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Old 07-22-2015, 12:21 AM   #1
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Small Plastic Coat Repair on a New AS?

We've had our AS for 7 weeks now and after a recent trip noticed a small imperfection (hole) in the plastic coating in the front just behind the SS panel. Actually a few small holes where the plastic was maybe rubbed off or came off when a sticker was pulled off. After viewing all of the threads, I'm not inclined to say it's time to remove the coating. 99% is intact, but I read somewhere about repairing it - with a clear enamel spray? Thin layers? If anyone has thoughts on this, I would appreciate your insight. What brand of enamel or acrylic spray has worked well? I had planned to do a Liquid Glass treatment in the near future. The dealer said "this is normal, just let it peel off". I don't like that answer. I could try to take a picture of it.
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Old 07-22-2015, 01:59 AM   #2
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A photo is always helpful. I have no idea what you are talking about as my 2015 Serenity has no " plastic coating."

Also, as AS suggests Walbernizing, why use Liquid Glass?

Just curious, trying to learn.


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Old 07-22-2015, 06:26 AM   #3
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I use Glare Polish (my preference I like it ) or Griots One Step. Clearcoat I purchased at auto parts store.


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Old 07-23-2015, 03:02 PM   #4
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False Alarm

OK egg on my face. On closer inspection, I can see two things. First, there is no plastic coating over the aluminum skin as I have read about in other threads. Secondly, as you can see by the photos, the strange bubble is actually tape residue from something. It's more clear in the second picture, which shows the lower panel. I think I will try some mild solvent on the tape residue to get it off and clean it well before putting on a seal coat.

Why Liquid Glass? After reading other threads on sealing the AS, I just decided that it might be a good choice. I'll let you know how it works.
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Old 07-23-2015, 03:17 PM   #5
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Thumbs up

Mineral spirits on a microfiber cloth, wipe in one direction, horizontal, 'with the grain'.

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Old 07-23-2015, 09:46 PM   #6
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Thanks. I was wondering what I could use. Lyle
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Old 07-24-2015, 10:45 AM   #7
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Try Goo Gone or Goof Off, Available Home Depot or Lowes
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Old 07-24-2015, 11:28 AM   #8
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Term clarification - your airstream IS covered with "plasticoat," not "clear coat" though the distinction is minor to the eye. It is a different compound chemically. The special 'plasticoat' formulation by Airstream is designed to survive the high coefficient of expansion for aluminum which shrinks and swells throughout the year but is subject to UV decay when the surface is not treated/cleaned/polished over time. Walbernizing is the correct treatment for longevity.
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Old 07-24-2015, 06:53 PM   #9
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Here's a good one for minor imperfections in the AS finish. For those very noticeable little white scratches, scuffs or pencil point type stone chips in bare aluminum or in your clear coat. Try using black wax from Turtle Wax. I Glare the whole AS then dot those minor imperfections with the black wax and they absolutely disappear or at least are much less noticeable. Would probably work good on older sun bleached clear coat. Haven't tried that yet.
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Old 07-24-2015, 07:59 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeeMore View Post
Term clarification - your airstream IS covered with "plasticoat," not "clear coat" though the distinction is minor to the eye. It is a different compound chemically. The special 'plasticoat' formulation by Airstream is designed to survive the high coefficient of expansion for aluminum which shrinks and swells throughout the year but is subject to UV decay when the surface is not treated/cleaned/polished over time. Walbernizing is the correct treatment for longevity.
So I guess the plasticoat on our new AS is not detectable when looking at it up close or feeling the outer surface - that is until it oxidizes and starts to degrade?
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Old 07-24-2015, 08:57 PM   #11
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WD 40 works great on tape residue and graffiti on automotive paint. It will not harm the finish. When I lived in North Chicago, some kids decided to give the cars on my block a makeover. I removed all the spray paint (probably the better part of a can) in less than 30 minutes. My neighbors were amazed. Spray it on, wait 10 minutes and wipe it off.
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Old 07-24-2015, 10:21 PM   #12
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Here's an Airstream information site worth reading, especially for new owners. A good basic description of the many parts and systems of your new trailer, and briefly describes the coating applied to your aluminum as well as how and why the shell is constructed as it is.

Shell Assembly | Airstream
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Old 07-25-2015, 04:56 PM   #13
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Thanks everyone. I have Goo Gone and WD-40. And thanks Doug for the link. I guess it's more of a fluororesin coating rather than a plastic coating on the aluminum siding. That would make more sense when I look up close. Consequently, polymer coating, like Liquid Glass or similar, would make sense. My test patch with the Liquid Glass turned out looking and feeling great. And 100 times cheaper than the coating that the dealer was pushing (Xzilon). Of course I will have to apply it myself. Strangely, the dealer said the Xzilon treatment would not include the white painted roof. Maybe too expensive considering the huge labor mark-up. You can only extract so much money from a customer buying a new AS.
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Old 07-28-2015, 09:58 AM   #14
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There are write ups here on the xzilon stuff. Don't mess with it. Repair any damage of your Alcoa applied clear coat with a polymer like Nyalic. Use a good polymer based polish like Liquid Glass to maintain. Be careful with goo gone, it is pretty powerful and can damage.


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Old 07-28-2015, 10:54 PM   #15
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Thanks. Great advice. Lyle
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