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03-02-2019, 10:07 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2018 27' International
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 72
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Pitting on exterior grab handle
Our 15-month old Serenity has pitting on the exterior grab handle next to the door. Is this a "sigh and let it go" item, or something for which I should request replacement under warranty? Seems like for almost $100K they should be using stainless steel, but there are a lot of "seems like they should" things on our list.
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03-02-2019, 10:26 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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Steel on aluminum would cause galvanic corrosion. I've seen some posts here on how to sand and polish the handle. I think you have to remove the protective coating, sand, then polish. It would be better to search the forum for the topic to see how they do it.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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03-02-2019, 02:32 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Hendersonville
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,092
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Pitting on grab handle
Our 2017 Int. Serenity 23D has the same thing on the grab handle. At JC for some warranty work the Tech said "They all do that" and to replace the handle requires some major surgery. I am going to very carefully remove the clearcoat on mine and polish it. Then I will try to apply a new coat of clearcoat. If it does it again I will just live with it. We do not live in a high salt environment and I have Wal-ben-ized the entire coach several times. Just one of those things we have to live with.
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03-02-2019, 03:51 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,554
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Salt air is not necessary to stimulate corrosion of the handle. Sweat from your hands contains abundant salt. So, when you use the handle, you can easily be putting a salty coating on it.
Tim
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03-02-2019, 04:09 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2018 28' Flying Cloud
Chapin
, South Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 312
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Our 1 yr old 2018 also has a corroded looking handle. When the trailer we bought was transported from the factory in Ohio to the dealer in CA during the winter, it evidently was pulled through some pretty nasty weather, based on the looks of the under carriage they didn't clean. I had assumed my corrosion was due to the road salts from that trip, but sounds like more of a common issue. Probably nothing some metal polish, elbow grease, a slow camping afternoon, and a couple of cold beers can't fix. Sorry others have same issue, but glad to know it's not just me.
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03-02-2019, 04:47 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
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I think it's a common issue and I don't see how to replace mine without major surgery.
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03-02-2019, 05:22 PM
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#7
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Been there...done that.
Both on the door handle and battery door frames.
On the handle just sand the old clear off with course to 1500 wet paper, polish with a good metal polish, I use 3m when needed.👍
The frames took a lot longer but basically the same procedure 'cept for the scraper, progressive sanding followed by a good polish...I did not re-clear.😚
Good Luck...
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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03-03-2019, 10:50 AM
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#8
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New Member
1998 25' Excella
Lynden
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 2
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Sometimes pitting results from the inside out when unlike metals react. If the metal is cast aluminum, it’s quality matters greatly. Highest quality cast aluminum has a very low copper content, less than .1%. Only a wanna be airstreamer at this point I can’t speak for how these handles were made. Bit given their shape I suspect they are cast ‘something’. Coming from the lighting Industry the issue of pitting aluminum is one subject upon which I’m all too familiar.
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03-03-2019, 11:39 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Elgin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 74
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I have a 2018 Flying Cloud 30 ft. Experiencing the same light corrosion/pitting on the outdoor handle. Just finished polishing it out. It cleaned up quite well. Caz.
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03-03-2019, 01:36 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2018 28' Flying Cloud
Clayton
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 400
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My 2018 AS developed this corrosion when only six months old. I just polish it regularly with Flitz or Simechrome polish. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
__________________
Erik & Carol
Clayton, Georgia
AS: 2018 Flying Cloud 28 "Baby Zeppelin"
TV: 2017 Ford F250 Lariat w/ Blue Ox Sway Pro
AIRForums #126944 WBCCI #1297
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03-03-2019, 08:05 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
Lady Lake
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,159
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Polished
Ours was delivered pitted just one month from the factory delivery. JC said when you visit we will change it out and the tail light frames. I heard it can be done but its a chore?
OCD boy could not handle that wait. So started a week of one hour per day polishing. Slowly to remove the clear coat then the pitting. Now it's a light metal polish every couple weeks and then a coat of wax to treat it.
It felt bad and it looked horrible cutting through the clear coat. Once through the clear it shines pretty nice. Some just let it go calling it a weathered patina.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uraljohn
Our 2017 Int. Serenity 23D has the same thing on the grab handle. At JC for some warranty work the Tech said "They all do that" and to replace the handle requires some major surgery. I am going to very carefully remove the clearcoat on mine and polish it. Then I will try to apply a new coat of clearcoat. If it does it again I will just live with it. We do not live in a high salt environment and I have Wal-ben-ized the entire coach several times. Just one of those things we have to live with.
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03-03-2019, 08:11 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2022 20' Basecamp
1968 17' Caravel
Los Osos
, California
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 613
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I've had three new Airstreams in the last 10 years. The door grab corroded on all three after just a few months. It actually makes for a grippier surface.
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03-05-2019, 10:40 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
1976 31' Excella 500
1974 31' Excella 500
1975 24' Argosy 24
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uraljohn
Our 2017 Int. Serenity 23D has the same thing on the grab handle. At JC for some warranty work the Tech said "They all do that" and to replace the handle requires some major surgery.
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This and virtually every other response in the thread... why doesn't Airstream listen and fix things like this?! If it happens to THEM ALL, do something different!
__________________
25' 1972 Airstream Trade Wind Land Yacht (heavily customized)
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD (diesel)
BeahmStream.com
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03-05-2019, 11:11 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2018 27' International
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 72
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Indeed! Wouldn't a high nickel stainless steel handle and a simple rubber gasket solve the problem?
I'm fine with doing regular maintenance, but stripping and re-coating the dang handle every year is outside of that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kidjedi
This and virtually every other response in the thread... why doesn't Airstream listen and fix things like this?! If it happens to THEM ALL, do something different!
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03-05-2019, 11:44 AM
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#15
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
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Re-coating...why?
A 5min polish on an uncoated handle is all that's required.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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03-05-2019, 02:54 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Hm.
Shiny handle: Grab, use to assist self up step into door opening.
Not-so-shiny handle: Grab, use to assist self up step into door opening.
Even though I'm the Overkill Engineering Department head, it seems to be working just fine in either condition...I generally wipe the finger schmutz off the handle occasionally to keep it clean and easier to grip.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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03-05-2019, 04:57 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Newberg
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,052
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
Re-coating...why?
A 5min polish on an uncoated handle is all that's required.
Bob
🇺🇸
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This. ^^^
Mike
__________________
2015 27ft FC FB
WBCCI #3960
2019 F150 ecoboost
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03-13-2019, 09:35 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,423
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I would have thought that once polished, the handle could be masked off and a spray can of clear coat varnish or lacquer would seal it.
I used clear spray to seal the peeled clearcoat on my '89 and it is still there without further corrosion.
JCW
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03-13-2019, 10:06 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
2010 30' Flying Cloud
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 13
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I'm on my second airstream. The first one was an 2004 28 International CCD. Our current one is a 2010 Flying Cloud 30. Both developed a patina of corrosion around the door handle as well as the trim around the wheel wells. Both have developed itty bitty chicken feet on the body skin under the clear coat in some places. Both had corrosion on the tail light bezels. I frequently treat the uncoated aluminum surfaces and other metal bits with Corrosion X available at
Corrosion-x
All of these surfaces can be maintained and renewed over time with preventive care and eventually, some stripping and reapplication of clear coat.
Except for the chassis and the windows, the whole exterior is mostly aluminum. It's going to corrode over time. It will still last you 50+ years with good care even with some surface corrosion. I would recommend you make your peace with it, because it happens to all of them sooner or later.
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03-13-2019, 08:05 PM
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#20
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1 Rivet Member
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Medina
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 12
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Maybe the television show, Forged In Fire, could make us some better handles?
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