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Roadrunner · 09-02-2009, 07:25 PM

We just purchased a 1978 28' Ambassador. The skin is actually not in bad shape; however, it is showing it's age. An estimate to strip, polish, and clearcoat comes in around $6800. Given the time...how many would buy the polishers and do it yourself? How many have done this? Thanks for the advice.

Bob

garry · 09-02-2009, 07:37 PM

IMO $6800 was a bid from someone that did not want the job a more realistic bid would be $100 per ft.

I polished a 31ft no doubt it is hard work but not $3100 hard.

Do a search there must be 50 or 60 post on polishing.

Garry

goransons · 09-02-2009, 07:38 PM

Wow I'm in the wrong business if thats what it costs, wow!

toastie · 09-02-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyLeo101

We just purchased a 1978 28' Ambassador. The skin is actually not in bad shape; however, it is showing it's age. An estimate to strip, polish, and clearcoat comes in around $6800. Given the time...how many would buy the polishers and do it yourself? How many have done this? Thanks for the advice.

Bob

Can a 1978 be polished? if so check this out, they do great work.
http://www.pandstrailerservice.com/

overlander63 · 09-02-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toastie

Can a 1978 be polished?

Yes. There is currently a 1997 34' in the shop where I work that has been polished.

danalee · 09-02-2009, 07:53 PM

Its good exercise-for that amount of money I would do it myself.

toastie · 09-02-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

Yes. There is currently a 1997 34' in the shop where I work that has been polished.

Does the 1997 have a high mirror shine. The pure aluminum alclading that allows the skin to take a high polish was used up until the middle of the 1982 production run, when the finish was changed to a satin finish.

overlander63 · 09-02-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toastie

Does the 1997 have a high mirror shine. The pure aluminum alclading that allows the skin to take a high polish was used up until the middle of the 1982 production run, when the finish was changed to a satin finish.

It's extremely shiny. I'll ask the owners' permission if I can take and post a photo of it tomorrow. If you see a photo, the answer was "yes". If not, it was "no".

toastie · 09-02-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyLeo101

We just purchased a 1978 28' Ambassador. The skin is actually not in bad shape; however, it is showing it's age. An estimate to strip, polish, and clearcoat comes in around $6800. Given the time...how many would buy the polishers and do it yourself? How many have done this? Thanks for the advice.

Bob

Bob

Check this out.......... POLISHING

truckasaurus · 09-02-2009, 09:46 PM

I opted to buy some equipment, (Makita 7" polisher ~$250) and Jestco polish kit $119 and give it a try. Worst case; just sell the polisher and take it to a pro.

So far it's somewhat dirty work and I'm glad I have an iPod....

**azflycaster** · 09-02-2009, 09:57 PM

Go for it. It's a lot of work, but very rewarding when you are done. Problem is that you are really never done.

overlander64 · 09-02-2009, 10:08 PM

The price quoted isn't that far out of reason if it includes Airstream approved Plasticoat. When I had my Overlander refinished six years ago, it was a little over $200 per foot of trailer length -- this did include 16 hours of intensive labor and special equipment charges to correct a previous owner's attempt at polishing that left the entire curbisde full of sanding scratches. Six years later, and I am still a very happy customer -- there is some very minor hazing of the Platicoat on both endcaps (center panel front and back), but even having these reprossed won't be that objectionable as I was able to get something not easily obtained without experience -- a refinish that looked just like 1964 -- just the right amount of sheen.

Kevin

LHall · 09-02-2009, 10:43 PM

It is a lot of work but the sense of accomplishment is awesome not to mention a little theraputic. Plus you can put the $6800.00 to other uses like generators, solar panels... axles.. etc...

Becky B. · 09-03-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckasaurus

I opted to buy some equipment, (Makita 7" polisher ~$250) and Jestco polish kit $119 and give it a try. Worst case; just sell the polisher and take it to a pro.

So far it's somewhat dirty work and I'm glad I have an iPod....

I'm glad I have an IPod too! I listened to so many books this summer that I feel like I have a personal relationship with Alex Cross & Vampires!

Get yourself some good soap to cut the blackness off of you! I hope I don't have black lung--couldn't stand wearing the mask. It is very rewarding & I find it relaxing. If an old chick like I can do it, so can you!

87MH · 09-03-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyLeo101

We just purchased a 1978 28' Ambassador. ... An estimate to strip, polish, and clearcoat comes in around $6800. Given the time...how many would buy the polishers and do it yourself? How many have done this? Thanks for the advice.

At what price to you value your personal time?

First, you start with a typical ragged out 1978 Sovereign:

Then, three years and one hurricane later, you end up with this:

Yes, that pathetic little twig of a tree in the first picture is one and the same as pictured above.

The problem with a "turn key" polish bid is the differences in the owner's and the bidder's individual definition of "polish". Differing definitions of "polish" will quickly turn into a spitting match between the two parties and both will feel as if each took an economic loss. In my opinion, better to work by the hour, then, if you don't like what you see, either start over or accept the job 'as is'.

You can get 20 foot polish (looks great on a cloudy day from 20' away) in a hundred hours or so, but to get a really mirror job with NO swirls visible in the sun it will take three or four times as long.

The intial polish job on the 30' Sovereign required $2,000 in supplies (all in) and a total of 480 hours of labor (a combination of paid for semi-skilled, some of my own) in 2007.

2008 maintenance (on the exterior polish) was $600 in supplies and 140 hours of labor in total.

So far, in 2009, $250 in supplies and 70 hours of total labor are in washing and polishing. Expect to "touch up" the polish every three to six months. I HAVE found that the more the aluminum is "worked" the easier it is to touch up.

Some owner's will spend more or less time than others in doing the same job. My investment in time is probably on the upper end of the scale, but the hours ARE accurate. I will probably NOT do another such project, but I am pleased with both the exterior and interior work on the '78.

There is no clearcoat, I have not been able to convince myself that ANY product will stick to a "mirrored" polished aluminum surface. I have talked to several manufacturers, but all have backed off of a claim to provide satisfactory performance when I explained the application.

overlander63 · 09-24-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

It's extremely shiny. I'll ask the owners' permission if I can take and post a photo of it tomorrow. If you see a photo, the answer was "yes". If not, it was "no".

Here are some pictures, better late than never, the shine actually works against a good picture:

Bowmans · 09-28-2009, 08:10 PM

First, all of your polish photos above look tremendous!

As far as to the original poster, we have a 1979 and it polished up mirror finish so your 1978 should as well. We started back in March after we got our 31' and I have put in 350 hours on the polishing as well as some other outside maintenance and re-painting the emblems, etc. I wore my ipod out as well while working on it. We had just 30 years of oxidation/buildup and the clear coat was failing on the roof down to about middle of the windows. I couldn't image 50-60 years worth of buildup some of the members here have polished out. I still see spots where I could have done better (like the fridge access door vents, where the blue vinyl sticker stripes were, front end cap where I was learning to polish, etc.) but am pleased with the outcome of my "therapeutic" time spent. I can see where someone would charge $6500 for the work although I have always been a DIYer, even if my hourly rate on this was something like $1.

Before and after shots:

Sorry for the pictures... just so proud of the outcome.

Frank&Mike · 09-29-2009, 03:06 PM

Bowmans ---- what a beautiful job! I would post photos as well. A great job to be proud of. It inspires me to just bite the bullet and get started on the same for our 1988 Excella.

Al Boondy · 09-07-2016, 06:07 PM

I'll do it for $6700.

Roadrunner · 09-07-2016, 07:17 PM

Didn't expect to see such an old post resurface. I decided to tackle this project on my own. I think I've used every technique available. Like others, I am very pleased with the results. Therapeutic? Well maybe. When you are on the other end of a Dewalt polisher you really don't think about anything else but not damaging your aluminum skin or fall off the scaffolding. Our "78" polished up nicely...and if that wasn't enough, I followed it up with a "60" Overlander, "74" Tradewind and have a "74" Overlander waiting to be polished.

This has to be the dirtiest job I have ever seen. One word of caution...eye protection, hearing protection and DO NOT BREATH THE ALUMINUM OXIDE! Use a mask of some sort. Thanks for all who challenged me so many years ago to "go for it".

Bob "Roadrunner"
Indiana, PA

WBCCI 4871
TAC PA-5