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GeGe · 09-25-2013, 05:09 PM

I have removed the clear oat and I am now polishing. I am using a buffer and white diamond polish. I am getting black residue from the start. Should I continue or stop polishing. I have a lot of oxidation. I have been stopping and then washing with water and starting again. What am I doing wrong?

Taylormade · 09-25-2013, 05:17 PM

black residue means it's working and that you've successfully removed the clear coat. Continue through it. Let the pad to the work... assume you're using a wool pad? Less is more when polishing, you don't need to load up the pad.

GeGe · 09-25-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylormade

black residue means it's working and that you've successfully removed the clear coat. Continue through it. Let the pad to the work... assume you're using a wool pad? Less is more when polishing, you don't need to load up the pad.

I am using a terry cloth cover on my buffer. Wrong??

Melody Ranch · 09-25-2013, 05:45 PM

Hi....I think you should stop and read some polishing threads here on the Forums. You will wear yourself to a frazzle the way you seem to be going.

Taylormade · 09-25-2013, 05:49 PM

Yes. Assuming you're using a 7" angle grinder type polisher, run over to Harbor Freight and grab some of their tuffer buffer wool pads. I bought like 5 or 6. Then put about a nickel sized amount of polish on the pad, apply it to the trailer and spread it out just a bit before turning it on.

I'll say this: that stuff works well, especially for touch ups, but because of it's liquidity, it makes a HUGE mess. It's also cost prohibitive unless you have a hook up. Look into the NuVite line of paste polishes. They're worth their weight in aluminum.

Roadrunner · 09-25-2013, 07:44 PM

GeGe...like others have said...switch to wool bonnets. If you are using one of the inexpensive car buffers like they sell at Walmart, that will not get through the aluminum oxide on your trailer. You will need, at a minimum, a rotary polisher that can be had at places like Harbor Freight for under $50. Velcro wool bonnets work great. As far as washing...water will not help. Your buffing pad should take most of the black off; but, you will have to clean your pad with a pad rake to keep it from getting caked up. Between a second buffing you will notice some black residue on your trailer...especially around the rivets. This should be cleaned with mineral spirits or corn starch. Then rebuff if needed.

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

TWaugh · 09-25-2013, 08:41 PM

Yep, there are a lot of good ideas on the polishing threads and a lot of folks with good advice and techniques.

Here is just one example of a technique. This is part 3 assuming you have prepped the surface....

FYI - all 5 parts to this video series are on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBI-kTXkno

AIR-Quarius · 09-25-2013, 10:42 PM

I just started using the White diamond, and yes - after shaking the bottle you kind of have to be careful where your aiming it or it will burp and splatter onto places you don't want it. It will also spit when you snap the lid shut. I am using a car buffer with a wool pad but I am now interested in the Harbor freight pads. With our 70' model- I think I polished it about five years ago, and am now doing it again. With the White D, you can almost do a small area (1 foot) and then hand polish it to a shine...but you can see the oxidation being polished back into the surface, or at least thats what it seems like to me. So I will wipe up last with Kerosene (not thinner)...Thinner will really dry out or burn your skin to a certain degree... whereas Kerosene stays supple longer and does the same thing if not better than thinner and is not as harsh...plus it is cheaper by the gallon. Wipe that black stuff away and keep polishing and good luck.
Also with the White D I seem to be coming out with more of a swirled finish as can be seen in the suns reflection.

Roadrunner · 09-26-2013, 05:07 AM

When you graduate from the rotary polisher the only thing that really removes the swirls is a cyclo polisher. Polishing is the "gift that keeps on giving..."

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

ALANSD · 09-26-2013, 07:51 AM

yes... the polishing work never ends if the trailer is stored outside.

william Haym · 09-26-2013, 08:29 AM

If you go on U-tube, there is a site that shows you how to polish your Airstream. Search (How to polish Airstream) It's real good!!

eubank · 09-26-2013, 09:14 AM

Vintage Trailer Supply also has a fairly good document available online about polishing.

Lynn

GeGe · 09-29-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWaugh

Yep, there are a lot of good ideas on the polishing threads and a lot of folks with good advice and techniques.

Here is just one example of a technique. This is part 3 assuming you have prepped the surface....

FYI - all 5 parts to this video series are on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBI-kTXkno

Thanks so much. Learned a lot by watching all the videos. I learned I was doing it all wrong. This is a big help. Ths

GeGe · 09-30-2013, 06:14 PM

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. Headed to harbor freight

ryano · 09-30-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeGe

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. Headed to harbor freight

make sure you get the extended warranty. FYI i went through 2 of them within 3-4 hours of polishing. I ended up buying a Dewalt...

GeGe · 09-30-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryano

make sure you get the extended warranty. FYI i went through 2 of them within 3-4 hours of polishing. I ended up buying a Dewalt...

Good call. Where did you get your Dewalt

ryano · 10-01-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeGe

Good call. Where did you get your Dewalt

amazon

DEWALT DWP849X 7-Inch/9-Inch Variable Speed Polisher with Soft Start - Amazon.com

Soyboy · 10-01-2013, 02:25 PM

Here is a link to the excellent instructions from Vintage Trailer Supply.

Thumbs up on the Dewalt 849, I bought one and it has been great.

I got my wool pads from Vintage Trailer Supply (just sayin' not knocking Harbor Freight)

You will likely want to get a Cyclo for the final finish. I use pre-cut jersey (sweatshirt) material over foam pads on the Cyclo. I can't remember where on the net I bought them though. Of course you can by the material and cut it yourself.

I have been using various types of Nuvite on my '99 Safari and have been happy with the results. Just bear in mind that it goes slow and will take many hours. Also, bear in mind that on your '92 you won't get (just like me) the super mirror finish like the older trailers that have Alclad Aluminum, but it will still polish up very nicely. Note also that the end caps will not polish out as much the sides.

See the attachments for a couple of pics....

Taylormade · 10-01-2013, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryano

make sure you get the extended warranty. FYI i went through 2 of them within 3-4 hours of polishing. I ended up buying a Dewalt...

For the record, I have a $30 HF polisher that I bought the $5 warranty on because I read a few threads saying I'd need it. Turns out I've polished my 31' AS, my 22' boat (twice) and lent it to several people with no issues at all. YMMV

ryano · 10-02-2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeGe

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. Headed to harbor freight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylormade

For the record, I have a $30 HF polisher that I bought the $5 warranty on because I read a few threads saying I'd need it. Turns out I've polished my 31' AS, my 22' boat (twice) and lent it to several people with no issues at all. YMMV

I am just saying to get the extended warranty. Some have had success like you and others like me havent