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cljackson · 02-02-2003, 08:38 PM

What's the difference between the Alcoa finish and the Airstream finish?

Thanks,
Carl & Cheryl
'99 Airstream Safari 25'

Forrest · 02-02-2003, 08:57 PM

I'm curious where you heard the term Alcoa vs Airstream finish. Alcoa finish implies to me the factory smooth but unpolished material, while the Airstream finish may include some degree of polishing and coating of clearcoat. Perhaps if anyone has had the AS factory tour they can shed some light on this.

thenewkid64 · 02-02-2003, 11:12 PM

The main difference is the Alcoa finish is applied to the panels at the Alcoa factory prior to the raw materials bing sent to Airstream. This allows for tremendous control of application and curing of the finish to make it last. This change was made to remedy the clearcoat failures that were a major quality control issue for the last 15 or so years. My understanding is that the trailers are now built and shipped. There is no clearcoat or Airstream finish applied at the Factory.

**jcanavera** · 02-03-2003, 08:07 AM

I think that change to the prefinished panels occurred with either the 1999 or 2000 model year.

Jack

lynn · 02-03-2003, 05:57 PM

The Alcoa aluminum sheets come with a rollcoated PPG finish that is applied in two coats , first a wash coat for cleaning and adhesion and the finish coat . This is done in a temperature controlled environment for proper curing. It is a harder finish than the typical clear coating ( sprayed on finish).
I believe strip and recoating is still performed at the factory for pre 1999 trailers. Trailers built with last six digits higher than 512600 should have new PPG finish.

John · 02-03-2003, 06:14 PM

Cheryl,

please check your private messages.

also, from the user cp, you can change your setting so an email notification is sent to you when you have a PM.

John

JaceBeck · 02-04-2003, 07:30 AM

For those that have experience with the "newer" Alcoa finish, how has the performance been after a couple years now? Are there any early signs of the peeling, chipping, etc. issues with the older Plasticoat?
Jace

**jcanavera** · 02-04-2003, 09:03 AM

Mine is still an infant in age but it shows no signs of any deterioriation so far. Now I have to preface that statement with the fact that my Safari lives in inside storage from November through March, and I also Walbernize it prior to going into winter storage. For all intents its pretty pampered.

I did see some pictures of a 1999 Safari that was looking pretty poor, I'll try to find it. That's why I'm not sure if the Alcoa protected panels were a 1999 feature or whether 2000 was the start year.

Jack

Rickk48 · 02-04-2003, 10:52 AM

My '01 Bambi has been exposed to the elements in Arizona, Colorado and California, being stored outside with no cover. I Walbernize it about every 4 months, or three times per year. So far the finish looks great, no signs of peeling. I met a '99 Safari owner at C&G Trailer last weekend, and he complained alot about the finish on his trailer as well as the "Airstream" and "Safari" graphics peeling.

JaceBeck · 02-04-2003, 03:06 PM

The Alcoa finish transition was made in mid 1999 for the 2000 model year, so there are trailers spanning both years. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the issue when I bought my new '99 25C, which was actually "birthed" in November of 1998 as a 1999 model, in January of 2000.

I wish I had known of the Plasticoat issue as I may have waited to get the Alcoa finish. I haven't had much trouble, except for one small spot. I Walbernize, but only twice a year as I live in a historic area of Minneapolis that does not leave much room on the street and I can't get it into my drive because of the old trees lining the road and my landscaping.

The rig is stored outdoors from May to October, then into dead storage in the horse barn at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (it's really cheap).
Jace

**jcanavera** · 02-05-2003, 06:56 AM

You raise a good point regarding the real age of a trailer. This sometimes can be good and bad. I remember looking at a Safari on the dealers lot in Jan 2001. It had been built in July 2000. I decided that I wanted a new build trailer and placed an order in March. My trailer was built in mid April and came in the first of May. Part of my reasoning was wanting Fantastic Fans and a spare tire carrier. I wanted these added at build time rather than retrofit by the dealer.

The bad side of my order was the fact that Airstream did an alteration and the later 2001 units did not have front lights to illuminate the ground outside the front of the trailer. I would have liked that to have had those.

Jack

**jcanavera** · 02-08-2003, 08:53 AM

Here's that picture of a '99 Safari, obviously displaying the scars of a peeling finish. I wonder if the owner has talked to A/S about this. BTW the picture is courtesy of the Vintage Airstream site and was taken at a rally in Estes Park Colo.

Jack

cljackson · 02-23-2003, 09:30 PM

Our Safari is a '99, so it was birthed in '98. We just bought it, so we're not sure what kind of storage life it has experienced, although it was outdoors when we first saw it. To our untrained eyes, the finish looks pretty good, although it could really use a bath right now.

What should we do as far as maintaining the finish?

**jcanavera** · 02-24-2003, 07:05 AM

Wablernize it once or twice a year with the Super Seal product. It will be as slick as glass.

www.walbernize.com

Jack

Raptorrider2001 · 02-24-2003, 12:20 PM

My '99 Safari was one of the earlier ones with plasticote. I am the second owner. The original owner said it was pealing when he began shopping so he made a deal to have it recoated when he purchased it. They did a terrible job on it. It is not a smooth finish at all. They did not do a good job of masking it off and has overspray in places. Because it is rough, it does not take a good polishing.

cljackson · 02-26-2003, 10:05 PM

Can it be re-refinished?

Raptorrider2001 · 02-27-2003, 01:37 PM

I'm sure it could with alot of elbow grease. It would have to be stripped and then another coat or plasticote I would guess. I think I have seen some post where it cost sevefral thousand to have it done. Not sure. I thinkif I ever got it stripped, I would like to polish it out like some of these guys are doing when they restore some of the older ones. They look fantastic all shined up.

**jcanavera** · 02-27-2003, 09:26 PM

Caution on the newer models! They do not polish out to the mirror finish like the older units. I'm not sure what year they changed the aluminum but do not strip your newer A/S with hopes to get it mirror like.

I'm sure there is someone on the forum who may know this.

Jack

cljackson · 02-28-2003, 08:09 AM

Been wondering about that, as I've seen pictures of some of the older models that looked like the shiny side of aluminum foil. Ours has more of a brushed aluminum-looking finish.

This is good to know. Wonder why they changed the finish?