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07-29-2014, 07:33 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member 
1968 24' Tradewind
omaha
, Nebraska
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 17
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Is it ok to only strip clear coat and not polish?
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?
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07-29-2014, 07:51 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member 
1977 27' Overlander
1996 34' Excella
Florida Panhandle
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 372
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Glad you asked this, I've been wondering the same thing.
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The Evans' Family
Florida Panhandle
1977 Overlander / 27' ~ The Attitude Adjuster
1997 Airstream Excella / 34' ~ The Sane Asylum
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07-29-2014, 07:55 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,053
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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
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Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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10-07-2014, 04:30 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member 
1971 23' Safari
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 55
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Should not be , most are running around with no clear coat on top for many years ; like mine.
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10-07-2014, 04:45 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 5,705
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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
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10-07-2014, 05:23 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member 
1972 29' Ambassador
grants pass
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 261
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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.
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1972 Ambassador Itn'l 29'.Custom Interior
1987 Avion 34X
1985 Avion 30R
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10-07-2014, 05:48 PM
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#7
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Rivet Monster

1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,174
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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
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....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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10-07-2014, 05:52 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 

1966 22' Safari
Weatherford
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,475
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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.
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10-07-2014, 06:35 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member 
1965 26' Overlander
Tulsa
, Oklahoma
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 362
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There is No quick way to polish an airstream!! It might look decent once stripped - Brian
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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10-07-2014, 06:58 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member 
1971 23' Safari
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 55
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Is it ok to only strip clear coat and not polish?
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.
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10-07-2014, 07:06 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2008 28' International
Venice
, Florida
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 647
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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.
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Bill and Janice, We're lovin' it! (Airstreaming)
Airdreamers
WBCCI #8880
AIR #41310
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10-07-2014, 07:25 PM
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#12
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King of the Zebra Speedo
Obrien
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,439
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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...
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Somebody ought to clean these windows. There is a tremendous buildup of gook all over them...
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10-07-2014, 07:51 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member 
1971 23' Safari
Nashville
, Tennessee
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 55
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Is it ok to only strip clear coat and not polish?
Why not at least polish a little , not much more work than waxing ?
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10-09-2014, 09:34 AM
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#14
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New Member
1991 34' Limited
NeenaH
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
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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
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