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rothway · 07-29-2014, 07:33 PM

I am stripping the clear coat on my 1971 25 foot Caravanner International tomorrow. I have 5 friends helping and we are using Aircraft Paint Remover. We will brush on the Aircraft paint remover then power wash off the clear coat. I do not plan on buffing for many months and wonder if this is a problem for possible rusting or??
For now, is there any quick and simple way to polish without taking 200 hours? Is there any quicker hand and towel polish that would work if I had just man power?

Paddledipper · 07-29-2014, 07:51 PM

Glad you asked this, I've been wondering the same thing.

Foiled Again · 07-29-2014, 07:55 PM

Avoid power washer - except perhaps on the lowest setting. Could create a host of small leaks.

Why not just slap a coat of wax on it after it's clean?

Paula

Hotlead · 10-07-2014, 04:30 PM

Should not be , most are running around with no clear coat on top for many years ; like mine.

perryg114 · 10-07-2014, 04:45 PM

It will turn gray and may get streaks or spots in it. I would not use the pressure washer. It will blast water into every crack and seam and push water past caulk and other seals. Several 1000 psi will cause lots of issues.

Perry

Airline · 10-07-2014, 05:23 PM

Also,
you might want to consider Citri Strip
It works great to pull the clearcoat and much safer for you,friends and animals walking in the area.

**wahoonc** · 10-07-2014, 05:48 PM

I only have clear coat on the bottom 4'-6' of mine. Been that way for years. Eventually I plan to finish the stripping. Someone suggested using Nev-R-Dull for polishing and just do a little bit at a time. Haven't given it a try yet, wanna be the guinea pig?

I would not use a pressure washer either, a regular hose with a good nozzle should be plenty. Citra Strip is a good idea too.

Aaron

mimiandrews · 10-07-2014, 05:52 PM

2024 alclad aluminum is self-protecting. The outer layer oxidizes to the familiar gray color, and then the oxidation layer itself becomes a protective coating. There is no harm in stripping the clear coat and then leaving it along, so long as you carefully remove all the stripper.

Cochese · 10-07-2014, 06:35 PM

There is No quick way to polish an airstream!! It might look decent once stripped - Brian

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Hotlead · 10-07-2014, 06:58 PM

Yup , polish on the way. From my experience Citristrip is useless. Maybe I did not have the right day temp wise , but otherwise , don't waste your time or money. Rustoleum Aircraft Remover ROCKS ! It worked in under 2 min for me. It was pretty much instant. It bubbles the clearcoat about 10 seconds after you pass the brush. Lay it on thick.

airdreamers · 10-07-2014, 07:06 PM

Check out Flitz used with a light duty ball buffer Demo on YouTube, search it! There is hearsay that there was or is a small sample in the newer Airstreams. I used it on my end cap, works great. Kleen stripper from Lowes.

Panama Red · 10-07-2014, 07:25 PM

Someone on here stripped their camper, then just waxed it... I'll try to find it. Said it still looked good after a year.

-Red, going to look up a thread...

Hotlead · 10-07-2014, 07:51 PM

Why not at least polish a little , not much more work than waxing ?

roohopper · 10-09-2014, 09:34 AM

cleaning with citri stipper then Buffing, not polishing, does work and looks great to have a look at this thread (parts of thread r so funny had to pick up self several times from carpet)
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f205...tml#post857709