Waxing prior to Vacationing near Salt Water

[GArock]

I removed the clear coat and polished my 1988 Excella about 18 months ago. Since then, we've traveled across the country several times. After 18 months, the trailer had some minor oxidation, but still looked pretty good. I just spent 4 days re-polishing my Excella and she now looks great again.

In 10 days we head north to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for a 3-4 week vacation. We've never traveled with the Airstream for an extensive period of time in a salty environment.

I am debating applying some sort wax over the newly polished Excella to protect it from the salty environment.

Part of me says it's a good idea, but another part says it will only cause more work when I re-polish in 18 months.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences folks might have on this topic.

[Airwave503]

I haven't tried it but a fisherman I know with aluminum boats swears by "Salt Away".

[Airwave503]

GArock,

So did you ever wax?

After many trips to the mountain this winter, I am back to black bar all around the lower half of the trailer. Oregon started salting the roads last year and I think it's what's wasting my polish job.

[dhroberts]

One precaution that I take on a semi-annual basis is to apply Corrosion-X to all 'exposed' rivets and aluminum seams & parts. This helps protect against the dreaded filiform, a form of aluminum corrosion. After the Corrosion-X application, I wax the entire rig. So far, so good after 4+ years.

[pmclemore]

Waxing is always a good idea. I'm just too lazy.

I did travel to NS and NF earlier this year, and I really don't think they are that salty to worry about.

Pat

[GArock]

No, I decided to not wax my Excella before the trip. As it turns out, after traveling almost 8,000 miles including ferrying it to Newfoundland, the Airstream did not show any unusual signs of corrosion or oxidation when we returned home.

[Airwave503]

I could cry. Spent all weekend with the sisal wheel. Back is aching. I had it looking so good at the end of last summer after countless hours and now all that work is un-done.

I wish I would have known about corrosionX.

[GArock]

I know the feeling. A month after I polished the Excella we went to the Region 3 rally at Myrtle Beach. On the way there, I got behind a truck that must have been leaking something and I attempted to wash it off at Ocean Lakes Campground. Apparently, the water was harder or there was a reaction to the salt in the air that caused spotting that required me to rebuff the entire trailer in a short period of time before we departed for the International Rally in Salem. It was a terrible experience, which generated the question about waxing. The experience taught me to watch what I drive behind and to be careful about applying tap water to the trailer. When I do it from home, I always dry the trailer immediately to prevent spotting.

[Airwave503]

dhroberts,

I picked up a can of CorrosionX. It seems like more of a lubricant for moving parts, but it does suggest use on underbelly of cars etc.

My pain is basically the lower half of my entire exterior.

Would you recommend spraying, rubbing it on like a wax to prevent preserve my polishing? I'll also plan to do the wash/wax.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The best use of CorrosionX. dh nailed it.

A consistent routine with a quality wax or sealant along with the X, or Beoshield would likely be the most effective way to proceed.
It has been for us anyway.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

17yrs SFSG