We have an '02 Classic with a few such spots. Would recommend contacting Dick McIntyre (888 912-9572) out in Oregon. He was immensely helpful in repairing our skin problem, advising on future problems and providing material to remedy them. He's getting on in years. Haven't spoken with him in three years now, so don't know if hes still available...but if he is, he is THE guy to talk to. He knows Airstreams stem to stern from way back when to now. Very knowlegeable, pleasant and helpful -- just what we needed when we saw that first bubble on our new finish. Cheers.
Brian and Terri Davern
NWClassic: Actually, I had already contacted Dick per the advice of someone else on this very thread. Dick in Oregon was "stunning" like he called me back a week later to see how I had made out, and as a matter of fact I just called him back today. Final status, went to Sherwin Williams per his advice and picked up Sem Solve Product number 38371 (he actually advised a slightly different product but very close). Anyway, SemSolve removed everything and left the clear coat in its original condition. All that was left was my thumbnail spot, and I promptly said ok, I am covering that little beauty mark with a silver turtle. Done, (with a few more turtles) and they are all out of wind flow.
Happy campers now.
Great forum, and thanks again to Mr. McIntyre in Oregon (and all of you for your help)
OpenHigher -- Glad to hear that Dick McIntyre is well and still available (I knew he'd be good help if you could contact him). Further, very glad to hear that your 'skin' problems are cleared up. Yes, the forum has lots of knowlegeable and helpful folks. Happy camping this summer.
Brian and Terri Davern
To return for a moment to spot touchup, our 2002 Bambi has a small spot where the Alcoa coating has peeled and diligent touchup of the spot with a little automotive clearcoat has prevented any corrosion from starting. The spot is next to the door handle and the coating was probably damaged a little when the hole for the handle was cut. I think getting the unprotected aluminum sealed up as soon as possible is critical to stopping further peeling.
In another thread about Gord's Polish, I mentioned working on an old aluminum rowboat. An effort to understand the problems related to painting that aluminum boat has led to my great appreciation of Alcoa's and Airstream's efforts to have, for aluminum, a transparent coating that holds up to anything. Aluminum just does not like to retain any coating except its own oxidation.
I don't know if the problem is with the aluminum, or the idea of clear coating bare metal.
Aluminum does accept paint. Aircraft are normally painted and they last a few years. But they use a process of alumiprep which etches the surface, alodyne which reacts with the surface giving a corrosion resistant surface, primer (greenish or yellowish, used to be zinc chromate, this may have changed), then color coat. These steps would not work for clear over shiny aluminum.
We washed our 2003 Safari 25SS for the first time yesterday. We've owned it for about 1 1/2 months now. Saw some peeling of the clear coat beginning on the back end, both street and curb sides, up on the top, at the panel edges. From all the posts, seems like an auto clear coat spray or paint will work the best. I want to prevent water and our air contaminents (So. CA air!) from making the problem worse and visable. Right now it's only seen when standing on the ladder. Thanks for the advice. Any other feedback would sure be appreciated!
I bought some automotive clear coat at Walmart. It's in one of those touch up bottles with a small brush attached to the cap. I had a small spot on the side up high close to the refrigerator vent. So far so good, we are on season 2 and the clear coat is still holding and the spot I touched up hasn't spread.
Jack
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Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500,'08 Vespa GTS 250
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From all the posts, seems like an auto clear coat spray or paint will work the best. I want to prevent water and our air contaminents (So. CA air!) from making the problem worse and visable. Right now it's only seen when standing on the ladder. Thanks for the advice. Any other feedback would sure be appreciated!
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