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Old 03-17-2021, 02:20 PM   #1
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1974 31' Sovereign
Strathmere , New Jersey
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Smile Soap brand? to wash exterior

Just purchased 1974 airstream. It has sat outside for years with little to no attention paid to it. Please recommend a soap brand to use. Please recommend a brush style . Thank you.
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Old 03-17-2021, 03:32 PM   #2
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Dawn dish soap, any car wash soap, if algae etc. also on tough dirt [stains] bleach in spray bottle then soap and water small sections do not let dry. A very soft bristle brush w/long handle.
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Old 03-17-2021, 03:43 PM   #3
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Dawn is for oily Ducks...if you use a wax or sealant on your AS it does a pretty good job removing those also.

We use Griot's Car Wash and micro fiber mop on a stick for up high a MF mitt for the rest.

Bob
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Old 03-17-2021, 10:14 PM   #4
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Dawn wouldn’t be crazy if the surface has been badly neglected and you want to basically start over by stripping off any old wax along with all the other crud. Once you’ve gotten it clean then there are a lot opinions on what to wax it with. Walbernize is made for Airstreams and would be a good choice.

I use this system that’s designed for airplanes. It’s pricey to get started in though. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AG7ZM4...ing=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 03-18-2021, 08:41 AM   #5
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I appreciate you all responding. Thank you
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Old 03-18-2021, 09:29 AM   #6
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We use "DAWN" if it's good for Ducks it should be OK on Aluminium. We stopped using "Walberizer" and now use "ICE" which is a synthetic acrylic polymer. Harder finish and only requires a once a year application.
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Old 03-18-2021, 10:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
Dawn is for oily Ducks...if you use a wax or sealant on your AS it does a pretty good job removing those also.



We use Griot's Car Wash and micro fiber mop on a stick for up high a MF mitt for the rest.



Bob

[emoji631]


My mop stick is arriving today. Also have the Griot’s car wash.
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Old 03-18-2021, 11:26 AM   #8
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As post #1 states has sat outside for yrs. and neglected so it has not been washed or waxed. I stand by my post wash w/dawn to get crud off and bleach for algae, it won't hurt older AS [I do all time to remove algae around belt line and rub rail]. I use car wash w/wax one brand is turtle wash and wax and several other brands. Walbernize was not made for AS trailers but easier than simoniz paste wax, and blue coral and many fad waxes. Walbernize has been around many yrs.
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Old 03-18-2021, 11:51 AM   #9
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I use any wash product which does not contain any petroleum distillates. Usually if there is a petroleum based additive in the ingredients, it will be listed with a name starting with petro.

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Old 03-18-2021, 12:19 PM   #10
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For soap and water I use Dawn or Ivory. They're mild. I also use a brush I've had for years, part of the Surehold system. I also have the boathook fitting so the handle does double duty, retrieving those storage boxes that are out of reach. But, I'm leaning more and more on Microfiber cloths, and Griot's Garage Speed Shine. Wipe on, wipe off.
For bugs, WD-40 on Bounce dryer sheets.
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Old 03-18-2021, 12:38 PM   #11
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^
^

Griot's has great microfiber.

Trying this on the AS for the first time this Season, got the spray bottle.

POI...I would not use grease cutting soap on it though.
Bob
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Old 03-18-2021, 01:10 PM   #12
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I noticed many are recommending Griot products. Remember you get a discount as a member of the Airstream Club.
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Old 03-18-2021, 04:11 PM   #13
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Cayo Repair, the Avion experts in Watervliet, MI wash them down with Comet Cleaner and water before clear coating. This removes all the old cooked on debris and really cleans it good. I would never in my life have imagined using Comet. I though that was for toilets.
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Old 03-18-2021, 05:58 PM   #14
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Comet is abrasive, Avion is anodized airstream is shiny AS will scratch will never get scratches out. My 1st AS was 1962 22ft used in 1963 from chicken farmer in Indiana. They used steel wool all over out side did not look very nice, only reason pur. price was reflected damage by steel wool, at that time no silver paint like now & did not want any colors, didn't even try to mitigate scratches just lived w/them until pur Caravel in 1966. so IMO no comet on AS.......Stick w/toilets.
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Old 03-19-2021, 06:30 AM   #15
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Thank you all for responding. So many good ideas.
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Old 03-19-2021, 07:50 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drbrick View Post
We use "DAWN" if it's good for Ducks it should be OK on Aluminium. We stopped using "Walberizer" and now use "ICE" which is a synthetic acrylic polymer. Harder finish and only requires a once a year application.
Which specific ICE product do you use? Saw lots of different ICE products at a lot of different price points. Thanks.
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Old 03-24-2021, 09:39 AM   #17
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Griots, Mothers, or any other equivalent car wash is great. Since it doesn't have a clear coat, Dawn or a more aggressive cleaner is good too.

Walburnize is ok but I prefer Collinite products for a wax/sealant. They have a metal wax (#850) made for bare metal that is medium cut, so it should bring back a little shine.
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Old 03-25-2021, 09:16 AM   #18
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Simple Green Aircraft formula (blue label)
Soft bristle telescoping brush for rv or trucks


Auto wash cleaned it - but the difference with the aircraft formula was amazing.
Would highly recommend.
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