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07-22-2015, 12:21 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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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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07-22-2015, 01:59 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
2009 27' FB International
2007 25' Safari
Currently Looking...
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,564
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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.
Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871
__________________
Happy trails and Good Luck
Ms Tommie Fantine Lauer, Greensboro, NC
AIR #31871 KQ3H
www.fantinesvoice.com
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07-22-2015, 06:26 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2018 23' Flying Cloud
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 260
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I use Glare Polish (my preference I like it ) or Griots One Step. Clearcoat I purchased at auto parts store.
Ron
2015 Sport 16'
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
Ron
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07-23-2015, 03:02 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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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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07-23-2015, 03:17 PM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Mineral spirits on a microfiber cloth, wipe in one direction, horizontal, 'with the grain'.
Bob
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07-23-2015, 09:46 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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Thanks. I was wondering what I could use. Lyle
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07-24-2015, 10:45 AM
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#7
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GTL48
2018 33' Classic
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
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Try Goo Gone or Goof Off, Available Home Depot or Lowes
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07-24-2015, 11:28 AM
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#8
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,006
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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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07-24-2015, 06:53 PM
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#9
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NOAZRK
2004 34' Classic S/O
Currently Looking...
Kutztown
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 194
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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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07-24-2015, 07:59 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeeMore
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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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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07-24-2015, 08:57 PM
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#11
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Regular Guy
1978 31' Sovereign
Hot Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 603
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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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07-24-2015, 10:21 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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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
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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07-25-2015, 04:56 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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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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07-28-2015, 09:58 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 30' Flying Cloud
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 682
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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.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
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07-28-2015, 10:54 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 54
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Thanks. Great advice. Lyle
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