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Rollster · 11-13-2012, 06:33 AM

Good morning,

We are soon to be the proud owners of a 2006 Safari 25FB SE! Does anybody have or know of a good, reasonable source for a custom cloth cover? We want to protect our new travelling home but don't have room for inside storage. Also, can anyone advise on how to protect the exterior finish? Should it be waxed, and if so, what product can you recommend? Thanks so much!

ROBERT CROSS · 11-13-2012, 07:17 AM

Rollster,

A good cover discussion here....

I use Griot's Sealer to protect the exterior, once a year works for me...The Spray-on wax is also very good for touch-up's.

Great products along with superior customer service.

And the Car Wash and Micro-Fiber Pole to wash...Always use microfiber towels.

Outside storage since new....

Sweet Streams...

Bob

Lumatic · 11-13-2012, 07:19 AM

Most streamers agree a cover is a bad idea because it can damage the aluminum and the finish

Inland RV Center, In · 11-13-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollster

Good morning,

We are soon to be the proud owners of a 2006 Safari 25FB SE! Does anybody have or know of a good, reasonable source for a custom cloth cover? We want to protect our new travelling home but don't have room for inside storage. Also, can anyone advise on how to protect the exterior finish? Should it be waxed, and if so, what product can you recommend? Thanks so much!

Covering your Airstream, will absolutely ruin the exterior paint and metal in many places.

As the wind blows, the cover will flutter, which is like sand paper to the finish.

The best cover is inside a building, or under a roof.

Should you use the cover, and find that the exterior as been damaged, your insurance company will NOT pay for it, since the damage would not be sudden, accidental and direct, but it would be "LONG" term, which is specifically excluded.

Andy

nsbcpa · 11-13-2012, 09:39 AM

@ Rollster

Did you get the 25 in Ponte Vedra that was listed in the classifieds?

Congrats on the purchase

Rollster · 11-13-2012, 06:09 PM

Thanks all for the information; I am very glad I didn't buy a cover! I will check into the sealant that you recommended, Bob.

jm2 · 11-27-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I use Griot's Sealer to protect the exterior, once a year works for me...The Spray-on wax is also very good for touch-up's.

Robert,

what do you use to apply the Griot Sealer? by hand or machine?

thanks!

ROBERT CROSS · 11-27-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm2

Robert,

what do you use to apply the Griot Sealer? by hand or machine?

thanks!

Porter Cable 6" random orbital polisher. Ck Amazon & ebay for the best $$$.
Basically the same as Griot's sells.

Bob

jdalrymple · 11-27-2012, 03:08 PM

We spent the money on a carport for our trailer. It is one of the "portable" types, so no worries about building codes. Thankfully our subdivision allows them too.

Best money I have spent. No worries about long-term unseen leaks, sun damage and the other outdoor storage issues.

I tried a cover on an SOB fifth wheel once, and paid for a new rubber roof out of pocket. I'll never do that again.

Regards,

JD

DaveFL · 11-27-2012, 03:26 PM

My cover(plastic tarp on frame) keeps the sun off, but it still manages to get a tremendous amount of airborne dirt. Last year I did a good scrub down of roof and applied floor wax(excelon Home Depot), this year most of the dirt washed off. I would think you would have more problem with salt air, lots of fresh water rinses should help after the waxing.

Silver Otter · 11-28-2012, 07:54 AM

Rollster,
All good advice above. Welcome Aboard! You're only a short pull away from Santa Rosa Beach. We'd love to see your unit (and about 70 others Airstreams) so we're going over to The Canopener [http://www.airforums.com/forums/f288...-a-87328.html] just after New Years. How about you?

Rollster · 11-28-2012, 03:31 PM

Hi nsbcpa,

Yes, we purchased the 25-foot Safari from Ponte Vedra that you asked about. We went camping over Thanksgiving and felt like we were living in luxury (which we were!) after our former 17-foot trailer. We are still figuring everything out, but love the Airstream. Are you the ones who were looking to upgrade to a larger trailer?

Rollster · 11-28-2012, 03:37 PM

Hi Silver Otter,

Thanks for the invitation! We are trying to make plans to camp again in December and were actually looking at the Topsail Beach park, but it will have to be before the new year due to my job. It looks like a great event - I love the "CanOpener" idea! Have you been to the Topsail State Park before, and if so, what are your impressions?

Silver Otter · 11-29-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollster

Hi Silver Otter,

Thanks for the invitation! We are trying to make plans to camp again in December and were actually looking at the Topsail Beach park, but it will have to be before the new year due to my job. It looks like a great event - I love the "CanOpener" idea! Have you been to the Topsail State Park before, and if so, what are your impressions?

Well, Topsail is the second or third best park we've used in the past 40,000 miles and 39 states and provinces. Camp in the circle with numbers 101 and higher. We love 144 in the upper corner, so close to everything else. It's a great destination park.

Don't miss visiting the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. To get there, skip U.S. 98. Go up-and-over on I-10. You'll be glad you did.

AWCHIEF · 11-29-2012, 10:12 AM

Canopener 2013 currently has 72 Airstreams registered. That will be more Airstreams than I have ever seen in one place.

Rollster · 11-29-2012, 12:48 PM

Super - thanks for the information! Enjoy your "CanOpener" and the new year!

Wildkittens · 12-24-2012, 07:35 AM

I'd like to ask a related question about exterior waxing. We own a 2002 Bambi, and we were really good about waxing it once a year for a while. It's been 2 years since the last wax, and although we know we should keep up with this maintenance, it's another chore to squeeze into our busy lives. How important is an annual waxing? Will we do any permanent damage if we ignore this? We live in a dry climate in southern Arizona.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-24-2012, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildkittens

I'd like to ask a related question about exterior waxing. We own a 2002 Bambi, and we were really good about waxing it once a year for a while. It's been 2 years since the last wax, and although we know we should keep up with this maintenance, it's another chore to squeeze into our busy lives. How important is an annual waxing? Will we do any permanent damage if we ignore this? We live in a dry climate in southern Arizona.

Wk,

I will refer you back to post #2.....

I have used the sealer for the last 4yrs and feel it does a better job of "protection". If you clean well, clay bar use helps, and seal I think you'll have better UV protection, more important in your area.

This also helps in the UV area also....tires, skylight, vent covers, AC cover, window stone guards.

Bob

Inland RV Center, In · 12-24-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildkittens

I'd like to ask a related question about exterior waxing. We own a 2002 Bambi, and we were really good about waxing it once a year for a while. It's been 2 years since the last wax, and although we know we should keep up with this maintenance, it's another chore to squeeze into our busy lives. How important is an annual waxing? Will we do any permanent damage if we ignore this? We live in a dry climate in southern Arizona.

Every state and climate is different.

Waxing frequently helps protect the finish.

Not waxing, obviously, offers no protection.

Andy