What's going on with this clearcoat?

[SagStream]

So I have a 72 Ambassador and in front section that was rough area. I thought it was just the clearcoat, so after reading several posts here, I used citristrip to take it off. But after three rounds. 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours, it doesn't seem to have worked. It feels smoother and it pulled the clearcoat off from the top part of the panel, but not the center where I am having the issue. Can anyone tell me what's going on from looking at this photo and what the solution is?
Thanks.

[moparjohn]

your photo did not come through

[SagStream]

Okay. I tried to upload it again.

[moparjohn]

so I can't tell what's with the center section, looks like maybe an acid like reaction, the top looks normal for the age. sorry but maybe another will have a better idea. Good luck, john

[Cyquest]

Try plain old heavy duty paint stripper from the hardware store. Brush on wait,wipe off. None windy day,goggles, work gloves highly recommended. Stuff burns 1.8 seconds after contact on skin.;-) Careful of plastic parts or remove. Neutralize with mineral spirits. Worked for me. Good luck!

[Cyquest]

Ps. Work in small sections at a time.

[AldeanFan]

Are you sure there is clear coat there to strip?
Try a little polish, if it turns black the clear coat is already gone.

[Dingo Girl]

I believe the clear coat is gone. The bottom section looks like the aluminum is stained. There is a section on my trailer that looks the same way.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

I believe the clear coat is gone.

I concur. The area that looks milky is where clearcoat has been compromised for some period of time and the aluminum has oxidized. Polishing will get rid of it.

https://youtu.be/ElRp8kOVdMA

Shari

[SagStream]

AldeanFan, should I use NuShine II Grade F9 or something else?

Dingo Girl, do you just live with the stain? It's such a visible part of the body, I'd really like to get rid of it.

[AldeanFan]

Are you planning to strip and polish the entire trailer or just improve that area?

Polishing the whole trailer is a huge commitment, but worth it to some, myself included.

There was a discussion recently, polishing not to a mirror shine or something like that.

[Dingo Girl]

Like insideout said it should polish out.

[SagStream]

thank you all. I will try polishing it.
any suggestions on polish?

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by SagStream

thank you all. I will try polishing it.
any suggestions on polish?

There are as many methods of polishing as there are polished trailers...here's our take on it after having done two:

Polishing

Shari

[shannon]

Suggestions on polishing? Roll up your sleeves! From what I've seen, with my trailer and others, clear coat ages at different rates based on exposure. I have seen vintage trailers that are pristine except for that end that was sticking out of the barn. Get ready to polish the whole enchilada.

[Barbieri]

Originally Posted by SagStream

So I have a 72 Ambassador and in front section that was rough area. I thought it was just the clearcoat, so after reading several posts here, I used citristrip to take it off. But after three rounds. 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours, it doesn't seem to have worked. It feels smoother and it pulled the clearcoat off from the top part of the panel, but not the center where I am having the issue. Can anyone tell me what's going on from looking at this photo and what the solution is?

Thanks.

Try advanced auto parts aircraft paint remover. Removes clear coat in 5 minutes or less. It is toxic so use with caution. Fumes will get you.

[Barbieri]

Here is a tale for all of you. Went to Alaska my third time. You would think I learned my lesson and not go again but the call was to much. It's the road that will get you or lack of it. This last time my fresh water drain valve got sheared off. All that was left was the plastic. Shoved a bolt in with teflon tape. Covered it with the spray insulation foam. The road from Whitehorse, Yukon to Tok is the killer. Just like a washboard. Lost a cap on the exterior pvc tube that housed a drain hose. AS white on one side and red on the other. If you see it keep it. The vibration loosened the clamps in the bathroom holding the sink up. Why you ask didn't they use stainless steel sink over the counter. I had to reinsert some pins and used white epoxy. It's not going anywhere. Now the best part. The road was being rebuilt. It seems to be a rite of spring. Grind up the road and put a layer of grit mixed in. Then to keep the dust down they put water or in some cases light oil. You would think since 1942 they would have that highway in class A, but no. The frost heaves get you. The grit flew up and sandblasted paint off the front covers. Thinking of painting them RED so you would recognize me. It also removed the plasti coat, clear coat to some so at night when you shine a light around the door and front windows you can tell some is missing. I know your going to say filliform. I have that in some areas so I can to a certain extend recognize it. Question is do I remove the clear coat and spray over bare aluminum or leave just leave as it. I don't mind polishing the aluminum. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh did I mention that after 3500 miles I had to change the air filter. AC went out. After being back a month I am still working on it. Never again.

[Bill M.]

I just stripped and recoated my trailer from the belt line up. I did not want to polish it. I used a couple of cans of MetAll Aluminum Polish I bought from Outdoors Mart. It is a chemical polish without an abrasive. Wipe it on, rub it in a little, then wipe it off with a micro cloth. Then wash the area with mineral spirits. You might try it on the dark area and see what happens. If there is adhesive or part of the clear coat left it will probably take it off. If there is a chemical stain it will take it off as it removes the Al oxide that forms on the surface.

[Buck Rabbit]

Bill M., can you send a picture of the results? I am going to polish mine this summer and and looking for an express route. I don't need a mirror but would like a little more shine.

[Buck Rabbit]

SagStream, I've sold industrial cleaners to restaurants for years and have seen this damage to aluminum where someone used a caustic degreaser and left it on too long. I have never found a solution but have never tried polishing in the sense that AS owners do. I think what you are looking for is not what is on the metal but what is missing, which is the polished surface.