Red Stripes on '78 Ambassador,

[Mainstream]

Does anyone know where I can buy a replacement for the two Red Stripes that run down the side of my 78 Ambassador? They are about 1&1/2 inches wide and run parallel about 5 inches apart.

[Kevin245]

Numerous vinyl striping suppliers online. Vinyl Striping, sells 1.5" in many colors.


Good Luck,

Kevin

[Distantdrummer]

From your pic it sure looks like it failed. Are those stripes decals?

I have never seen that combination and am wondering if that is a stock color scheme?
I think in 1976 there was a Bi-Centennial scheme but it has not been documented very well on these forums that I have found.
Would like to see a wider view of your trailer's exterior. Is your trailer badged with any "special edition" jewelry etc.?

[Mainstream]

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

From your pic it sure looks like it failed. Are those stripes decals?

I have never seen that combination and am wondering if that is a stock color scheme?
I think in 1976 there was a Bi-Centennial scheme but it has not been documented very well on these forums that I have found.
Would like to see a wider view of your trailer's exterior. Is your trailer badged with any "special edition" jewelry etc.?

Here are Picts of the red striped 78 Ambassador and badgeing.
What do U Think? I haven't seen one like it either but then I haven't been Airstreaming for that long.

[dogpound]

I have not ever seen an A/S come from factory with the red striping. I do agree with Doorgunner that it may be decals that have failed. I do know that several different units have done some custom decal work on their trailers so it would distinguish them from other units, not that the WBCCI numbers wouldn't. I have seen many trailers with the blue stripes where the red is peeling off so it matches the blue stripe around the base of the trailer.
Bob
Member Four Corners Unit/CAC
WBCCI # 10105

[azflycaster]

I think the original was an upper red stripe and a lower blue stripe.


Picture found at Vintage Airstream Photo Archives

[ALANSD]

I bought striping in 150' lengths for all three of my Airstreams, on EBAY. Paid less than 20 dollars for the rolls. They are automotive or marine quality, easy to apply and look great.
Its easy to match the size if you are patient, and a sharp razor will trim them.
This is my latest, and the silver is striping material also....

[Coastalview]

Another view of a 78 Ambassador striping:
Jeff

[Mexray]

Here's some pic's of how we 'restored' our 78 Ambassador's stripes...

I wanted to use some narrower red and blue stripes...liked the 'look' better.

It was a real pain to get the old stripping material off...had to use a couple of kinds of striping 'goo' and some elbow grease...for some reason, the old blue stripe 'etched' the alum a bit, but the red didn't...??

I removed the alum cast nameplate to strip the paint and then used some marine 'topsides' enamel to repaint it.

I couldn't find and of the 'Red' thin vinyl insert for the bottom extrusion, so I used the 'Blue' vinyl, same as the top stripe...then used masking tape to paint it 'Red' with some more marine topsides enamel...so far, so good!

[Mainstream]

Thanks a lot boys you have been a great help. I am going to have a hard time removing the old stuff. I am going to try a steam iron and wet cloth like Andy described on an earlier thread. But I see I can go a number of ways with the striping.

Have any of you found a supply for the 12 volt fan motor for the bathroom vent?
Also I need to remove the rear Alum. Light Housings to shine the chrome & paint them Black. Are they riveted on or what?

[Mexray]

Mainstream....before I used the paint stripper goo, I tried a heat gun, blow dryer type thing...It worked for a lot of the stripping, I just heated a section and peeled some of it off - the red came off the best - the blue was more difficult, and then I had to use the paint stripper goo on it.

Don't be too alarmed when using a heat gun blower...the alum skin expands as you heat it up, but returns back to normal when it cools back down! I only heated up the stripes to soften them enough to peal away.

The paint stripper goo cleans up most of the glue residue from the old paint stripes, along with the gentle help of a plastic scraper.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mainstream

Thanks a lot boys you have been a great help. I am going to have a hard time removing the old stuff. I am going to try a steam iron and wet cloth like Andy described on an earlier thread. But I see I can go a number of ways with the striping.

Have any of you found a supply for the 12 volt fan motor for the bathroom vent?
Also I need to remove the rear Alum. Light Housings to shine the chrome & paint them Black. Are they riveted on or what?

We have the bath fans motors.

There are 2 sizes.

One is about 2 1/2 inches wide and the other is about half that.

The tail light bezels are riveted on from the back side. You can shear the rivets with a good narrow putty knife. Refasten the bezels from the outside wth well placed long pop rivets.

Andy