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Skycop · 07-18-2009, 03:37 PM

I have spent the past hour researching the forums for my next question to no avail.

We have a 65 model Globetrotter with the hideous black smudge marks that are spoken of in this forum.

I also have just a smidge of clearcoat left toward the bottom of the panels. Well, it is either clearcoat or corrosion...either way, I hope my next question will help me decide what to do.

I have attempted the "rub down" of the trailer with an orange based stripper that my brother in law used with quite a bit of success. His trailer turned out quite well after he finished stripping it.

However, after spending the majority of my day stripping the trailer, I have found that it doesn't look a single bit better after the stripping process.

My wife and I agree that (as of right now) we don't want a mirror finish on the trailer, but do want to get the exterior cleaned up. I am writing to see if utilizing a stripper (whether it be the super strong aircraft stuff or the orange stuff that I have tried needs a second coat) will help with the blemishes and general condition of the skin, or if we will have to start the polishing process.

Thanks in advance!

ArtStream · 07-18-2009, 04:44 PM

Sorry couldn't help myself

ArtStream · 07-18-2009, 04:46 PM

What we really need are pictures of the afflicted areas.

ALANSD · 07-18-2009, 04:53 PM

If there is no clear coat left, then you would need to polish the uncoated areas some to get it shinier. Try something easy like Tool Box Polish from Lowe's, or Mothers Aluminum polish. It may just do the trick. If you are no after a very high level shine you can do it by hand, and it will look good. Then auto wax over to seal it for 6 months or so. I have done two units this way they looked quite nice.

Airdaddy · 07-18-2009, 07:53 PM

I bought my first AS a few weeks back. I have spent a lot of money on a few things that have not worked myself. I to have desided not to go with the mirror finish. So I went down to my local Auto Dealer suppy house and ask them a few questuion. However this is what I did all day today. I gave my 31 footer a Acid bath. Then I took A mild car wash with a wax mixed in and washed the AS twice. I like the looks so far. I have photo's have not loaded yet. I am not done. When I get time next week I will give her a lite buffing.

Danny Wingard
Airdaddy

Wichita, Kansas

Smokin Camel · 07-18-2009, 08:00 PM

The acid bath may not be a good idea for an AS????

While it may take dirt off Aluminum is very susceptible to dissolution by even fairly weak acids. I would worry about seems after a few of those.

I can't say for sure, I have never tried an acid bath on mine. But then I am not all polished up. My AS is dingy grey with blotched clear coat, but then it doesn't really bother me. I just use commercial auto detergents once a year. Though I don't take mine out of the shed very often, just a few times a year at present.

ALANSD · 07-25-2009, 07:55 AM

Here are before and after shots of my 787 Sovereign. The clear was stripped with Removall, little or no polish at all applied after.

AIR-Quarius · 07-25-2009, 12:16 PM

we had splotches of clear coat in lower places...one spot was a large spot of it right behind the propane tanks. We took ordinary zip-strip semi paste paint remover and dabbed it in palce and immediatly the clear coat bubbled and raised and we rinsed it off with water and sponge...thus allowing us to polish the newly exposed metal. So you can get zip strip just about anywhere like ace hardware etc.

ALANSD · 07-26-2009, 10:36 AM

The advantage to Removall is it can be hosed off and not hurt your plants. Also doesn't hurt any trim or moldings.

Skycop · 07-27-2009, 03:16 PM

Well we used the Remove All originally (original post) and stripped the remaining bits a pieces of clear coat off. The mothers and tool box polish would not take off the black marks or the small areas of corrosion. I guess I will be moving on to the very labor intensive stuff!

tallytwo1994 · 07-27-2009, 03:43 PM

Photos of the black marks may still be helpful to identify the problem.

ALANSD · 07-28-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skycop

Well we used the Remove All originally (original post) and stripped the remaining bits a pieces of clear coat off. The mothers and tool box polish would not take off the black marks or the small areas of corrosion. I guess I will be moving on to the very labor intensive stuff!

Not sure about the black marks, but corrosion has to be attacked with the correct sand paper. If the 47 Curtis Wright can shine, yours will be no problem

kevinkatz · 07-30-2009, 09:51 AM

i am in the process of doing my 65 caravel. had to remove some smudges with 2000 grit water paper. then polished with truck box polish
easy. quick. great results.

Skycop · 07-31-2009, 03:53 AM

Thanks a million guys. I guess the Nuvite and the super fine wet/dry sandpaper is the way to go with the hard stuff. But in the Wright thread....that is about what she looks like!