Painting airstream red! - Page 4

Inland RV Center, In · 08-19-2004, 02:46 PM

FireFighter.

I don't have the answer to that one.

How about you asking Airstream and let us know?

Andy

malconium · 08-19-2004, 02:51 PM

Andy,

Let me propose a modification to the experiment as follows:

Figure out some place to mount your panels so that the back side is cooler than the top side. Maybe you could tape them to a piece of cardboard with holes cut out to fit them. The cardboard could be sized to fit into one of your office windows that has sun exposure. Open the window and insert the test panel in the opening so the outside is outside and the inside is inside. Measure the heat that gets through the panel to the inside of the building. I think that would more accurately approximate what happens with an air conditioned AS sitting out in the sun.

How about it?

Malcolm

59toaster · 08-19-2004, 03:13 PM

I agree. Not sure it needs to be in a window but a back side temp might be interesting.

I too am surprised by the results on the white. I didn't expect them to be much different then unpainted. Thats why I am curious if it be a different temperature from the back side.

As I recall form science class color is the reflection of light. Black does not reflect most of the light spectrum hence it's black color. White reflect the whole spectrum so it seems to me it should be nearly the same temp as the untreated.

Hope I got that right...

Anyway that is some interesting results.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-19-2004, 03:13 PM

Malcolm.

I don't have that kind of time.

How about you or someone else doing it?

Certainly, I would think, there are a number of owners interested, that perhaps has more spare time than I do.

I got the ball rolling.

Andy

**Janet** · 08-19-2004, 03:14 PM

Send me a new Airstream - coated aluminum, and a restored and polished (uncoated aluminum) Airstream. I already have a painted Argosy. I will use them all for one year and faithfully record my findings and make a full report.

malconium · 08-19-2004, 04:03 PM

Andy,

I would be happy to do some more tests. Perhaps you could ship me your test panels? I can see if I can find an infrared temp gun locally. If you can tell me a bit about what yours is like I will have an idea what I am looking for.

Thanks,

Malcolm (please note the spelling)

Inland RV Center, In · 08-19-2004, 04:28 PM

Malcolm (fixed the spelling-sorry)

I want to keep these panels for perhaps another test with a fiberglass backing, so as to more closely approximate the construction of an Airstream.

Attached is a photo of the "infrared gun" I have.

Andy

overlander63 · 08-19-2004, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happier

I just LOVE this picture -attached- of a red Vagabon. I would love to have my 71 Overlander painted red. Did Airstream ever paint their home different colors?

Paint it red, and put "Radio Flyer" in white letters...

Terry

markdoane · 08-19-2004, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The results are in.

The best, seems to be leave it alone.

The worst, paint it red.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks very much for the data. Great experiment.

Inland RV Center, In · 08-20-2004, 02:09 PM

The results are in.

Tests #2 on 8-20 2004 noontime.

Ambient temperature about 80 degrees F.

From left to right the aluminum plates are.....

#1 far left. plain aluminum as used by Airstream.

#2 2nd from left. same aluminum, primered and painted white.

#3 3rd from left. same aluminum, primered and painted red.

#4 far right. plain aluminum with about a 1/16 inch thick rubberized sprayed on backing.

The temperatures of each panel as displayed on an infrared thermometer was:

#1 86 degrees
#2 109 degrees
#3 131 degrees
#4 89 degrees

The plates are setting on 2 inch thick fiberglass insulation, duplicating the Airstream construction.

Conclusions.

The best, seems to be leave it alone, again.

Andy

bake315 · 08-20-2004, 02:41 PM

Wow. Guess I'll be keeping the roof of mine "plain".

Seems a pretty valid test to me. Would be interesting to see a comparable test using fiberglass panels with same colors, though infrared heat transfer seems certain to be far more efficient through the aluminum panel than it would be through a fiberglass one. Or at least, quicker.

59toaster · 08-20-2004, 02:57 PM

Andy. Set it up on some saw horses and get the temp from the back side. Curious to see what the temp is with that coating.

markdoane · 08-20-2004, 02:57 PM

Andy,
If you let the "Polishing Guru" repeat the test with dull vs polished aluminum, I think he would discover a fantastic marketing idea. I'll bet there is a 10 degree difference.

mandolindave · 08-20-2004, 05:16 PM

I am surprized that the white was that much hotter too. Could it be that the
the reflection was adding to the temperature reading? I am wondering why
none of you tried the experiment with painted beer cans. ( just kidding )

P.S. Use the hot beer to boil hot dogs when you are finished ( to avoid
being accused of alcohol abuse ).