Tried citristrip and aircraft remover?

[evelitalian]

Hi, ive tried both and it just aint comeing off! i even left the aircraft remover on for 4 hours.it looks like clearcoat,but could it be oxidation? its a 1966 globetrotter.theres parts that are real shiney,like the clearcoat flaked away.any ideas would be appreciated

[InsideOut]

Test:
1) wash a small area with plain water to get rid of dirt
2) take a small dab (pea-sized) of toothpaste and gently rub it on the clean area (size of a quarter)

Results:
A) if it turns black - no clearcoat
B) if it doesn't - clearcoat is there

Clearcoat is like clear fingernail polish, if there, it will protect the aluminum and no black will appear. If it isn't then the oxidation (the black) will come off with the slight abrasiveness of the toothpaste.

You may not have clearcoat left...Aircraft stripper is nasty stuff and if it's there, it will take it off...and it shouldn't take 4 hours. Do you have any pictures of your trailer? It may help...if you have failing clearcoat the skin will appear spotchy - if not it will look more evenly gray.

Shari

[shvlnr]

I have used auto strip from wal-mart and have had good luck with it. It only costs about 4 to 5 bucks for a can and works fairly quickly. Hope this helps

[Darol Ingalls]

If you determine you still have clearcoat, JABSCO paint remover will work. However, work with a small area no larger than 12" square. Apply with a brush, wait until it bubbles, then scrape with a sharpened wood paint stir stick. Second application may be necessary. Then wash with warm, soapy water before the remover dries. Sound like a lot of work, I know, but you have a small trailer compared to the two 24' Tradewinds I've done. After stripping, use Nuvite polishing materials. Don't waste your efforts on anything else. Darol

[toastie]

Originally Posted by evelitalian

Hi, ive tried both and it just aint comeing off! i even left the aircraft remover on for 4 hours.it looks like clearcoat,but could it be oxidation? its a 1966 globetrotter.theres parts that are real shiney,like the clearcoat flaked away.any ideas would be appreciated

Try this, just paint it on and hose it off, you will probably need 2 gals.,
works great............

[toastie]

sorry forgot the link

Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

[eubank]

Yes, evelitalian, following up on Shari's post, I suspect the shiny areas on your rig are the areas where there is no more clearcoat, and the dull areas are clearcoated still. Ours is pretty much the same way: Where the clearcoat has recently fallen off, it's shiny.

Lynn

[evelitalian]

heres some pics of the panels i put the aircraft remover on,the shiney spots were already like that.leading me to beleive there was a clearcoat.but nothing came off.tried the toothpaste method,and nothing turned black around the shiney areas.other areas did turn black?could this all be oxidation

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by evelitalian

tried the toothpaste method,and nothing turned black around the shiney areas.other areas did turn black?could this all be oxidation

First thought - the shiny areas probably still have the clearcoat intact.

What happens is, as the clearcoat fails it oxidizes because it's exposed to the air. The longer it is exposed, the more it oxidizes and looks darker. The clearcoat, while it gets kinda opaque looking protects the surface and keep it shiny. It's not uncommon to have many different "shades of gray" which is the oxidation failing over time...the first areas being more oxidized than the later areas.

Second thought - I don't know how long you've had your trailer, but if a PO recently stripped it, then the clearcoat could be gone, but the oxidation not really taken a foothold yet.

Make sense? You may want to look at this page of our website...it'll look familiar.

Good luck!

Shari

[Melody Ranch]

Are you sure its real aircraft type stripper?.....look for a mil spec number on the real good ones. It will be a gooey yellow...looks like snot. Best to put it on with a handled brush (not a plastic one....wood and bristle.) It should be warm out side, sun is good, but do not let the area your working on dry out. Agitate the stripper on the desired area every couple minutes. Clean the stripped area with water and more agitation....I use aluminum wool for tough stuff....(use good rubber gloves)then move on. Water neutralizes the chemical stripping....so, keep water away from the areas your working on or moving into...until you do do the wash off. Real aircraft stripper will burn you so watch out and follow cautions.
I can't imagine your problems if your using the real stuff.
Good luck....you will love the result....We all want pictures too.

[InsideOut]

I agree, I've never heard of Klean Strip Aircraft Remover not getting rid of clearcoat from whatever year trailer 'right now'....it's really nasty stuff.

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Are you sure its real aircraft type stripper?

It looks like this



Shari

[evelitalian]

exactly what i am using.even put it on all the shiney areas.and yes it burns my skin,but not the globetrotters?The instructions say dont restroke when applying,so im not sure about the aggitating part?and what is aluminum wool?dont want to leave deep scratches.all i can think is what Shari said,po may have stripped it.but the outline pattern of the shiney areas is odd?

[Melody Ranch]

Shake the can before use.
Agitation is the word they used when I got my instructions at an Air Force Paint shop facility. Put it on, let it work, scrub it around a bit, let it work, scrub it around some more. Aluminum wool will not scracct the aluminum surface your working on. Aircraft paint shops have it available all the time. I am sure any good paint store will have, or can get, some for you.
Regardless....that stripper should work. If not, take it back and get some fresh.

[toastie]

Her are a few pictures showing before clearcoat removal, one showing using Napier RemovAll 220, than a polish one. The one showing the clearcoat Removeall just washes off using water from the hose.

Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

[evelitalian]

thanks all for the tips,but im not going to buy another remover.the instructions on the can of aircraft remover were not to paint over or restroke in the same direction,it would loose the evaporation qualities.i will throw the buffer to it,and see what the deal is.i used the two most exspensive strippers on the market.thanks

[ALANSD]

I used Aircraft stripper on a painted stripe on my trailer. It did not touch it. Removall is fantastic on removing clear coat and will not hurt anything else...it too did nothing on my painted stripe though. I am still working on that.