buffing Argosy motorhome

[Wild Hare1]

Working on polishing an Airstream Argosy motor home for someone else. The Argosy has been stripped using PR-5044. Will be using Nuvite F9, C and S for buffing and polishing. Also using a Dewalt DWP849 varible speed polisher with wool pads for the F9 and C. Finishing with a Cyclo polisher and Grade S.



As indicated I have stripped all but the end caps and top which will be painted.


First question: Someone has used what I suspect was a drill and wire wheel on a significant portion of the panels resulting in very ugly swirl type scratches. Also there are areas with deep scratches that were not visible before the paint was removed; told these were likely from branches. Any recommendations for removing these scratches would be appreciated.



Second question: On one panel there is a dark area where something has been embedded in the porosity of the aluminum. Recommendations?



Third question: I have been using the F9, typically two to three times over each area. I have started to get swirl marks particularly where I change direction from right to left motion. I frequently use a spur to clean the pads and I have tried changing pads without success. I do spray area with water and wipe down with a microfiber cloth between applications.Thoughts?


Any input or suggestions will be most appreciated

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Wild Hare1

First question: Someone has used what I suspect was a drill and wire wheel on a significant portion of the panels resulting in very ugly swirl type scratches. Also there are areas with deep scratches that were not visible before the paint was removed; told these were likely from branches. Any recommendations for removing these scratches would be appreciated.

This may have been done at the Argosy factory to help the paint adhere - not from branches afterwards. I've also heard, that Argosy used panels that were damaged at Airstream to make the Argosy's - thus the paint. Airstream developed the Argosy line to use up those "damaged" panels and also to test out some ideas before building them into Airstreams. The bare aluminum panels are pretty fragile and could be easily damaged during manufacturing - it would make sense that they come up with a way to use them.

Originally Posted by Wild Hare1

Second question: On one panel there is a dark area where something has been embedded in the porosity of the aluminum. Recommendations?

This could also be a "damaged panel" from manufacturing that is structurally fine, but would be better painted. OR if it is an area that you have already polished - it could be that you burned through the Alclad with to aggressive polishing.

Originally Posted by Wild Hare1

Third question: I have been using the F9, typically two to three times over each area. I have started to get swirl marks particularly where I change direction from right to left motion. I frequently use a spur to clean the pads and I have tried changing pads without success. I do spray area with water and wipe down with a microfiber cloth between applications. Thoughts?

It is a real good idea to keep everything as clean as possible - free from dirt & accumulated grit. We would machine wash our polishing pads after use - usually at the end of each work day. The swirls are usually reduced with each subsequent & finer grade of polish, then they go away when you use the Cyclo-Polisher at the end.

Good luck - sounds like a big project! I'm sure it will look great when you are done ~

Shari

[Isuzusweet]

Tell that British bugger to come over and polish his own bloody Argosy.

You should get a medal, E

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[martin300662]

I would have declared it 'done' by now!

[Wild Hare1]

Normally I restrict my work to British vehicles. Peanut got in on the basis of ownership. To call it done, I haven't suffered enough yet for such a drastic measure.



I'll post a couple good pictures in the next few days.