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08-17-2011, 03:37 PM
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#1
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Interior aluminum type on 71'
Anyone know the the type of aluminum used on the 71's
Will it polish ok?
If I decide to reskin with new material is there a preference on aluminum type?
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08-17-2011, 04:01 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkspeed
Anyone know the the type of aluminum used on the 71's
Will it polish ok?
If I decide to reskin with new material is there a preference on aluminum type?
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2024T3 .032 thickness on the sides and roof.
It will polish to a mirror shine.
Why would you want to reskin?
Andy
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08-17-2011, 04:05 PM
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#3
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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I think it is 5053. It was vinyl covered so it would not matter what alloy it is. If you want shine, you want Alclad. Please tell them Frank' Trailer Works sent you and make sure to order it with the plastic cover sheet(1000% worth the extra money)
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08-17-2011, 04:23 PM
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#4
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Well I'm going to end up with a lot of holes to patch from removing the furnace , lp fridge , battery comp , water heater, fresh water door, roof ac, etc
Thought it may look better to re skin
Had planned to do segmented panels to replace the fiberglass endcaps anyway.
I know some people had removed the vinyl and polished.
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08-17-2011, 04:28 PM
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#5
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
I think it is 5053. It was vinyl covered so it would not matter what alloy it is. If you want shine, you want Alclad. Please tell them Frank' Trailer Works sent you and make sure to order it with the plastic cover sheet(1000% worth the extra money)
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Thanks that is what I was guessing 5053..
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08-17-2011, 05:21 PM
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#6
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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It is only a guess. I base this on 5053 it the cheapest utility grade. Why clad something you would not see is my logic. This however is illogical due to the fact for years Airstream shot Zolatone over Alclad.
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08-17-2011, 05:27 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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However, when you have only one type of aluminum in the factory it is impossible to use the non alclad on the outside.
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
It is only a guess. I base this on 5053 it the cheapest utility grade. Why clad something you would not see is my logic. This however is illogical due to the fact for years Airstream shot Zolatone over Alclad.
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__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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08-17-2011, 05:29 PM
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#8
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Alclad is three layers. The outer two are almost pure aluminum. That is why it shines. Back or front, it is the same.
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08-17-2011, 07:03 PM
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#9
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
2024T3 .032 thickness on the sides and roof.
It will polish to a mirror shine.
Why would you want to reskin?
Andy
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Is it really alclad Andy?
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08-17-2011, 07:21 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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Me thinks he 'missed' the topic keyword aluminum, it was missing in the bulk of the text .. ..
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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08-17-2011, 07:29 PM
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#11
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Yes... Interior Aluminum Skin Material
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08-18-2011, 03:31 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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Shhh.. you'll hurt 'is feelings
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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08-18-2011, 10:47 AM
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#13
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Is there a way to find out what the factory used?
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08-18-2011, 02:40 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
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Hey, I'm interested in this too. I already got the Alclad part. How about thickness?
For an interior endcap?
How about if I was just reskinning over fiberglass for looks?
And now how about if I was mixing it with something else only available in .040? Too thick?
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08-18-2011, 03:56 PM
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#15
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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.032 is plenty thick. Sometimes thicker is easier to work since it does not fold over as easy, but .025 is a good working thickness for the interior..
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08-18-2011, 05:21 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
.032 is plenty thick. Sometimes thicker is easier to work since it does not fold over as easy, but .025 is a good working thickness for the interior..
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Hmmm.. I think it's finally time to invest in some air-powered shears. My aviation snips aren't going to "cut it".
Thanks!
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08-18-2011, 05:51 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,060
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A nibbler for curves using a rounded guide bar made out of thin plywood worked for me - except beware the working punch head will drift off true (eccentric) so its cutter handle has to swing around to always maintain evenly a 90° angle at the cutter head relative to the curve... no fun when it wavers or binds up.
Also, be selective on the true air shears by inspecting that the cutter fits snuggly in the outer brace fingers before you buy it, I had to return the first one I bought as it had too much play and made sloppy-angry looking cuts... And use a clamped guide bar for everything!!
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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08-18-2011, 07:33 PM
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#18
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Scott
1971 31' Excella 500
Defiance
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
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not really
A bit about aluminum sheet. 2024 is a stronger alloy with a lot of copper, which makes it heat treatable and why it is used for aircraft skin, the most common. It is, however, not at all good for polishing unless it is clad. It is also not weldable. I would be surprised if it is used on the Airstream exterior skins. The alloys we polish in Aerospace are typically 5000 series and 7000 series. They have zinc which is part of what makes them polish well. 5083 polishes very well. in my former job we polished it a lot, and made body panels for Aston Martin, Morgan, and the Ford GT from it. Some aluminum alloys do NOT have to be alclad to be polishable. However, certain alloys that do not polish well in the base material, need a layer of pure aluminum (alclad) so that it polishes well and it also helps with corrosion prevention (eg 2024). 5000 series does pretty well avoiding corrosion without needing to be clad. 5052 is another common alloy. i don't think it polishes as well as 5083. 3000 series is almost pure aluminum. it polishes well but is not very strong, mostly in tensile. Old Shelby Cobras would be made from a 3000 series. Easy to form but not strong. Flexural strength or stiffness, crumple resistance, is a concern for body panels. if you need to cold form the metal into contoured shapes, 3000 series is the most ductile but again, not as strong as you might want.
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08-18-2011, 07:35 PM
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#19
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Scott
1971 31' Excella 500
Defiance
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
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oops.. .1000 series is more like pure aluminum. soft. but 3000 is also quite soft
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08-22-2011, 05:29 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
grants pass
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 262
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trimming alclad
does anyone have any experience cutting the aluminum with the "Klenk K-12" shear ? I am looking for a good cheap way to trim this stuff for interior use.My tin snip and shear collection isn't "cutting-it"
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