Exterior paint

[dingaling]

I am contemplating buying a used 2005 airstream. It has been used commercially and has telephone numbers/advertising painted on the outside shell and door. Is it possible to remove this paint without it showing? Any suggestions???

Looking forward to being a part of this forum! I will have lots of questions about airstream!

[overlander63]

Hi, welcome to the forums.
I'm guessing your '05 is a trailer, though you didn't say. The only sure way I know to get rid of the ghost numbers is to have the trailer stripped and reclearcoated in the area with the lettering.

[solitaire]

I bought a 71 sovereign that was painted from head to toe with an oil based paint. I bought airplane paint remover. It is made to remove the paint and not harm the aircrafts aluminum skin.

[BobbyW]

Originally Posted by solitaire

I bought a 71 sovereign that was painted from head to toe with an oil based paint. I bought airplane paint remover. It is made to remove the paint and not harm the aircrafts aluminum skin.

But it will strip the Clearcoat and solitaire's is a 2005 which I don't think would want to strip that deep.

Try the 3M decal and pinstrip removal products and see if that will work.

[BobbyW]

I meant dingalings not solitaires unit.

[dingaling]

Originally Posted by BobbyW

But it will strip the Clearcoat and solitaire's is a 2005 which I don't think would want to strip that deep.

Try the 3M decal and pinstrip removal products and see if that will work.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am such a novice..... I will try the 3M products first (we did buy the unit and LOVE IT!) So if the clearcoat is stripped, what do you do then?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LaurieBruce

Thanks for the suggestion. I am such a novice..... I will try the 3M products first (we did buy the unit and LOVE IT!) So if the clearcoat is stripped, what do you do then?

If you wish to have a polished metal finish, that's great.

Unless you have a lot of time to wax it every month, don't.

You can clear coat the exterior again.

You cannot use any "automotive" clear.

Airstream has a 2 part clear coat that can be used.

Lastly, you can sand into the metal, and paint the trailer metallic silver.

If done correctly, the metallic silver will out last any clearcoat and is far move cost effective over time.

Andy

[dingaling]

So Andy, are you saying that I should not use the 3M product?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LaurieBruce

So Andy, are you saying that I should not use the 3M product?

It's risky, at best.

Try it in a "VERY" small spot, and see what happens.

Andy

[rmpray]

Hey there! Welcome aboard. I'll add do not discount Andy's thought about painting either. I've seen a rig painted in I think a Mercadies silver and it looked very sharp, you would not even know it had been painted. Living in Austin if you wanted to white top as well while you were there you would find that a major advantage in the summer...but the aluminum looks nice along the sides. Hard choince with a newer trailer but sometime ya just have to do what you are happiest with. I have used an aircraft epoxy paint many years ago on aluminum and was blown away by the look and the longevity. That gave me twenty plus years and that was on a boat!!! Not complicated to shoot either. Hope ta see you at the lakes...if I ever get my old beast road worthy again

Rob n Terry

[rmpray]

Oh, hey, if the price is right and my guess is the paint is impacting value, it might be perfect!