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05-13-2011, 11:38 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' Classic
Bigfork
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 32
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Corrosion
HAPPY FRIDAY 13TH.
Extensive Corrosion: We returned to our home in Montana in mid December when the temperatures were below zero. To back the trailer into its garage we first had to have the drive plowed. It snowed the next night so I couldn't remove it for washing. What's more this was a rough winter with snow and cold persisting. Moreover I had no idea that the dust covering the trailer resulting from our driving the winter roads contained a corrosive material. If I'd suspected as much I would have figured out a way to wash it.
Apparently, however, Montana does use a chloride and the pictures show what the trailer looked like several days ago when we could finally get the trailer out of its garage and wash it. Since washing I've tried everything (polish etc) to remove this white "rust" but nothing works. Does anyone have a solution?
I intend to contact my insurance company but first I have to know what my options might be. If I can't buff out the corrosion, should I replace panels or is it possible someone can restore the finish?
Since buying our trailer in 2005 we've maintained it so it is immaculate. Bottom line we'll spend to get it fixed, but first hope someone might have thoughts about repairs.
Bert Gildart
NOTE: We will never drive through Montana (my home state) again in the winter.
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05-13-2011, 12:05 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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If that's filiform corrosion, that's as bad as I've ever seen. I'd like to see some close-ups.
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05-13-2011, 12:50 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Bert, So sorry to see your corrosion. Larger images can be uploaded to a maximum of 1600 pixels.
See the main and extensive thread on filiform corrosion:
Corrosion problems with new Airstreams
Good luck with this.
-- Bill
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05-13-2011, 02:08 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' Classic
Bigfork
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 32
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Larger photos
Several readers have asked to see larger photos. Hope I've done this right, this time.
Bert
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05-13-2011, 02:09 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
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That's filiform alright.
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05-13-2011, 02:16 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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Oh, man! I am so sorry to see this amount of filiform attacking your Airstream. What a shame. It scares me. Good luck in resolving it. Please keep us posted.
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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05-13-2011, 02:18 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Wowsers! If that was anywhere else than the coach, it would be a living, breathing, thing of beauty, much like hoar frost.
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05-13-2011, 05:52 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Thanks Bert for your larger pictures...
Just wish I was looking at your beautiful Glacier National Park photos instead of this dreadful filiform corrosion.
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05-13-2011, 05:57 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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I suspect the clear coating reacted with the road salts - - I believe the fix is to strip the clear coat and compound that out - at least thats what I would do before replacing panels - the not so good news is I would do it pretty quick before it gets worse.......
Ken J.
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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05-13-2011, 05:58 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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Can anyone explain to me how the filiform happens in an area without a seam? Is it just crummy clear-coat?
Hard to believe road salt did it; and if it did, what the heck is AS up to? We've blasted through a ton of salty roads over the years and have had no filiform critter problems.
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05-13-2011, 06:22 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
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I suspect all it takes is a nick or weakness in the coating for the road salt to get underneath it......
Ken J.
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
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05-13-2011, 08:12 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' Classic
Bigfork
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 32
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I must have had a lot of nicks then because this stuff was thick not just on the panel shown in the photos, but rather on two more in the front and three more in the back.
Any suggestions where someone in Montana might start looking for repairs?
Thanks!
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05-13-2011, 08:20 PM
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#14
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shacksman
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If its filiform corrosion: something would have to break the coating first.
I would like to know if it is on the surface or under the coating. I have towed through MT in the winter and never had a problem.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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05-14-2011, 06:07 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' Classic
Bigfork
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 32
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Towing through MT
I've also towed through my home state, Montana, in the winter, in fact, on dozens of different occasions and this is the first time I've ever had a problem. I'm included to think I hit an unusually thick patch of chloride, a substance that has also, I now learn, created problems for some of my friends, who curse the stuff!
Bert
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05-14-2011, 06:25 AM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' Classic
Bigfork
, Montana
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 32
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Airstream usage
For the record Janie and I use our Airstream for the business of writing and photography and for lots of pleasure. Airstream, And Our 100,000 Miles On the Road | Bert Gildart: Writer and Photographer
Right now I'm absolutely sick about the filiform corrosion shown on photos above. We have hail insurance and am hoping our insurance will also cover corrosion. In the meantime I appreciate everyone's response, which has even reacquainted me with friends in the Airstream community.
Bert
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05-14-2011, 07:07 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1960 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
1998 25' Safari
Avonton
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,331
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Seems very unlikely that insurance would cover corrosion. That's like asking them to fix your rusty car. The filiform doesn't do much damage to the aluminum, it just looks bad. My 67 was totaly white with it and I was able to strip the clearcoat and polish it all off. But I don't know how easy it would be to remove the clear coat on a 2005 trailer.
__________________
Doug & Terry
VAC - TAC ON-1
60 Ambassador Int.
1950 Spartan
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05-14-2011, 07:16 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1957 30' Sovereign of the Road
1959 28' Ambassador
1949 24' Limited
Peru
, New York
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 745
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Hi Bert,
Sorry to see that "stuff" on your trailer. I'm afraid, as everyone has pointed out, it's filiform corrosion. It's a result of minute chips in your clearcoat due to rock chips etc along with salt on the roads & lack of washing & sealing. I believe Rich Luhr has determined that it will also happen in higher humidity environments & not necessarily only from salt. He doesn't get any in Tucson, however it starts to grow when he arrives in Vermont for the summer.
I have had a few jobs come in with clearcoat peeling off along with the associated oxidation. I typically strip the remaining clearcoat off the panel, then use scotch brite pads & water to remove the oxidation & to bring the "mill" finish look back, that is similar to the other panels. Re clearcoating will also be necessary, unless you do the complete trailer & allow all of it to oxidize at the same rate. Polishing & clearcoating is also an option, but significantly more work & cost.
Replacing panels will be significantly more expensive than the previous options, plus they will will likely be installed with olympic rivets which over time will create their own issues.
Thanks,
Colin
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05-14-2011, 07:38 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
Maple Plain
, Minnesota
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 61
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Corrosion
Bert & Janie: I bet you're sick over this. I feel your pain and experienced it ourselves after we returned from a long trip and were then hit with hail. Large settlement, but not near enough to actually cover the real cost to do a good repair job.
Colin has the right idea. Clean the panel(s) and strip clear-cote from that area. Use Scotch Pad (medium) lightly rubbing in direction of grain. This should blend the mill finish and match pretty closely. Don't polish or you'll have a shiny spot.
Protect the restored surface with wax until you talk to an auto body shop about spraying your panel with clear-cote (most do this on a regular basis). You might delay this step for a while until the metals finish starts to "blend" or "weather" to the finish appearance of rest of the trailer.
I have come to the conclusion that as beautiful as an unblemished A/S is, the patina of road use begins to make them more handsome. That's my only consolation any more when I look into the mirror to shave! Why shouldn't that also be true of our favorite wagon?
At least that is what my wife tells me!
Tom
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05-14-2011, 10:39 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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With these newer Alcoa coated panels, the ultimate solution may be a good auto body shop who can clean it up and paint it silver, with a clear coat over that to give it depth. I've seen a late model painted Airstream here on the forum and it looks really good, but can't remember who owned it.
Doug
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