Blue Tape on rub rails

[cameront120]

Does anyone know where I can get the blue vinyl tape that is used on the rub rails at the floor seem and about mid-height on the 70's trailers? I'm starting to replace rivets and will eventually like to replace the blue striping. Thanks!

[Excella CM]

It's sold by the width and by the foot by Airstream dealers.

[Becky B.]

Inland RV has it too. Don't forget to caulk the rivets UNDER the rubrail & beltline when you have it off. I had some leaks through there that took me forever to find.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Inland RV has it too. Don't forget to caulk the rivets UNDER the rubrail & beltline when you have it off. I had some leaks through there that took me forever to find.

This is why I'm redoing the rivets at these locations. I want to be certain I'm not getting any water ingress at these points.

[dnrtheil]

Most sign shops can get rolls of stripping. Can also cut them down to any width.

[dwightdi]

The blue tape is not actually tape but an extrusion profike made from what I think is an EVA/ LDPE plastic compound. For some reason the material from Airstream is not very UV resistant and needs to be replace every 7 years or so with Midwest sun exposure. In Arizona it would not last as long.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

The blue tape is not actually tape but an extrusion profike made from what I think is an EVA/ LDPE plastic compound. For some reason the material from Airstream is not very UV resistant and needs to be replace every 7 years or so with Midwest sun exposure. In Arizona it would not last as long.

The stuff on my trailer is definitely tape. I've already removed some of it. Perhaps the extrusion was removed in the past and replaced with vinyl tape.

[mello mike]

I've never worked with this stuff, but is it self-adhesive?

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by mello mike

I've never worked with this stuff, but is it self-adhesive?

Mello Mike, the edge of the blue trim is rimmed slightly to fit inside the rib. What you do is get it started on one side and, push down under the top. The trim goes in as slick as can be. No glue~
For those thinking of using tapes, I would say, it's a poor economy to use that as this trim also helps to keep water from wicking into the trailer via the rivets.
The stuff is NOT cheap..Usually around 1.50$ per foot, depending on the width.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by cameront120

Does anyone know where I can get the blue vinyl tape that is used on the rub rails at the floor seem and about mid-height on the 70's trailers? I'm starting to replace rivets and will eventually like to replace the blue striping. Thanks!

Your trailer "did" have tape in all the moldings. It never had paint, or any other type insert.

Vinyl inserts for the moldings were not used until the 1974 models.

Instead of using tape, most owners of the 73 and older trailers, simply paint the center of the moldings blue.

If you wish to paint them, you must sand the center of the moldings, mask them off, apply primer paint, then blue paint, and then clear paint (not plasticoat).

That will last many years. The tape was good for maybe a year or two, and then fell apart.

Andy

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Your trailer "did" have tape in all the moldings. It never had paint, or any other type insert.

Vinyl inserts for the moldings were not used until the 1974 models.

Instead of using tape, most owners of the 73 and older trailers, simply paint the center of the moldings blue.

If you wish to paint them, you must sand the center of the moldings, mask them off, apply primer paint, then blue paint, and then clear paint (not plasticoat).

That will last many years. The tape was good for maybe a year or two, and then fell apart.

Andy

So, Andy. What about the tape used today? Will it last only a year or two like the older stuff? Do you recommend painting?

[cameront120]

Thanks Andy, I started second guessing myself and went home to double check. And, yes, it is indeed vinyl tape. I don't know the age of this tape, as I've had the trailer for 1 1/2 years. I think I'll look into painting.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mello mike

So, Andy. What about the tape used today? Will it last only a year or two like the older stuff? Do you recommend painting?

Painting will last a long time "IF" you prepare the surface properly and use a high quality paint.

20 years or more is certain.

Tape is tape is tape.

Tapes will last 3 to 5 years, maybe.

But think about what you have to do to install tape. You must drill out all the rivets, install the tape, find the original holes, and then reinstall the moldings with rivets.

Then consider yourself "lucky" if you can find a colored rivet that will match the tape color.

Installing tape over the rivets, is time and money tossed down the drain.

Bottom line?

Paint.

Andy

[Cos]

Where would one get the official blue paint used by Airstream? I can't think of anything blue on my 73 trailer that I can bring to the paint shop to match.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Cos

Where would one get the official blue paint used by Airstream? I can't think of anything blue on my 73 trailer that I can bring to the paint shop to match.

No such thing as an "official" blue.

We suggest a medium metallic blue, followed up with a clear coat over the blue.

Makes the blue look wet all the time.

Andy

[dnrtheil]

Most things last a long time "IF" you prepare correctly.

To paint aluminum you need to use a special aluminum primer not just any primer will work, if you are looking at longevity.

Vinyl tape, such as 2mil Hi-Performance, also used on exterior signs and vehicles will last 5-7 years and has no over spray to worry about. Vinyl tape will also go over rivets and many other items. When we wrap a whole vehicle with vinyl, we go over most items, even door handles/hinges.

Derek