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04-26-2010, 08:41 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1966 24' Tradewind
portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 38
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Skin question
Hello,
I replaced a couple of outside skin pieces with new .040 aluminum 50-52. Now the replaced area doesn't look like the old skin. I heard that the original skin was .035 aircraft grade aluminum. I don't think you can buy that anymore. does anyone gone through the same thing? would polishing do thr trick? any suggestions
Thanks
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04-26-2010, 09:18 PM
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#2
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
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I believe the outer skin is 2024 T3 0.032"
It is still being made.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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04-26-2010, 09:30 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
I believe the outer skin is 2024 T3 0.032"
It is still being made.
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Absolutely correct.
Andy
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04-26-2010, 09:40 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1966 24' Tradewind
portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 38
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Thanks Richard,
It is too late, I have already replaced several pieces. The bozo (butch Walter) mis-informed me. Oh well, what should I do to make the replaced area look like the rest?
Steve
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04-26-2010, 09:41 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steverad
Thanks Richard,
It is too late, I have already replaced several pieces. The bozo (butch Walter) mis-informed me. Oh well, what should I do to make the replaced area look like the rest?
Steve
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Steve.
To make the new match the old metal, you will need to start all over again.
Andy
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04-27-2010, 02:13 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1962 19' Globetrotter
1963 19' Globetrotter
1961 19' Globetrotter
Wheat Ridge
, Colorado
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 624
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It should be stated, as many already know... that the thickness is not the issue it the type of aluminum.... "Alclad" The alloy that has the protective coating on the outside surface is the correct aluminum for your year of trailer... 2024-T3 .032 is the spec .... However, I like others are using .040 (same thickness of todays' Airstreams) on belly panes and other parts of the trailer just fine! It should also be noted that Airstream switched to 6061-T6 .032 in the early 70's due to cost! SO the real question becomes how shinny do you really want your trailer because both will polish the "Alclad will just be "more shinny" ...
Now to your uses of the 50-52 would in my mind be more about strength than looks... It is my understanding (and not fully sure so I hope others will chime in) that the 50-52 due to the fact it is not tempered should not be used because it is too soft and not what most would call structural strength aluminum! So should you replace the panels that you have replaced... I would have to state yes, due more on the side of strength than looks!!!
Todd...
P.S. I can provide a source for the best price of 2024-T3 .032 and .040 if you so desire that information...
__________________
www.VINSTREAM.com
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
WBCCI # 1962
Instagram #Vinstream
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04-27-2010, 04:41 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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Alclad, that was used in the early Airstream trailers, is actually a laminate. The alloy in the middle is 2024. That is an alloy with copper in it and has poor corrosion resistance, but can be heat treated to obtain a high strength. To make is suitable for airplanes, they coated it with pure aluminum, which has poor strength but excellent corrosion resistance. Therefore; the name : AL CLAD, aluminum coated. This material is still available from Aircraft repair supply houses.
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04-27-2010, 04:58 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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Aircraft Spruce has as much 2024 as your checkbook can stand. Here is the link to the web page for what you needed. 2024T3 ALCLAD ALUMINUM from Aircraft Spruce
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04-27-2010, 09:15 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1966 24' Tradewind
portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 38
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Thank you all for the great information. My conclusion form reading these posts is that either I live with the look of it or replace all of the new pieces. (6 pieces) OUCH
Have a great day
Steve
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04-27-2010, 11:29 AM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 239
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1960’s switched to Alcoa for the Aluminum material. Alcoa-Aluminum Alclad sheet 2024-T3 .032
1998 -200….Alcoa Bright Versatrim leveled sheet 3004-H18 side and window sheet .040
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04-27-2010, 06:56 PM
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#11
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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5052 falls into the Non-Heat–Treatable (NHT) family of alloys along with 1XXX, 3XXX, and 4XXX. While 5052 can't be strengthened by heat treatment it can be strengthened by cold working which gives it an F temper designation. 5052 can be purchased in several other tempers as well. The main alloy in 5052 is magnesium which helps give it strength, it also has good corrosion resistance and is stronger than 1XXX and 3XXX alloys. The only way to really strengthen though is to bend, brake, or otherwise form it.
2024 is in the Heat-Treatable (HT) family along with 6XXX, and 7XXX series alloys. 2024 comes in an assortment of tempers as well (T4, T6, etc.). T3 is an alclad sheet and commonly referred to as aircraft alloy because of its yield strength and fatigue resistance and has a yield strength in the 50ksi range, where as 5052 yields in 24 ksi range.
While 5052 isn't the strongest material, its not the end of the world in my book.
Best of luck,
Kevin
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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11-21-2010, 07:55 AM
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#12
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DAO
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Thayne
, Wyoming
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinstream
It should be stated, as many already know... that the thickness is not the issue it the type of aluminum.... "Alclad" The alloy that has the protective coating on the outside surface is the correct aluminum for your year of trailer... 2024-T3 .032 is the spec .... However, I like others are using .040 (same thickness of todays' Airstreams) on belly panes and other parts of the trailer just fine! It should also be noted that Airstream switched to 6061-T6 .032 in the early 70's due to cost! SO the real question becomes how shinny do you really want your trailer because both will polish the "Alclad will just be "more shinny" ...
Now to your uses of the 50-52 would in my mind be more about strength than looks... It is my understanding (and not fully sure so I hope others will chime in) that the 50-52 due to the fact it is not tempered should not be used because it is too soft and not what most would call structural strength aluminum! So should you replace the panels that you have replaced... I would have to state yes, due more on the side of strength than looks!!!
Todd...
P.S. I can provide a source for the best price of 2024-T3 .032 and .040 if you so desire that information...
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Can you provide a source for 0.040" sheets?
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11-21-2010, 09:07 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doutterson
Can you provide a source for 0.040" sheets?
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What size sheets?
Andy
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11-21-2010, 12:09 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1960 33' Custom
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,373
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__________________
1960 Sovereign 33' Pacific Railroad Custom
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05-02-2011, 02:04 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Maple Plain
, Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 61
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Aluminum sheet
Kevin has the right description of the aluminum sheets used by A/S. They originally used 24ST (2024T# clad) .032 gauge. Then for economics they switched to 3005 or 3005 sheet with H2 or H4 temper (1/4 or 1/2 hard), but because of the lower yield strength, they increased the gauge to .040". These grades of aluminum (3xxxx) were being used in the automotive trim fields and they had good appearances for exposed applications.
5052 is more of a marine grade or truck body grade, stronger than 3003 but not as strong as 2024-T3. If your 5052 sheet is .040 thick you are OK as far as strength goes.
I believe the difference in appearance you see is due to the age of the sheets. Your 5052 is newer and less oxidized vs. the other panels on your A/S. Over time, they should blend to be more uniform. If you have discolored clear coating on the old panels that will make "blending" more difficult. That would be the case whatever grade of aluminum you used.
The surface finish of sheets is important. Standard "mill finish" vs. "bright" finish will not match up without polishing the "Mill" finish to match.
Play with the finish on some 5052 scrap pcs and you may come up with a match. OR, let mother nature run her course!
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