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07-04-2006, 06:19 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Airstream One Wears A White Hat!
Well you may have rested over the 4th of July weekend but not me! I started with a desire to reduce the load on the A/C and the temp. inside the coach as the temps in the Carloinas keep climbing.
After eleven hours of labor I can report that I have new muscle development in my upper body and am looking forward to "going back to work for a rest."
I started by giving the existing dull silver paint a scuff with 400 grit wet sandpaper. I didn't want to take a chance of getting down to the aluminum and having to etch the surface for adhesion.
I taped the top seam line on each side and the rear cap. Then used a string compass to take the coverage out onto the front cap.
After applying the base coat I waited overnight to then take it down with a 360 grit wet sand this morning. After the wet was gone I tacked it all off with denatured alcohol and laid down the second coat.
I'm going to wait for a bit and then apply another coat but that will be some time in the future.
I used Interlux Polyurethane and their 333 slow drying brushing thinner to accomplish this job.
I'm looking forward to taking a temp reading with a laser contact thermometer and will report the findings.
I can only say that it sure is bright up there now! Hopefully I've picked up some reflectivity and the interior temps will be helped.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-04-2006, 07:28 PM
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#2
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I love Airstreams...
Commercial Member
1989 29' Land Yacht
Haines City
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 287
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can we
see more pics....
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07-04-2006, 08:09 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1976 Argosy 20
1997 34' Limited
Great Barrington
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 74
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Glen,
Before heading to the southwest last July, I painted the top of my cab and cap (black Ford Ranger.) The difference in surface temp was astounding! just by hand you can tell an immense difference. I'd think more folks should consider this. I also used the Interlux paint and got good results. After a year of San Diego to Albany, the wear is fine.
__________________
Happy when I'm rollin',
Nick
WBCCI#3528
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07-04-2006, 09:17 PM
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#4
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RivetAddict
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Louisville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,861
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Glen,
This is a topic often discussed, but not many actually go ahead and do it (and document it to boot). Well done. I look forward to hearing about your results.
__________________
Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 Classic Motorhome
AIR 1760
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07-05-2006, 10:25 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Leefields, you asked for more photos... not sure how much better we can show what is a plain AS roof....
It's visible from some angles but not from close up on the ground level.
The two origianal post photos at the top of the thread where taken at opposite ends of the day. The before photo was early a.m. and the after photo was taken almost at dusk.
Here's some shots from each side... and of the materials used.
I'll be back on the road tomorrow and will be better able to report any perceived changes in cabin temps.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-05-2006, 10:29 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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The materials used.... two coats and still about 25% of the original quart left over.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-06-2006, 10:03 AM
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#7
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Jamie
1984 31' Limited
1983 31' Airstream310
Oriental
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 180
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Some years ago I painted the top of my '84 310 Turbo Diesel using Interlux "bright white", and the perceived change was dramatic! About 90% improvement!
Jamie
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07-06-2006, 10:19 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
The materials used.... two coats and still about 25% of the original quart left over.
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Brightside is good paint I did a 25' Sailboat with it and then painted a 34' with Imron. The Brightside help up just as well as the Imron and was much cheaper. The 34' was totaled by Katrina and given back to me, I just brought a gallon of Brighside out to the boat to start topcoating my repair work.
GoodStuff.
Jim
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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07-06-2006, 10:38 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
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I'm looking into options for the Tradewind, Thanks for posting!
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
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07-06-2006, 02:56 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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For any of you contemplating the same type of fix...don't pass on the 333 Brushing Thinner! This slow drying solvent really makes the job easier. The paint is much more workable for a longer period. As the thinner evaporated during my open can usage I could feel the drag on the brush as the paint got thicker and faster drying.
As this happened I'd drop in a bit more 333 and the brush would glide perfectly again.
This allows the "sprayed on" look as you can really work out any brush marks and get the paint flowing.
Today was not the test day for the new hat re temps as the weather in Aiken / Augusta is clowdy and a bit wet from time to time. Will post tomorrow if we get some sun.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-06-2006, 08:29 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1991 35' Airstream 350
Windsor
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
For any of you contemplating the same type of fix...don't pass on the 333 Brushing Thinner! This slow drying solvent really makes the job easier. The paint is much more workable for a longer period. As the thinner evaporated during my open can usage I could feel the drag on the brush as the paint got thicker and faster drying.
As this happened I'd drop in a bit more 333 and the brush would glide perfectly again.
This allows the "sprayed on" look as you can really work out any brush marks and get the paint flowing.
Today was not the test day for the new hat re temps as the weather in Aiken / Augusta is clowdy and a bit wet from time to time. Will post tomorrow if we get some sun.
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Gentlemen: My experience is that the most reliable results are achieved with a roll-and-brush technique. Use a small 3 inch roller to apply the paint to about a 12 inch swath, then use a 3 inch foam brush to pull out the bubbles. Do not go over the area more than once, and KEEP MOVING. Also, the temperature of the surface being painted should be uniform, and it is best to paint a surface between 70 and 80 degrees F. Too hot causes the paint to dry too quickly, too cool may cause it to run--remember that you are applying an Extremely Thin coat of paint. 3 coats are best. I don't know how Glen applied his, but it looks lovely--he can paint my boat anytime!
Rob
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07-06-2006, 09:29 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Currently Looking...
Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,935
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Looks great Glen. I can not imagine how you handled the heat on top of that roof. Where did you cut it off on the sides? Also, did you not paint the rear portion of the roof?
__________________
Chaplain Kent
Forest River Forester 2501TS
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07-07-2006, 05:04 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Rob, in fact I did not use the roll and tip method. I didn't have a small roller and am use to brushing. It takes a little longer but with the 333 the working time is a bit longer and you can go over it with out any trouble to remove any brush marks. A very high quality brush is the secret folks, no $1.98 brush for me... used a $14 china bristle.
Kent, I followed the rivet line (sorry the photos had so much glare you couldn't see from the side. Check out where the verticle side skin joins the roof skins. At the rear I followed the rivet line across the back where the end cap skins joined the roof skins. It was easy to tape below the seam but you have to take a little more time to get good coverage around the rivets. Yes it got hot up there but I did work in the shade and finished each day before noon.
I'm going to take a break and do the third coat, as Rob suggested, when I return from vacation.
Now if Alsa could just make a chrome paint I could brush on I'd be in heaven.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-07-2006, 08:23 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by balrgn
I'm looking into options for the Tradewind, Thanks for posting!
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I order via internet from the link below, very prompt delivery and good prices.
www.jamestowndistributors.com/
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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07-07-2006, 05:48 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Chesapeake
, Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 626
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Glen,
Congratulations! Looks great. Now I think you should donate the same job to a nice 370 . I'd be glad to hand out your business cards whenever anyone asks me what's been done to the roof . Now, doesn't that sound like a good deal ? I'll even drive down to your place to get the work done.
__________________
Tim
1987 30P
2003 Suburban 2500
AIR # 5648
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07-07-2006, 06:32 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1963 16' Bambi
1962 22' Safari
Yreka
, California
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,937
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The white "hat" probably will work well! I taught school in the Central California Valley (think really hot in the summer....) and all the school busses had a white top just to reflect the sun! It helped quite a bit, especially because they are not air conditioned... the poor kiddles would ride home at 4:00 in the afternoon when it was 100+ outside...
We also painted the roof of a pickup we used to have white and it seemed to help it as well! Good luck and let us know what your results are!
Mrs. NorCal Bambi traveling in S Tardis
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07-07-2006, 06:37 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Tim, welcome back, and you're welcome anytime to visit and I'll supervise and instruct for a small fee. Not sure the 370 is of a size I could not think of tackling it over a single weekend.
Today was sunny and bright but the temps didn't reach into the 90's like last week. I do think I've gained an upper hand on the situation though and would recommend the process highly.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-07-2006, 07:13 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Chesapeake
, Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
Tim, welcome back, and you're welcome anytime to visit and I'll supervise and instruct for a small fee. Not sure the 370 is of a size I could not think of tackling it over a single weekend.
Today was sunny and bright but the temps didn't reach into the 90's like last week. I do think I've gained an upper hand on the situation though and would recommend the process highly.
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Glen,
The visit sounds good, but the supervision and instruction "for a small fee" weren't quite what I had in mind. Besides, I could come back on different weekends until YOU got finished .
Seriously, keep us posted on how well the white repels heat. I've noticed that it is a definite problem here in Virginia, and you're not that far away. If it works well, I may just have to get out there and tackle this. Just what I need - another project ...
Best,
__________________
Tim
1987 30P
2003 Suburban 2500
AIR # 5648
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07-07-2006, 08:00 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Tim, I've got it figured out... I'll help you with your paint job ( I'll even buy the paint ) ... in return you can help me with my Gearvendor in$tallation .
So when is your rig getting the new gear life??
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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07-08-2006, 07:39 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Chesapeake
, Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
Tim, I've got it figured out... I'll help you with your paint job ( I'll even buy the paint ) ... in return you can help me with my Gearvendor in$tallation .
So when is your rig getting the new gear life??
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Glen,
Fair enough! Of course, I'm having a neighbor who owns a transmission shop put in the GV, so will pictures be sufficient ? I didn't know you were even going to buy the paint .
Leaving this morning for a week's vacation, and the GV should be installed as soon as I get back. It's in my garage . Didn't order soon enough for this trip. At least this way I'll have good records of gas mileage, rpms @ speeds, temps, etc. for comparison.
Don't forget the free advertising I'm providing you after the roof painting !
Best,
__________________
Tim
1987 30P
2003 Suburban 2500
AIR # 5648
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