$1,863 (plus tax) to Walbernize my Trailer

[Fly at Night]

Was at the dealership today and they have one of those large TV screens over the service area that flashes service "specials" etc.

One thing that I couldn't help but notice was the Walbernization service offered to "Airstreams only." The cost: $69/foot.

So, it would only cost $1,863 (plus tax) to Walbernize my 27 footer!
Gasp*Choke*

I wouldn't pay that if I lost both arms and had to do it with my feet!

So, what would it cost to Walbernize yours?

[Sjcjr]

That is insanely high! It only takes me about three hours to walbernize my 30 ft airstream. I'm in the wrong business!!!

[2012FB]

Last time on a 2012 25' $375


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[Michigander]

Walbernization? What's that?

[John&Vicki]

You can get as good or better results with a can of Liquid Glass, an acrylic polymer widely used by Ferrari shops and many others. It is a little spendy though - $30 for the can.

Cheers,
John

[dex110]

So- I'm about to get a 2002 and will be spiffing it up- Now I have to ask - Walbernize vs Liquid Glass?

[CRH]

I used Liquid Glass 25 years ago on cars. Didn't know they still made the stuff.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Krazy price....I used the Walber-stuff once, didn't last very well, I'll sell what's left for $175.
Griot's lasts much longer.

Bob

[AWCHIEF]

Liquid Turtle Wax, easy on and long lasting.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Krazy price....I used the Walber-stuff once, didn't last very well, I'll sell what's left for $175.

Now that's a deal.

[John&Vicki]

Originally Posted by dex110

So- I'm about to get a 2002 and will be spiffing it up- Now I have to ask - Walbernize vs Liquid Glass?

I have never used Walbernize so I'm not familar with it. I'm very familar with Liquid Glass though. I restored vintage show level Porsches for myself and others for many years. A number of the cars have won high level concours events. I have experimented with a large number of protective finishes over the years, including some very high priced Carnuba wax products. My favorite is Liquid Glass. It's a acrylic polymer that is easy to apply and wipe over (much easier to wipe off than waxes) that forms a tough top coat when it dries. It never yellows or cracks and the protective layer builds up with each coat you apply.

One can is more than enough for my 25 footer. The first time I did it I washed and then polished using a fine grit high quality polish and an orbital polisher followed by the LQ. The plasti-coat on my 25 year old trailer is in great condition and I'm trying hard to hold off peeling as long as possible. I apply LQ twice a year. I use clay to remove small contaminants before applying the LG. So far so good, no plasti-coat peeling after two years. The finish looks great and rain just runs right off. I don't even have to dry it after washing, just let it dry and there are no spots.

As my main experience with LG is with cars rather than trailers I can't speak to the effectiveness of LQ as a sealant. It seems intuitive that it would be given it's properties and I do put it on thickly around rivets. I've read here a hundred times that "they all leak" and it kind of freaks me out that I have never found any on my trailer (I use a moisture meter). I guess it's just a matter of time.

Cheers,
John

[graysailor]

As I recall I have had my dealer do it for around $200.00.

[DoublTrouble]

If I'd have to guess, the dealer is selling Trident. My dealer was "pitching" it also. The price sounds like what I was quoted as well. I passed on it . Many discussions about wax, LG , Walbernize, Griot's. And that is another "can o' worms".

[BDowse]

I would never use any product on our AS except Walbernize as it helps maintain the elasticity, life and effectiveness of the special clear costing material they use on the aluminum. Also helps seal around cracks and rivets (According to several reputable dealerships)

I have used gallons of Liquid Glass on a black Saab we had years ago. Great product for high end paint jobs. It always made it look like you could walk into the paint, such a deep shine. But I will not use it on the AS.

In answer to your question, that is robbery. I'd do it for $1,200 if you pay fuel costs to and from your nearest shade tree :-). I do mine twice a year, that would crowd 4,000 bucks a year. The dealer must put his college age kid on the job to help with tuition.

[daveswenson]

A 27' is $449 at Airstream Adventures NW.

[StreamRollin]

Have started using on my cars and truck " ICE " by Turtle Wax. It's a spray on, wipe off type of synthetic polymer. It leave such a nice shine was thinking about using on the AS. Has anyone used this before on theirs?

Jim

[SeeMore]

Your Airstream is covered in a plasticoat, not a clear coat as many call it, and Walbernize is formulated to protect this particular finish coating.

[rhholland]

We were introduced to the Glare Products and could not be happier. Airstream endorses it and also sells it. The polish goes on easier than Walbernizing and I think it looks better. Everyone will eventually get swirl marks in the clear coat and the Glare Spider will take it right out before another coat of polish. I can't speak higher of the product.

[drboyd]

One that only imagine that the Walbernizing deal includes a big wet sloppy kiss afterwards.

What dealer is that?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

Your Airstream is covered in a plasticoat, not a clear coat as many call it, and Walbernize is formulated to protect this particular finish coating.

Plasticoat?.....A very sophisticated polymer "clear coat"

"Using the Alcoa Business System principles, Alcoa engineers, research and development staff, and technicians crossed organizational boundaries and leveraged their knowledge to develop a system to apply clear coating to mill-finished aluminum sheet that met the Airstream standards."


Bob