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Safari Tim · 09-18-2003, 08:31 PM

Now that I am polishing my trailer I remember hearing that the newer models cannot polish up as well as the older ones.

Is this true? What's the difference in the materials and why the change?

InsideOut · 09-18-2003, 09:05 PM

This is quoted from the VAC FAQ section:

Quote:

Q: Will newer vintage Airstream skins polish as well as old skins?
A: Yes. The pure aluminum alclading that allows the skin to take a high polish was used up until the middle of the 1982 production run, when the finish was changed to a satin finish.

So it's only '82 & newer that don't polish as well...I believe they started using the satin finish because it didn't show production scratches as easily.

The concern with polishing alclad skins is in not over-polishing through the alclad layer. The composition of the aluminum underneath would have a slightly different color and oxidize differently than the remaining alclad portions.

Shari

Inland RV Center, In · 09-19-2003, 07:33 AM

A professional "polisher" can and does make a dull metal trailer polish up as well as the old "alclad."

You can see an "American Legend" model at:

http://inlandrv.com/polishing/

Scroll to the bottom of the page, and judge for yourself.

Andy

**jcanavera** · 09-19-2003, 07:52 AM

Wow, that is interesting Andy. I had no idea the newer finish could be brought up to that level. I would assume that this would require stripping of the coating that Alcoa provides on the aluminum panels.

Jack

InsideOut · 09-19-2003, 08:58 AM

Andy ~

Do they sand down the satin finish graining?

Shari

Inland RV Center, In · 09-19-2003, 09:01 AM

Jack.

This trailer had the original "plasticoat," so it was just a matter of stripping off the material that was still intact.

Actually, I can't tell the difference between the polished alclad, or the polished dull metal.

Both speak for them selves in those photo's.

I have no idea how Barry gets the job done, and don't want to know. But, he is good, at what he does.

Andy