Low VOC Paints

[Further99]

Hello fellow Airstreamers, I looked for this in previous posts, but I didn't see one thread on Low VOC paints. The interior of my 79 Airstream needs paint badly after removing part of the kitchen. I'm not sure of what the walls are made of, but I was wondering which paint would be best to use that would also be safe. Further

[mwells4654]

Hey neighbor - I did a google search and came up with this - I am not painting my interior walls - just giving them a real good cleaning. Painting seems (like everything else on a vintage airstream) very time consuming. You have to be very careful in your prep because the old surface will bleed through the paint and the wall will become tacky. Good luck.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...rim-44303.html

Also, for other searches - use the search and google search - seems to give you more to pick through.

[Trex]

I have been looking at many of the Threads concerning priming and painting the interior walls. Looks like "Plasticizers" is the major issue, which is the magration of plasticzers to the surface of the vinyl wall cover in 70's/80's Airstreams. I think it was the bonding agent between the Alum.&the vinyl, after 20 plus years it starts to break down and shows up as a sticky subtains on the surface of your walls.

Anyway.... I went to my local paint supply store today,(Cascade Paint), with my notes. To see if they have anything that may stop and/or block the migration of the plasticizers.... I had a small sample of the, (3"x3"), vinyl wall with me. Casey the owner said that Smart Pimer by Zinsser, is a new interior/exterior primer that offers the performance of an oil-base primer in an advanced water-base formula.

So, Casy talked me into trying this new product...but I only purchased a Qt. of the stuff @ 10.00 bucks a Qt. $30.00 for a gallon. I used the full Qt. today on the back street side interior wall, (which will be mostly covered by cabinets. To test the product out. Here are three photo's of the primer.... I will let you know how is performs next week after it rains for the next 4 or 5 days in northern Calif. Rex

[gwchitty]

We used Safecoat products to prime and paint. The gloss trim paint was chosen for durability. White has the lowest toxicity but you can have it color tinted. Shop around on the Internet for best price. Make sure you prep the vinyl by cleaning it well first. I think citrus based cleaner is recommend to keep the sticky feel from coming thru.

Cosmos

[tkasten]

We used Zinsser primer (2 coats) and then 2 coats of Valspar Elan Pearl Finish (low voc). 1.5 years and no problem. Finish is hard and washes well...Tim

[Trex]

Originally Posted by tkasten

We used Zinsser primer (2 coats) and then 2 coats of Valspar Elan Pearl Finish (low voc). 1.5 years and no problem. Finish is hard and washes well...Tim

Did you use the Zinsser "Cover Stain" oil base primer or the "Smart" water base primer? Both are made by Zinsser.... based on other Threads, Oil base primers lasts longer. Anyway, its nice to hear the you have not had any problems with "sticky walls".

New floors....



New roof vent and fixed leak



Removed inter vista window



New interior wheel wells


Hope to get the interior painted by next week. Trex

[tkasten]

We used Zinsser water base with 24 hr. dry time between coats. I think my 65 had zolotone paint rather than vinyl on the walls originally....Tim

[dwightdi]

Zolotone does not contain plasticizes like the vinyl. Therefore; there should be no problem painting it with any of the good primers. Personally, I have not tested either the water or solvent based Kilz primers on the vinyl yet.

[Trex]

Originally Posted by tkasten

We used Zinsser water base with 24 hr. dry time between coats. I think my 65 had zolotone paint rather than vinyl on the walls originally....Tim

Wow, your 65 looks great! I am going out soon to check my primer-painted "test area". Easy to use the Zinsser, I am really hoping that it will work for us. Its rainning light this morning here in No. Calif. So I think I will keep cleaning the walls, taping off the windows, and taking off/down the window frames, lights, and AC cover.....

PS, there is a 67/26' on Craig's list this morning for $1,200. Looks to be in "As is" condition, one missing window. Don't know if that is to much money for a 1967 Airstream trailer. Looks like it would be a body off project. I paid to much for my 72/31' and don't what to do that again.
Trex