Got up this morning and decided to attack the decal stripping project by "brute force". Realizing I've got to get up and go to work Monday (like most normal people), can't waste any more weekend daylight hours surfing AirstreamForums or questioning the local "expert's" about which magic potion to try next.
Got to get on with it or the old girl will be under a blanket of snow before long - wish I'd built a carport, like Dennis, years ago and wouldn't be doing this project now.
Anyhow, no more messing around with test panels. Masked off the whole driver's side (South side- remember this). Then plastered on a generous coating of "Back to Nature's MultiStrip" - I swear by it (not at it).
Went back to where I had previously left off and began scraping away again, inch by inch. Remembering the Silver Bullet's advice, I got a lot more aggressive with the razor knife. Yeh, it leaves some scratches but gets the job done. After all, this area is going to be sanded (320 grit), etched, primed, painted and covered by a new decal later on.
Not sure I would recommend getting this aggressive scraping if you're going to clearcoat or polish. But I did try a test strip with the 320 grit on an orbital sander, then messed around a bit with 1500/2500 grit by hand. It was starting to polish up the way you Big Boys do it, with no sign of the razor knife scratches, but you didn't here that from me.
Well, about a half hour into stripping and painting, I look down the coach and see stuff peeling off and falling to the ground. (Strangely enough, Don Boyd called me from Arizona last night to answer some questions and we got off on religious topics - I'm suspecting he might have said a prayer for me)! Not sure if this is divine intervention or what, but someone's sure looking after me. Bottom line - finished the whole side in 5 hours! Actually had time left over to work on the "honey-do list".
Well I'm not going to dispel the idea of outside help, but looking at this scientifically (as an Engineer) think this is what happened: I started on the worst (South side, remember) part of the coach, which gets a lot of direct sunlight and has literally baked the plastic (decal) and glue (adhesive) to the metal. The part where the "miracle" happened has been shaded for years by a big lillac bush. Putting 1 + 1 together and finally coming up with an even number, think I have the answer - do you? Looking forward to going around to the other (North) side tomorrow and see if the theory is correct.
Now, Steven, it's time for you to start, "misery loves company". Here's a few tips I've learned in the past month:
1) Mask off area below rub rail with 4' wide (X 75') pretaped plastic (cheap and readily available). Put some cardboard down under the work area (driveway) cause you're going to make a sticky mess. Buy a 10 pack of heavy duty paper towel (blue ones), cause you're going to need them. Invest in a good pair of rubber gloves, splash goggles and wear a long sleeve shirt; that's all, no moon suit or respirator required.
2) Use "Back to Nature MultiStrip" - user friendly non-toxic and cleans up with water (try paint/wallpaper store). When it dries out, it's done working (longer is not better). 4 hours, as previously stated is too long - more like 30 min. on woodgrain decal and 1 hr. on background decal - observe bubbling. Leaving it overnight will cause you to start over. If you need more time to let it work, it has been suggested covering it with plastic to retain the mositure, but haven't tried that.
3) Strip the woodgrain decal first, then go after the background decal (with a plastic putty knife). Don't fret if everything doesn't come off with the first coat. Just get off what you can with reasonable effort, apply another coat of stripper and repeat (expect 2 to 4 times).
4) The glue (adhesive) will be your worst nightmare. I've yet to find a product that will take it off, even the very last remnants. Use the razor knife (perpendicular to the surface, not as a scraper). Once the gummy decals are gone, you can get pretty sloppy with the remaining residue. Any last traces may be sanded off, which tends to plug the paper rapidly. Try hand sanding, rather than by machine, to keep the heat down.
5) You will likely discover that the worst looking (weathered) areas strip the hardest and conversely the best looking areas strip the easiest.
6) If you don't already have one, start a "cuss jar" - the Wife keeps the proceeds and will get her involved in the project. (mine didn't get a penny today, I was a Happy Camper).
7) Keep the faith and remember, "You've got to be dumb enough to start it, and smart enough to finish it"!
I have some digital photos of the project which I will post, as soon as my "Computer Guru" (Don) "spoon feeds" me in getting them uploaded.
Now, with all this "sweat equity" invested, I'm thinking of customizing the decal replacement and trim paint with something more modern, as Alan and Peter have done. Any suggestions - pro or con.
Unfortunately, will probably be getting rid of my second love after all these years, due to changes in lifestyle. Wife says we have to dispose of "non-performing assets" - Airstream is #1 on the list, and think I may be #2
Thanks a bunch, people. I'm outta here - nuf (way too much) said.
Very Best Regards,
Jeff
"I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go".