Restoring color of endcaps

[Jenniflow]

Hey folks,
I'm very frustrated because our upload speed here in Mexico is very slow and my attempts to upload some photos has been timing out. I'm going to have to transfer the photos to another app and shrink them.

But here's my question. I notice that the strangely pink endcaps used to be the same color as the off-white speckled ceiling on my 1982 Limited. I can see that it was the same when I remove the lighting fixture. Does anyone know why the endcaps discolor so much and the rest of the paneling doesn't?

Does anyone know what might restore the endcaps to their original off-white color? I'm not ready to yank a lot of stuff and the interior is in pretty good shape, so Id like to use what I can but I want to simplify the color scheme to dark laminate and light trim and get rid of all the intermediate colors.

Is there a detailer's secret that is waiting to be discovered? Something I can use that won't destroy the endcap material?

Thnx!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

I notice that the strangely pink endcaps used to be the same color as the off-white speckled ceiling on my 1982 Limited. I can see that it was the same when I remove the lighting fixture. Does anyone know why the endcaps discolor so much and the rest of the paneling doesn't?

Probably has to do with the compound curved end caps are plastic and react to light differently than the other panels which are aluminum with vinyl covering. Also, cooking & smoking can discolor the plastics - not much can be done if that's the case - other than just scrub them clean, which I assume you have already done.

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

Does anyone know what might restore the endcaps to their original off-white color? I'm not ready to yank a lot of stuff and the interior is in pretty good shape, so Id like to use what I can but I want to simplify the color scheme to dark laminate and light trim and get rid of all the intermediate colors.

Is there a detailer's secret that is waiting to be discovered? Something I can use that won't destroy the endcap material?

You could clean, prep & paint the endcaps to match the "good" panels. I know some when doing total restorations have taken their plastic bits out in the sun and applied a peroxide/baking soda paste & "bleahed" them...but if you aren't doing that level of a restoration, paint would be about your only option.

Shari

[Jenniflow]

Vewwwwwy intewesting.

I may try to bleach them inside rather than removing them, but then I'll have to hold my breath. I've been reading mixed reviews about painting them. I'll have to investigate that more closely. If I brush something on, it will probably look terrible.
Thanks!

[BradB]

The previous owner of our unit painted the end caps and did a really nice job. I usually notice things like that, but I didn't realize it until a few weeks after we bought it.

It looks like it was perhaps sponged.

[Jenniflow]

Well, that's encouraging. I'm not much with a brush but I'm not bad with a sponge!

[BradB]

Yeah, I hadn't thought about using a sponge on my old trailer but I'm pretty sure that is what they did. There are some other posts that have information about something you can make up to brighten it back up too.

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

Well, that's encouraging. I'm not much with a brush but I'm not bad with a sponge!

[Casa Rodante]

I painted the plastic end cap in my Argosy and unless you look real close you wouldn't know. I first primed with Zinzzer Bulls Eye 1-2-3 latex primer, and used Ben Moore latex eggshell finish for my topcoat. I used a 2" roller cover with a 1/2" nap. The 2" wide roller lets you roll over the curvature of the end cap and still get even paint coverage. It has held up really well and cleans up nicely.

[idroba]

Here is a photo of the painted end cap in my '74 Argosy 20'.

The rolling tambour was removed as was all of the trim. The paint I use for this job is Krylon Fusion paint for plastics, Satin finish. Right now I can't recall the exact color. But the paint covers the original old banana yellow the end caps turn. I did the same to the refrigerator vent, and the AC interior cover. It looks super and there is no way you can really tell it has been painted. Use lots of very thin coats. Use a big fan to remove the overspray and fumes. Mask things well.

The yellowed trim which fits in the Aluminum track was replaced with thin strips of plastic laminate in a pattern I like. The tambour doors were also painted with the same paint and look wonderful, like new again.

So, I can give a hearty thumbs up to painting with Krylon Fusion Paint for plastics.

[DFlores]

Before painting, why don't you try to use polishing compound, just like you use on your car.

If you wait a day or so, I am going to polish mine.

[webspinner]

I haven't tried this myself, but when I was researching this for the plastic frame around the kitchen window in our '71 Tradewind, I came across a recipe for Retrobrite.

It's a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, Oxy laundry cleaner and some other ingredients to make a gel that sits on the plastic and restores it to its pre-oxidized state.

[Jenniflow]

Originally Posted by idroba

Here is a photo of the painted end cap in my '74 Argosy 20'.



The rolling tambour was removed as was all of the trim. The paint I use for this job is Krylon Fusion paint for plastics, Satin finish. Right now I can't recall the exact color. But the paint covers the original old banana yellow the end caps turn. I did the same to the refrigerator vent, and the AC interior cover. It looks super and there is no way you can really tell it has been painted. Use lots of very thin coats. Use a big fan to remove the overspray and fumes. Mask things well.



The yellowed trim which fits in the Aluminum track was replaced with thin strips of plastic laminate in a pattern I like. The tambour doors were also painted with the same paint and look wonderful, like new again.



So, I can give a hearty thumbs up to painting with Krylon Fusion Paint for plastics.

Idroba and webspinner, sorry, I made the mistake of not checking the thread when the next reply showed up. What great results on the painting! And this peroxide/oxy blend + UV seems to be very effective!

This actually raises another question for me which is what the value might be in restoring the trailer to its actual original condition, inside and out. I think I'll look more into the advantages of doing that. Back to the Search function. The work people on this forum are doing is really inspiring.

[reinergirl]

I did an experiment with retrobrite here;
Post 69
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f109...ml#post1202339

[Jenniflow]

Sorry refiner girl, not sure why but your link took me to a short thread on furnaces. Searches on the post number and retrobrite didn't get me there either. Is there another way to get there?

[Jenniflow]

*Reinergirl. Thank you Steve jobs.

[webspinner]

Originally Posted by Jenniflow

Sorry refiner girl, not sure why but your link took me to a short thread on furnaces. Searches on the post number and retrobrite didn't get me there either. Is there another way to get there?

Here's a link to the particular post in that thread that was linked to before:

[Jenniflow]

Thanks webspinner. Got it.

Reinergirl, that is a terrific post, so detailed, and the blog is even better. I felt like you were standing right there, showing me every step.

I think I'm going to plan for some combination of restoration, using techniques like yours; painting, where I don't have the patience; and removing the vinyl from the aluminum panels. Sounds like it's difficult, but I just keep imagining the results!

[reinergirl]

You're welcome

One thing we've noticed about links like I did in my post is that you have to be patient. Often the link will jump two or three times before it gets to the correct page. Just something to be aware of . Better minds than mine know why!

[joni78]

I assume our encaps are fiberglass, unless a plastic was used, There are a few cracks. Can I patch these with the same thing they repair boats with?