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Old 08-26-2014, 11:04 AM   #1
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What polish product to use

I am going to take delivery of a 2011 30' International Serenity. I bought it as salvage and Airstream Northwest is replacing the damaged parts. There is some oxidation and scratches on the aluminum. In doing research, I found three products recommended. Walbernize is frequently mentioned but it appears to not last too long (but easy to apply). Glare is supposed to last a year but seems to take more effort to apply. Then Griot's Paint Polish is also given good reviews. Does anyone have feedback on these and also how much of the product will I need? Thanks! Rick Todd
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Old 08-26-2014, 11:11 AM   #2
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I am using Nuvite II. Does a good job but need 3 or 4 steps (4 in our case) and each step requires a different grade.
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Old 08-26-2014, 12:45 PM   #3
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All the Polish products are good....and tasty! The Pig in the Blankets, Pierogis and any sausage will do ya!
Enjoy!
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Old 08-26-2014, 01:20 PM   #4
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Kind of like asking what's your favorite color.

I would be concerned about the "oxidation and scratches on the aluminum". I think the oxidation you mention would be filiform corrosion. There are many references by searching this forum, and if you can wade through the rants about Airstream quality, the are some good tips on how to repair it hidden within.

Basically comes down to gently removing any large filiform areas, treating with a corrosion preventive product such as CorrosionX, and touchup with acrylic or Nylac clear coat.

Corrosion prevention treatments and inspection for water leaks are a necessary part of good Airstream maintenance. And any quality polish keeps it shiny.
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Old 08-26-2014, 01:28 PM   #5
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I find Walbernize lasts a year. I want to do it every spring anyway so I use Walbernize because it is so easy.
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Old 08-29-2014, 07:21 PM   #6
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Liquid Glass, a polymer base polish is good also. Does well for me in the south Texas sun.


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Old 08-29-2014, 07:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
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All the Polish products are good....and tasty! The Pig in the Blankets, Pierogis and any sausage will do ya!
Enjoy!
Now that's funny.
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Old 08-29-2014, 08:13 PM   #8
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Lord have mercy sausage and wax all in the same thread.

For years I have detailed cars with various products but NOTHING worked on my Airstream. I have the coated metal like yours and when I finally started treating it like plastic, did I get some results. Here are some products that have worked for me:

Scratch Doctor- NuFinish
Plastx Meguire
Plexus
Boeshield T9 (corrosion killer-turns it black- WD40-like with wax)

I have Glare and some other stuff - no stick or something like that from a rally but it seems to get dirty anyway. Then I bought that $200 no water kit with the big blue broom thing and that just smears dirt. Just FYI lots of money on bottled snake oils. Those are a few that worked. Different Airstream finishes though may be different.
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Old 08-29-2014, 10:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openroad118 View Post
All the Polish products are good....and tasty! The Pig in the Blankets, Pierogis and any sausage will do ya!
Enjoy!
Ha Ha! Just don't try to polish with polish sausage.
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Old 10-27-2014, 06:16 PM   #10
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I am using white diamond polish which was recommended on the forum. You can buy it at the auto supply stores.


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Old 10-27-2014, 06:54 PM   #11
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I've tried a number of different products and I think liquid glass beats them all. It leaves a clear protective coat once your done. The finish improves with each coat.



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Old 10-27-2014, 07:07 PM   #12
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I've tried a number of different products and I think liquid glass beats them all. It leaves a clear protective coat once your done. The finish improves with each coat.



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Love to try it. Where do I buy it. Thanks



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Old 10-27-2014, 07:15 PM   #13
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Quote:
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Love to try it. Where do I buy it. Thanks



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I think almost any automotive parts store would have it.

My body shop guy uses it on just about everything. He does all of my cars every spring. Next year he is going to do my new to me '02 Classic, also.
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Old 10-27-2014, 07:49 PM   #14
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Liquid Glass is my favorite. AutoZone sells it, less expensive at Amazon.
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Old 10-29-2014, 02:40 AM   #15
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So many wax product choices!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard L. View Post
Liquid Glass, a polymer base polish is good also. Does well for me in the south Texas sun.


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I wanted something worthy of my time, never had waxed my coach because I dreaded how much time and how hard it would be. Found Mother's Advanced Spray On Wax. One 32 ounce bottle did the entire surface. You have to shake often, and looks much like Walbernize does. it took me about 5 hours up and down on a ladder, spray on, wipe on/off, buff and my 2006 looks like a new unit. What a beautiful hunk of metal!!!!!!
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Old 11-28-2014, 09:30 AM   #16
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Walbernize the roof?

Hi,

This looks like a good thread to ask.... does one Walbernize the roof? Also, how about using Walbernize on interior surfaces?

Thanks much,
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Old 11-28-2014, 09:41 AM   #17
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I use glare two times a year and very soft cloth. I have Bambi, wish I could be out doing it now , but we are under blanket of snow. I have found the best way to wax is to start the job while husband sitting nearby with book. I make it look like fun, he takes over, I go shopping. Works and looks great.
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Old 11-28-2014, 06:08 PM   #18
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Your 2011 Serenity is a very new Airstream. A quite nice one at that. It has the latest Alcoa applied polymer coating to the aluminum for a nice color and long life. When you refer to "polish", sausage or otherwise, I assume you are referring to a wax product. Polish means 'grit" to me where we polish old aluminum to a mirror like reflection. Your trailer wouldn't be a candidate for that.

So pick the product you like. But do read up on the filiform corrosion that these new trailers experience and learn how to mitigate it. I personally prefer the polymer coatings like NuFinish, Race Car Glaze, Griot's and Meguiar's polymer sealant. Even Cyclo sells one which I have tried, but didn't have the best of luck with it.

However, a Cyclo orbital polisher would make waxing your Airstream a bunch faster and easier on the old shoulder! Take a gander at the Cyclo website.

Your new Airstream coating is somewhat like a automobile paint finish. You don't want to scratch it with a rubbing compound, you want to coat it so rain water and bird poop won't stain it.

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Old 11-28-2014, 06:44 PM   #19
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Thanks David for the information. I bought this trailer damaged (it was on EBay) from insurance salvage. We had some of the lower trim replaced but the main aluminum panels had some stretches. I used Griot's Machine Polish #3 which is a very light abrasive to take a lot of the scratches out of the clear coat (it worked amazingly well with their random orbital polisher and orange foam pad) and finished with their Paint Sealant. I'm very happy with the results and the trailer doesn't hardly looked damaged at all. It was never used inside so we have an essentially new trailer for about 1/2 retail price. Rick
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Old 11-29-2014, 05:47 AM   #20
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Okay, I understand. It sounds like you selected the right stuff to smooth out scratches in your trailer's coating. Maybe others will benefit from your approach if they get a scratch in the coatings on these newer trailers. I think this Alcoa coating was introduced on Airstreams about year 2000 or so. The huge "corrosion on new trailers" thread talks about filiform corrosion on seam edges and other parts and how to prevent it.

You took a chance with this trailer and came out very good. Airstreams are very expensive to repair so I suppose most insurance companies just pay up and try to recover as much as they can through a salvage auction. I suppose your trailer will always have a salvage title which will scare some buyers away.

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