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redthies · 06-20-2016, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Lynch

That scratch on the side will polish out but you want someone to do it with repainting the damaged clear coat. Otherwise moisture will get under there and strip the clear coat off in very little time.

You will want to be careful when trying to "polish" out that scratch. You can very easily damage the mill finish around it, wich changes the look of the aluminum. You will go from the frying pan into the fire quickly. Since yours is a '14, I'd be talking to a dealership about the proper way to deal with the scratch, or, just live with it. That might be the safest bet.

FCStreamer · 06-20-2016, 08:33 AM

Called a mobile service guy. They can't come out until next Wednesday. So nine days awning less to contemplate whether I really want/need an awning or not. They will quote me a repair with and without the stainless steel hardware.

Expensive lesson learned. Will post back what they say.

Cannonball · 06-20-2016, 08:57 AM

For my money, Airstream could omit the awning and charge less. Make it an option. In 21/2 years of ownership, I bet our awning has not been deployed more than 5-6 hours. Guaranteed, if I bring it out the wind will immediately pick up. If it is sunny, it will start raining. If it is raining, it will turn to sleet.

Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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Boom Sounds · 06-20-2016, 09:07 AM

You should be able to repair the awning. Make sure you use hi tensile steel bolts when you put it back together; the ones zipdee used are very poor and one snapped on me. It's easier to rewind it with three people, be careful, it's under mucho pressure. Save the beers till afterwards. Zipdee spares site is good, just make sure you ID the year, they changed it in lates 80s (I think)

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LAWBC · 06-20-2016, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redthies

You will want to be careful when trying to "polish" out that scratch. You can very easily damage the mill finish around it, wich changes the look of the aluminum. You will go from the frying pan into the fire quickly. Since yours is a '14, I'd be talking to a dealership about the proper way to deal with the scratch, or, just live with it. That might be the safest bet.

Totally agree, I have done furniture finishing over the years and when you break into the clear coat using an abrasive you will haze the surrounding area even if you get to the aluminum and polish out the scratch. Maybe see your dealer about what they recommend. If you are concerned about possible corrosion in the future because the clear coat is damaged, this could be solved by shooting a clear coat over the area then polishing it out.

Echelon73 · 06-24-2016, 08:53 AM

Sorry to hear about your trouble with your awning. We love our Airstream, but I have to admit our awning is a real disappointment. The 30ft models have a huge awning, too long for one continual piece in my opinion. Ours does not handle wind very well at all. I see all types of other RVs with their awnings out when we go to the beach, but we do not even try to open ours as we know it will get ripped off. If the wind picks up we are always the first to roll our awning up and we never leave it unattended.

FCStreamer · 07-01-2016, 03:14 PM

Well, the repair estimate is in. Around $50 for the part and a couple hours labor @ $100/hr to reassemble everything. Sigh. Expensive lesson. But it could have been worse.

Glad to be Airstreaming!

djarrett · 07-01-2016, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

Well, the repair estimate is in. Around $50 for the part and a couple hours labor @ $100/hr to reassemble everything. Sigh. Expensive lesson. But it could have been worse.

Glad to be Airstreaming!

If I were in your shoes (since you have a late model), I would plan a trip to the factory to repair the panel. File a claim. They just did some repairs on mine due to some road debris, and the folks at Jackson Center are fantastic.
Based on some of the other repairs being done there that were somewhat similar in nature, that panel replacement will probably be around $4500 and up. (completely a guess).

D

badkat · 07-01-2016, 05:48 PM

Last September I was sitting under our Zip Dee then a 5 minute micro burst came thru. No time to get it completely in and the claws broke and seams popped. Our insurance replaced 2 awnings with a $500 deductible. We did get a little dent at end of roller but we let that go.

We were told never tie the awning down and the claws are made to break to lessen the damage. We now have 2 new awnings and it still scares me to put the big awning out. We never leave them out when we are not at home.

FCStreamer · 07-01-2016, 05:55 PM

LOL! Thanks, but for $4500 and a 1200 mile trip, I think I will live with the scratch. It give my AS more "character".

djarrett · 07-01-2016, 09:42 PM

You may be able to find an experienced painless dent removal company that may be able to remove it.

FCStreamer · 07-02-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djarrett

You may be able to find an experienced painless dent removal company that may be able to remove it.

There is no dent. The scratch didn't even penetrate the aluminum. I'd call it a nasty scuff mark. I tried a couple of things but it's not coming out without a fight.

In December, when the temperatures get below 90, I may try again.

Protagonist · 07-02-2016, 10:35 AM

If the scratch has penetrated the clear coat, temporarily protect it by coating the scratch with clear fingernail polish. The polish can be easily removed later, but will prevent water from penetrating and causing filiform corrosion.