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Old 11-11-2013, 03:49 PM   #1
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Sources of 'factory' clear-coated aluminum?

So I am considering replacing my '70's era vinyl coated interior skins with the ever-popular shiny stuff. I reskinned my door with raw aluminum, and now have several blemishes and corroded spots on it where I bumped it with a sweaty shoulder and didn't realize my mistake until the damage was done. I am told that the interior skins that Airstream uses in the CCD version are rendered low maintenance by the fact that they have a factory clear-coat plastic adhered to them. Question is: does anyone know how to get hold of this material?
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Old 11-13-2013, 07:35 AM   #2
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I'm guessing that most people who go for the retrofit shiny look are using uncoated aluminum...
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Old 11-13-2013, 08:23 AM   #3
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Try waxing the skin as this should provide a barrier. Not much mind you but better then nothing.
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Old 11-13-2013, 08:36 AM   #4
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I am thinking of buying clean aluminum and coating it with this:

DiamondFinish Clear - Clear Coat - Non-Yellowing - High Gloss
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Old 11-13-2013, 09:36 AM   #5
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Hmmmm...might be worth some experimentation. I tried spraying my refinished emblems with some Rustoleum clear coat that made similar claims, and it really didn't stick to the raw metal very well.
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Old 11-13-2013, 12:46 PM   #6
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You can get the pre clear coated aluminum that Airstream uses from an Airstream dealer. It is the same 5052 .040" sheet on both the interior and exterior. Not sure how much it costs, however.
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Old 11-13-2013, 03:42 PM   #7
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TOP you sure the outer skin is 5052? That stuff is butter soft.

Perry

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You can get the pre clear coated aluminum that Airstream uses from an Airstream dealer. It is the same 5052 .040" sheet on both the interior and exterior. Not sure how much it costs, however.
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Old 11-14-2013, 01:40 PM   #8
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Yipes--just talked to a dealer, and the price they quoted for the coated aluminum is over 5x what I would pay for the raw sheet--Ouch!
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Old 11-14-2013, 02:26 PM   #9
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I found a local supplier of 5052 that says they can "permanently" laminate the aluminum with PVC. Anyone out there had any experience with PVC coated aluminum?
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Old 11-14-2013, 03:55 PM   #10
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Just a suggestion… Get the uncoated aluminum, cut it to fit, punch holes where holes need to be, THEN get it laminated. That way, the cut edges and edges of the holes are also coated. That's one of the failings of the original clear-coated aluminum; it's coated before being cut and drilled, and that leaves exposed unprotected edges that lead to filliform corrosion.
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Old 11-21-2013, 01:35 PM   #11
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Well, that was a wash. Turns out the PVC coating that they put on the sheet aluminum is just there temporarily to keep the sheet from getting scratched. Its not meant to stay on permanently as I was told over the phone. So I am back to considering putting on my own coating...
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Old 11-21-2013, 01:53 PM   #12
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I will run the test

I am at the point of doing the clear coat for the interior. I used 5052 with the clear final protective coating. I left it on as I cut, fit drilled and riveted in place. Now I will peal off the protective, temporary, coating. Clean the surface and try this Diamond Bright. It is a gamble……here we go.
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Old 11-21-2013, 02:01 PM   #13
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Keep us posted--how did you find the 5052 was to work with. I understand that it is much more maleable than the 6061 T6 that I have used on the exterior. Makes me worry that I will accidentally bend it during installation. How do you intend to spread the coating (brush, roll, spray)? I used a wool pad to spread poly on a hardwood floor, and that worked pretty good on the horizontal wooden surface...
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Old 11-21-2013, 02:18 PM   #14
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Was that "Diamond Bright" or Diamond Finish mentioned in post #4?
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Old 12-11-2013, 07:22 AM   #15
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Melody-Ranch--any progress on your clear coating?
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Old 12-11-2013, 07:27 AM   #16
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Waiting or the weather

I have the coating and am waiting for a reasonable weather day. Looks like next weekend….
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Old 12-11-2013, 07:39 AM   #17
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I am not sure if this helps, but I was talking to our trailer mechanic about replacing the internal skin as well.

He was experimenting with material originally developed for kitchen cabinet use. He showed me several samples, they came in different colours as well as brushed and shiny aluminum look. I can't remember the brand, but they looked fantastic.

It saw this at CanAm, they were outfitting a 34' with it. Maybe if you call them they can point you in the right direction.
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Old 12-19-2013, 11:59 AM   #18
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work in progress

This is a follow up on the Diamond Brite use.
Good news and Bad news.
I pulled the coating off the aluminum panels. NOTE: It was a problem getting all of the protective sheet off around the rivets. I had installed the panels with the coatings in place (a good idea) to protect from scuffing. It is just a problem to pull it off later.

At the companies (KBS) recommendation I used a small roller and good brush to apply the coating. It self levels very well.

Coating tends to sag, even with thin coats. Because of that I tried to use thin swipes with my roller, going back over a few times. Good results….But, this may be the cause of my major problem

The major problem appeared about half way thru the job. I saw some thin areas as I used a light to scan the work. When I went and re rolled the areas I immediately had a surface defect appear. I don't know what, and the Company Tech is working with me now. I will follow up here.

The end coating is tock hard and will be a problem to fix. Lets see the results.
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Old 12-19-2013, 12:35 PM   #19
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Yikes!
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Old 12-19-2013, 02:35 PM   #20
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Back in early November I swapped some emails with the tech people at Diamond Brite. I was considering their clear product to repair the failing clear coat on my Excella. They advise me that I would not be happy with the results if I rolled or brushed it on. They told me that unless I was set up to spray, the surface would sag, run, and have an uneven appearance. I backed away from that.

I will be experimenting with the clear coat in a rattle can sold by Airstream. When I get started, I will start a new thread documenting my progress. I hope to get started early next year. This is a link to the product I am using;
Clear Acrylic Spray 28174W [28174W] - $17.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!
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