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74SovereignInt. · 07-02-2002, 01:54 PM

Ok, anyone got some thoughts? I've read about Zolatone painting but don't know if I want to get into that yet. The walls on my '74 Sovereign are a bit dingy but worst of all, the plastic dome caps at each end (as well as the vent covers) are grossly yellow, nearly brown. Anyone have some advice as to how I can clean or paint them.

I've seen interior pics of A/S's and everything looks so bright. I would love to recreate that look.

Will try to post an interior shot for clarity. Thanks

83Excella · 07-02-2002, 09:35 PM

I think you can still get the vent covers through a dealer. As for the yellowing, I think its something alot of us live with in older trailers, if the previous owner was a smoker alot of that staining is cleanable with some elbow grease. You may be able to paint it but then you would have to remove it and the plastic may be brittle to handle, and I dont know how the paint would hold up with the temperature extremes and time, usually it peels after a while.

John

74SovereignInt. · 07-03-2002, 06:06 AM

Hmmmm, so it isn't just an unfinished material but stained. Thanks. I'll try cleaning and then if necessary some Kilz and primer for plastic before paint if I go that route. I'll let teh board know what happens.

I have seen the covers available and plan on replacing then. Anyone else have a thought?

Thanks 83Excella for your advice.

Chuck · 07-03-2002, 10:55 AM

The yellowing on the interior light covers (domes?) I think is just from age...not staining. I don't think there's any way to "clean" them. Andy has replacements on his website, though, for around 18 bucks. www.inlandrv.com.

Rog0525 · 07-03-2002, 08:00 PM

Hand cleaner such as Gojo works well for removing cigarette smoke residue. I used it on the ceiling fans in my house and was impressed with the result.
If you are able to clean the zolatone paint, Inland Andy's idea of using Future floor wax on the walls might well be worth a shot. It really does a heckuva job for the $5 investment.

74Sovereign · 07-11-2002, 10:10 AM

Hi
More good news! I checked out the link to inlandrv because mine, too, are brownish and these lenses are on sale for about 13 bucks. But since I'll need 4 and I'm stingy- I'm gonna at least try to clean em. I've had some real success using this stuff called Zud in cleaning out a rust stained cooler which is lined with something that seems like abs or some type of plastic so I'll probably try that. Unlike other stuff (like ZAP) that warns don't use it on plastic- it just says don't rub too hard because it is abrasive as well as chemical. But it's nice to know they can be replaced if all else fails- so thanks!!

Jim W · 07-11-2002, 01:42 PM

I bought three of Inland Andy's light covers. They really look good & the light is better. The price I thought was very reasonable. There was no way I could have cleaned up the old ones to look as good as the new ones.

**Action** · 07-11-2002, 02:37 PM

I bought some too. They look good, except they don't fit well. I have to do some modification of the fixture in order to get the lenses to work. Just know that those part are reproduction parts.

>>>>>>>>>>Action

Chuck · 07-16-2002, 08:16 AM

Just got mine in the mail yesterday, and the only thing I had to do was enlarge the holes in them so the vent crank and light switch could come through. I thought that was odd, because other than that, the replacements are exactly like the originals. .Anyway, yeah, what an improvement! Now I just need a couple of those rotary 3-way switches...one was missing, and mickey-moused with a toggle-style switch. The other one, I broke in the process of replacing the lenses. anyone know of a source?

Inland RV Center, In · 07-16-2002, 10:26 AM

The 72 to 77 ceiling light lenses that we have come from the Airstream factory. They are still made from the "original" mold.
There are two different ceiling light switches that are used with that lens. A long shank switch with a threaded knob was used from 1974 and back. From 1975 and up the switch is much larger and uses a slip on knob. Both of these switches are the "three way" type, plus off.
Dealers should have them. We always have them.
Andy

Airstream402001 · 07-16-2002, 09:55 PM

Regarding the yellow end-caps.
The lady who owns Fowler Interiors in Symsonia, KY, phone 270-851-3257, gave a presentation on cleaning the interior of Airstreams at the Fla rally last winter.
She gave detailed instructions on the process of painting them and making them look very attractive.
My notes on that info is in the trailer, which is in the storage lot.
I do recall, however that all of the materials [paint] ate available at Wal-Mart.
She is a very nice lady, and I'll bet she will tell you her method of painting the end-caps, if you give her a call.
She advertises in the Blue Beret, and had a booth at the International Rally at Rapid City

Cliff in Indiana

Repodog · 07-17-2002, 05:29 PM

I have a 73 Overlander and my end caps are disgusting. If you do learn how to really clean or paint them, I would love to hear how.

In addition I am also in need of the silver dollar size rotary knobs that go on the three way switches on light/fan. Andy, do you really have these in stock? I haven't seen them on your web site. I would love to order some. Part Number???

Chuck · 07-18-2002, 09:11 AM

I really can't imagine that the effort it would take to clean these things (if it can really be done, which I doubt), is worth it. I just got my replacements in the mail from Andy, and they look great...and 13 bucks apiece! The time it would take for me to make any significant improvement in these old, worn out pieces of plastic is worth way more than 13 bucks. My only complaint is that the shipping was a bit steep....but I am on the other side of the country. Still a good value.

Just my $.02.

74Sovereign · 07-18-2002, 10:00 AM

Hi!
After spending over an hour on trying to clean just one lens- using everything from Soft Scrub w/ Bleach to ZUD- with only minimal success- I'm pretty convinced that once these things get stained they stay stained. So it's either get used to the "amber glow" or get new ones! The ZUD did help on the tub stains but not completely.

uwe · 07-18-2002, 10:14 AM

Nothing lasts forever, not even out beloved airstream trailers and their parts...

TinRoof · 08-09-2002, 11:23 AM

Hi,

Our front dome cap is craked, a v-shaped crack that goes down to the top of the shelf. Our '74 is very original, and we'd like to keep it that way, anyone know if there is a good way to repair or evn replace the dome caps?

Thanks,

TR

3Ms75Argosy · 09-15-2002, 02:50 AM

Did anybody try to paint their endcaps over the summer? I'd be interested in hearing the results - I thought only my Argosy had the "bad 70's" yellow endcaps.
Thanks!
Marc

53flyingcloud · 09-15-2002, 03:34 AM

I picked up 19 new light len covers this summer while at A/S and, the cost was 1.28$ each. Fantastic inprovement~!!
Not sure if this is the 'same' thing that being talked abt on this thread but...They certainly didn't cost 13 dollars apiece~!
ciao

pjtaia · 09-15-2002, 09:07 AM

We are having our "new" 1975 Overlander restored, and the replacement of the yellow light fixture covers and all new light bulbs has made the interior far brighter than we could have imagined. A huge benefit for a small cost!

Inland RV Center, In · 09-15-2002, 12:34 PM

Vern.
Exactly "what lens covers" did you pick up for $1.28??
For what year? What light?
Are we comparing apples and apples, or are we comparing apples to a tootsie roll?
I have a new Airstream and I only paid $200.00 for it!! Wow.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com