Removed my blue stripe and found this

[tombonnerdvm]

So I decided to remove my blue stripe on my 77 sovereign and discoverd this. I think I posted the pic. Looks like they had this decal on and wire wheeled it off when they decided to put the blue stripe on. It’s on both sides. I tried googling it but I didn’t find anything. My main concern is how do I get that scratched up spot to look like the rest of the aluminum or is it too far gone

[ROBERT CROSS]

"Airstream Country" may have been a dealer that the PO was unhappy with.

I'm afraid it will have to be covered again...the clear is gone and blending is doable but it will always be noticeable.

Come up with an AS name and put a vinyl decal there.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[tombonnerdvm]

Well that sucks. I was wanting to leave it bare if I could. I guess I could just paint over the decal to match the underbelly trim color which is graphite gray but the dang decals were in different spots on the stripe. So no way to sand/polish???

[n2916s]

I don’t think there is any way to get it to look decent other than to reapply the vinyl stripe or to paint it.

Plastikote, the clearcoat used on the earlier trailers is no longer available so even if you got it polished to a semi-matte finish to match the rest of the trailer, there would be no good way to recoat it.

[MAJORJDB]

Greetings, we removed the factory stripping(multi-stripes) which were about 6" wide with a single 3" stripe on our 1989 Excella. With the rub rail trim in place, it just looked better than leaving it bare and having to polish out the ghost "lines" from the previous stripping. While we do have small ghost "lines" above/below our new stripe, they are hard to see, the new stripe matches the awning stripes and helps to "tie" the trailer/awnings together. I agree with the other comments that painting/restriping would be the best option. You could look for a cover stripe that best matches your trailer patina. Good luck and stay safe!!!
Jim & Gretchen

[ROBERT CROSS]

If you can get it smooth enough you could vinyl wrap the area between the moldings.

This company has 12' wide vinyl, I used 1"and 1/2" reflective on "Cloudsplitter"👍

Bob
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[tombonnerdvm]

I appreciate y’all’s input. Thanks

[WORCShopATX]

I'm new to the Airstream life, but my background in art and metalwork tells me it's do-able. It may take awhile, and plenty of elbow grease but start with a rough grit sandpaper and work it out, then step up your grit until you work out all the scratches and get to a polish. If it doesn't seem to be working, you can always paint or decal like has been mentioned. Also, maybe try some paint stripper before the sandpaper?

[Hoagie]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

If you can get it smooth enough you could vinyl wrap the area between the moldings.

This company has 12' wide vinyl, I used 1"and 1/2" reflective on "Cloudsplitter"👍

Bob
🇺🇸

Hi Bob,

I've seen a couple of your posts where you show how you replaced the failed plastic chrome piece in side moldings on your AS with 3M Vinyl Striping from VinylStriping.com
I am interested in making this change as well, but I have a question regarding the vinyl tape.

I see that it is available in multiple colors and widths and comes in 150ft rolls. My question is, how thick is the tape? Meaning, how far does it stick up in the side moldings? Is it as thick as say, electrical tape? Or does it have more substance?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Hoagie

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by Hoagie

I have a question regarding the vinyl tape. I see that it is available in multiple colors and widths and comes in 150ft rolls. My question is, how thick is the tape?

The answer is "it depends." The Standard vinyl is 3.5 mil, Premium/Metallic/Fluorescent are all 2 mil, and Reflective is 6 mil per the specs found on the page displayed at the link provided.

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

The answer is "it depends." The Standard vinyl is 3.5 mil, Premium/Metallic/Fluorescent are all 2 mil, and Reflective is 6 mil per the specs found on the page displayed at the link provided.

That reflective tape sure would make your Airstream stand out on the highway at night.

[72sahara]

Put the Silver Scratch Off in blue on It...

[guskmg]

As for clear coat. Lacquer clear use to be a repair method. I have used Permacote on trailers in the past. I'm not sure it is still available either. Use auto clear coat.
guskmg

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Hoagie

Hi Bob,

I've seen a couple of your posts where you show how you replaced the failed plastic chrome piece in side moldings on your AS with 3M Vinyl Striping from VinylStriping.com
I am interested in making this change as well, but I have a question regarding the vinyl tape.

I see that it is available in multiple colors and widths and comes in 150ft rolls. My question is, how thick is the tape? Meaning, how far does it stick up in the side moldings? Is it as thick as say, electrical tape? Or does it have more substance?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Hoagie

It does not stand proud of the molding shoulder. Electrical tape is a bit thicker, it's very pliable and will stretch. 1/2" for the top, 1" for the bottom. Blue 9005 reflective. A 150' roll gave us enough for 6 mistakes with enough left for future repairs.🥴👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by davidz71

That reflective tape sure would make your Airstream stand out on the highway at night.

Might be true! I haven't been tailgated too closely at night in 75,000 miles of travel.

[mnicholson65]

Well the strip damage aside, that '77 is in awesome shape!

[JCWDCW]

I talked to someone who had sanded his aluminum to be able to paint one section of it. He planned on polishing the rest, but he let the sander run over into his unpainted area. He was able to remove most of the scratches with his polisher, but he had done a really good job of damaging the finish. If your scratches are not too deep you might be able to polish them out.

Removing old decals is difficult once they are baked in the sun for 10 or 15 years. Suspect the PO did discover that!! I'm dealing with this on my '96 Excella
JCW