too much information...

[rama777]

Can someone please help me. I have a newly baught 31' 1974 airstream. I love it. Still though, I would love it more if I could make the outside look better. It has plenty of oxidation. I want to make it look better but I don't have the money to go all the way with it. I am not working and the airstream is my job these days. I have ALL the time in the world. What are some ways to polish it up without using nuvite and the cyclone thing. I can by a drill or polisher but again, time is not the issue, money is....Any ideas?? Thanks.

[InsideOut]

Oftentimes, just stripping the old, failing clearcoat off will help the look tremendously!

Shari

[codybear]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Oftentimes, just stripping the old, failing clearcoat off will help the look tremendously!

Shari

Hi Shari,

If after you strip off oth old clearcoat, would you have to seal it up again quickly? The Safari has that old coat that's wearing thin..

[AZstreamin]

Seeing how I own a brand new Airstream.....can't claim to be a polishing expert....however found this on youtube.com recently and you may find it interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGElhRODQj8

would also recommend doing a little searching on the forums... tons of info already posted... Good luck, there is nothing like a mirror finish on an Airstream...

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by rama777

Can someone please help me. I have a newly baught 31' 1974 airstream. I love it. Still though, I would love it more if I could make the outside look better. It has plenty of oxidation. I want to make it look better but I don't have the money to go all the way with it. I am not working and the airstream is my job these days. I have ALL the time in the world. What are some ways to polish it up without using nuvite and the cyclone thing. I can by a drill or polisher but again, time is not the issue, money is....Any ideas?? Thanks.

I was talking to a gentleman a the rally I attended last weekend (Vintage Travel Trailer Rally). He was actually polishing his '74 Tradewind there. He says he just uses an inexpensive ($30 at Harbor Freight) angle buffer with wool pads. He did use Nuvite but said old clean cotton towels and the buffer pads were all that was necessary. No, he said, you do not need to clear coat it after. Just take a section at a time at leisure and keep it up....even at rallys. His Trailer was beautiful. No swirls either.
Neil.

[codybear]

Originally Posted by AZstreamin

Seeing how I own a brand new Airstream.....can't claim to be a polishing expert....however found this on youtube.com recently and you may find it interesting:

would also recommend doing a little searching on the forums... tons of info already posted... Good luck, there is nothing like a mirror finish on an Airstream...

Hi Az,

I checked that out..super cool!..even the other ones too

[rama777]

Thanks fr the suggestions. What should I use to remove the clearcoat?

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by rama777

What should I use to remove the clearcoat?

There are lots of different products out there...from mild to wild! We used Kleen Strip Aircraft Stripper which can be found at any car parts store like Pep Boys, Auto Zone, etc. Wal-Mart even carries it.

If you use the forum search tool using "stripper" or "stripping" as key words, you will tap into lots of experience and other opinions to start with.

Shari

[rama777]

Also, are their any cheaper alternatives to the nuvite products?

[rama777]

I assume that their is clearcoat on my airstream, but how do I determine that for sure?

[Silver Threads]

I just began a few weeks ago stripping the clearcoat off of our overlander. I first tried the citri strip in a spray can, it worked ok. I then tried the Ace Hardware brand of heavy duty stripper. I had used this on the wheels on the Suburban and it worked great, simply sprayed it on and rinsed it off. Anyway, I tried a small spot on the airstream and was amazed at how good it looked with the clear coat gone!! I am now almost half-way done and it looks great!! Just don't get it on any plastic parts, and be careful around the windows where your sealant is. They do make a brush on type of the same stripper, but I did'nt think it worked nearly as well.

John

[LI Pets]

I thought the safe way to get the clearcoat off was with Removall?

I'll be trying a product called Metalwax.com in the next week or two, I spoke to the company and they claim you can clean and polish about 100 square feet in about 60-90 minutes.

I'll report back.

It is used on aircraft.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by rama777

I assume that their is clearcoat on my airstream, but how do I determine that for sure?

...unless a previous owner has already stripped it off.

The easiest way to test it is to take a plain white t-shirt scrap, put a tiny dab of toothpaste on it and gently rub where you think the clearcoat is still on your trailer (in an inconspicous place). If it turns black, there's no clearcoat...if not, you still have clearcoat protecting the aluminum. The bare aluminum will turn the spot jet black...not just dirty.

Originally Posted by rama777

Also, are their any cheaper alternatives to the nuvite products?

There are many different polishing techniques which can be researched here on the forums utilizing the 'search' tool. Only you can tell what 'works' for you and your budget ~

Shari

[rebel beck]

Wonder what the youtube dude used. Looks real easy, like something I would like to use.

[AZstreamin]

Originally Posted by rebel beck

Wonder what the youtube dude used. Looks real easy, like something I would like to use.

I sent the youdude an email... keep you posted.

[rama777]

Thanks everybody. I went ahead and baught the removall stuff because it won't kill my dogs and grass...