Argosy paint

Al1 · 07-12-2003, 11:57 AM

Any suggestions on repainting my 73 24' Argosy. What is the best primer for aluminum and/or steel end caps? What is the best type of finish coat to use?
Rather ask now than make the same mestakes that maybe someone else has.
Thanks,
Al1

COArgosy78 · 07-12-2003, 12:30 PM

Welcome Al1 - It has been noted several places here in the AS forum that Dupont seems to be the paint of choice, purchased from an auto retailer. I believe the paint code #'s are even listed in one of the posts if you want original colors. I would try using the search box and maybe the words Argosy and paint to see what comes up. Also, there is a forum named "all Argosy Trailers" that might be handy for all info related to the Argosy\ies. We have a 6.7 mitre Minuet and have really enjoyed reading what others have accomplished with theirs. Good luck on your restoration. Leigh

Midamrail · 07-12-2003, 02:39 PM

We used DuPont Imron on a 1977 Argosy belonging to my parents, who still live in Versailles, OH, where the Argosy trailers and MHs were built. Imron is a high-quality enamel often used on railroad cars and locomotives as well as some fleet-type vehicles. It takes a slightly different technique to spray it, but it's relatively easy to use as far as enamels go. A key to using it is to use a pretty high volume of air through the gun and to of course use adequate respirators and ventilation.

It holds up well, is fairly chip-resistant, and most importantly, holds a shine longer than most paints. The color codes can be found by searching Tom Patterson's VAC List archives, and our DuPont distributor had no problem in getting a good color match.

It's not inexpensive, but our feeling is that if you go through the grief of prepping one for painting, you had might as well spend the extra bucks on good paint. The end result on my parents' trailer was unbelievable - it looks almost better than new.

**CanoeStream** · 12-16-2003, 11:06 PM

Is anybody experiencing paint breakdown at the junction of the end caps (galvanized steel) and the body skin (aluminum)? I've got to take a closer look to see if the two metals have a buffer material between them to avoid galvanic reaction. There's not really any significant rust here. There is a similar problem at the rear.

I am looking for suggestions on how to prepare the surfaces and how to prime galvanized steel. Thoughts?

Thank you!

thenewkid64 · 12-17-2003, 06:02 AM

Canoe,

That is a typical problem. It is a galvanic reaction. As far as I know there is only vulcem there, but it is not in place like a barrier, the metals do touch. I doubt that it can ever be stopped. Only controlled. Depending on how the rest of your paint is holding up and the shop involved you may be able to get just the caps redone to match the rest of the coach and not have the expense of the complete repaint.

Chas · 12-17-2003, 07:38 AM

It's agreed,

I think it's just bad Vulkem caused by a bit of surface rust, or rust caused by bad Vulkem.

Do you notice it at the roof where the galv caps meets the aluminum? Probably not. I just wire brushed the areas good, primed them with an epoxy primer, re-Vulkemed them and then painted them.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over the problem, all the Argosy's I've seen had the same thing going on.

76ArgosyDave · 05-27-2005, 01:43 PM

I tried to order the Dupont Imron paint today for my argosy i used the code 44534-A and he said it was an off white color but it was not in the imron line. It was in the centari line ( or something like that) which isnt as tough.

He said to bring the trailer by and he will color scan it. What should I do cus i want to paint the front cap but im not ready to move the trailer yet. I dont know if it helps that Im in Canada. I dont know if the paint codes are different here.

Thanks for any help.

rluhr · 05-27-2005, 03:13 PM

We used PPG Paint on Project Vintage Thunder. You'll see we didn't bother to try to match original color! My second choice was a metallic champagne color, which I think would be very beautiful on an Argosy.

One of the nice things about Argosies is that you can make them any color you want. Unless you're going for a vintage look, why not update the color a bit?

Inland RV Center, In · 05-27-2005, 03:24 PM

The front caps on the old Argosy trailers was made from steel and the galvanized.

Unfortunately, the original primer did not last very long.

The fix is not a big problem, but, it must be done as follows or a failure will soon appear again.

Strip off all the old paint.

Remove all the corrosion.

Carefully wipe the exposed metal with metal prep, allow it to slightly etch the galvanized and/or bare metal.

Rinse and rinse and rinse the caps, extremely well.

Prime them with a top grade primer, such as a good epoxy primer. Excellent primers are rarely in a spray can.

Two or three coats of primer are the best.

Then you can apply a high grade automotive paint.

Centari paint works well. The color code for Dupont is 44534A, and is called a light beige.

That color is not available in an Imron code.

Andy

gotair · 06-09-2005, 12:48 AM

Quote:

One of the nice things about Argosies is that you can make them any color you want. Unless you're going for a vintage look, why not update the color a bit?

mr "R" , looking at the argosy I don't see the aluminum belt line or netal trim that rap's around the trailer about mid way up.... were there any problems with the removal of it...I kinda thought it was covering an overlap or seam or something... I once had an semi nice 72 chevy p'up and it had the beltline which I removed because it was more difficult to keep the truck clean... ?

thenewkid64 · 06-09-2005, 06:44 AM

We removed the mid line belt rail from Vintage Thunder and filled the holes with Olympic rivets. It serves no real structural purpose from what we can tell. The newer Airstreams (CCD and Safari) have no mid line rail from the factory.

Anon · 06-09-2005, 03:44 PM

I think VT looks great.
Good going guys!

juel · 06-09-2005, 06:08 PM

All right, here is the woman's point of view. I have a 78 24ft Argosy that is in pretty good shape, paint wise. I don't see the problem between the aluminum skin and the steel end caps on mine. What I did see was some pitting and rust on the top of the end caps. There was evidence of a dent on the left front. Someone had tried to repair it and had done a passable job. The paint was not a good match. I decided to sand off the old paint and repainted with Krylon Ivory Gloss. It is a perfect match and should serve me well until I decide to paint the entire Argosy professionally. Maybe I will find that this does not last; however, it is holding up very well through winter and hot sun in Oklahoma, so far. I will try to include a picture to show the perfect match.

juel · 06-09-2005, 06:10 PM

By the way, the gas bottles were painted with the same paint. You can see the match better there.