the trailer. I assume that is because they were formed into compound curves at the factory and the Alcoa coating reacted differently than to forming into the simple curves of other surfaces.

For what it is worth, we used silicone spray on the outside of the trailer when it was new. Switched to other polishes over the years and now use Turtlewax Ice Spray Wax. Simplest possible application, requires no wipe-down afterwards and provides good protection.

Tim

[sfranklin]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

Even when brand new, the corner end caps of our trailer had a different appearance from the rest of the outside of the trailer. I assume that is because they were formed into compound curves at the factory and the Alcoa coating reacted differently than to forming into the simple curves of other surfaces.

Tim

Yes, Tim is right. These are stretch formed and will never look like the side panels.

Walbernize i found to be easy to apply but not very long lasting.