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Old 03-02-2019, 10:07 AM   #1
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2018 27' International
Seattle , Washington
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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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Old 03-02-2019, 10:26 AM   #2
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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.
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Old 03-02-2019, 02:32 PM   #3
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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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Old 03-02-2019, 03:51 PM   #4
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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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Old 03-02-2019, 04:09 PM   #5
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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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Old 03-02-2019, 04:47 PM   #6
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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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Old 03-02-2019, 05:22 PM   #7
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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...

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Old 03-03-2019, 10:50 AM   #8
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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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Old 03-03-2019, 11:39 AM   #9
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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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Old 03-03-2019, 01:36 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 03-03-2019, 08:05 PM   #11
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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.


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Originally Posted by uraljohn View Post
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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Old 03-03-2019, 08:11 PM   #12
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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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Old 03-05-2019, 10:40 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uraljohn View Post
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.
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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Old 03-05-2019, 11:11 AM   #14
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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.

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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!
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Old 03-05-2019, 11:44 AM   #15
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Re-coating...why?
A 5min polish on an uncoated handle is all that's required.

Bob
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Old 03-05-2019, 02:54 PM   #16
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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.
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Old 03-05-2019, 04:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
Re-coating...why?
A 5min polish on an uncoated handle is all that's required.

Bob
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This. ^^^

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Old 03-13-2019, 09:35 AM   #18
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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.
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Old 03-13-2019, 10:06 AM   #19
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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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Old 03-13-2019, 08:05 PM   #20
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Maybe the television show, Forged In Fire, could make us some better handles?
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