I screwed up and scratched up the exterior

[GettinAway]

We were under siege at the farm. Thousands of Asian beetles were all over our trailer.
I ordered some traps from Amazon. Good reviews, etc.. Well I was in a big hurry, as usual and just didn’t think. I hung the two traps on the sides of the trailer. One was from the stove vent, the other from the strap for my street side awning. The traps did not catch a single Asian beetle. Instead a big wind came up and started swinging the traps back and forth. So I have perfect smiling scratches on both sides. On the last wash and wax I tried to just rub them out. They aren’t deep, as I saw what was happening and pulled them off pretty quickly. So far they seem impervious to a little elbow grease. I’ll attach a pic. Makes me sad, and a little embarrassed about looking at them.
Anyone have any potential solutions? You don’t have to reveal your boneheaded mistake in the process. I talked to the local dealer today. I was told there’s nothing they can do. I’m wondering if a ceramic coating might hide them. Don’t know.
Thx
Jeff

[John Ware]

If the scratches didn't get deeper than the clear coat, you can polish them out with a mild car polish made for clear coat. A buffer will be quicker, but be careful with it.

[majorairhead]

Try the scratchx first. Go easy to start. Most automotive places have it.

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/...07-7-oz-liquid

If that doesn't do it, you can try this.

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/...6-16-oz-liquid

[GettinAway]

Thank you guys. I ordered some of the Meguiars scratch stuff. Will start very carefully.

[tjdonahoe]

Leave it buffing it will just thin out the remaing clear coat

[GOUSC]

I know you don’t like the look of the scratches but I would think the main issue would filiform(?) arising if the clear coat has been scratched thru. To protect that area from that, Collin Hyde recommended a product called Sharkhide to me to control that issue. There are posts disputing if you can use it on your entire trailer but I think it would work in small areas where the clear coat is scratched and I have used it in small areas. It’s still early in the process for me to see if it controls the filiform.

[Ray Eklund]

Tow it to a Detail Shop and have them do the work. They will do it right. They will need to SEE IT... in person.

Call and ask if they will do it, first.

They can do it right. If you do it yourself... it may cost you more in the long run to have the Detail Shop fix what you did to fix... the problem. They will work with the panel to blend it all.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

We were under siege at the farm. Thousands of Asian beetles were all over our trailer.
I ordered some traps from Amazon. Good reviews, etc.. Well I was in a big hurry, as usual and just didn’t think. I hung the two traps on the sides of the trailer. One was from the stove vent, the other from the strap for my street side awning. The traps did not catch a single Asian beetle. Instead a big wind came up and started swinging the traps back and forth. So I have perfect smiling scratches on both sides. On the last wash and wax I tried to just rub them out. They aren’t deep, as I saw what was happening and pulled them off pretty quickly. So far they seem impervious to a little elbow grease. I’ll attach a pic. Makes me sad, and a little embarrassed about looking at them.
Anyone have any potential solutions? You don’t have to reveal your boneheaded mistake in the process. I talked to the local dealer today. I was told there’s nothing they can do. I’m wondering if a ceramic coating might hide them. Don’t know.
Thx
Jeff

I had a similar scratch when something fell alongside. Mine were worse than yours.
I used Simichrome.
Do not use power tools, instead, put a dab on a cloth like a handkerchief, and rub the scratch in a circular pattern. It takes hours, but it's strangely satisfying to see the scratches slowly disappear. You'll know when to quit.

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by GOUSC

I know you don’t like the look of the scratches but I would think the main issue would filiform(?) arising if the clear coat has been scratched thru. To protect that area from that, Collin Hyde recommended a product called Sharkhide to me to control that issue. There are posts disputing if you can use it on your entire trailer but I think it would work in small areas where the clear coat is scratched and I have used it in small areas. It’s still early in the process for me to see if it controls the filiform.

Filliform is caused by differential metal contact...usually the Zamac type lights and bezels around openings reacting with aluminum.

The scratches if deep enough will lead to the aluminum corroding and losing its lustre.

I doubt the plastic traps have scratched through the clear-coat.
Polishing will reduce, if not eliminate the scratches. Other than that you have your first badge of experience on your trailer. Be happy it isn't a dent!!!!
JCW

[Peter417]

Those traps will attract more beetles than you had before putting traps out.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Thank you guys. I ordered some of the Meguiars scratch stuff. Will start very carefully.

ScratchX from Meguiars is extremely mild stuff. You 'could' rub through the clear coat but you'd have to rub hard for a long, long time.

If you pull a fingernail across the marks you have there, and your fingernail does NOT catch a groove, then ScratchX will help considerably.

If you want, pick a scratch on your car, or your kid's car, or a lawn tractor, and try it out on one of those first, so you get the feel for the stuff.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Peter417

Those traps will attract more beetles than you had before putting traps out.

I bought 6. Have yet to see a single lady bug/ Asian beetle in any of them. They are still piled up next to doors. We extended the awning a few weeks ago, and there were hundreds falling out.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

ScratchX from Meguiars is extremely mild stuff. You 'could' rub through the clear coat but you'd have to rub hard for a long, long time.

If you pull a fingernail across the marks you have there, and your fingernail does NOT catch a groove, then ScratchX will help considerably.

If you want, pick a scratch on your car, or your kid's car, or a lawn tractor, and try it out on one of those first, so you get the feel for the stuff.

Going to give it a shot. No power tools. I’ve got plenty of scratches on my old FJ Cruiser (200,000+ miles) to practice on.
Thanks!

[gator.bigfoot]

Some scratches that aren't too deep you can reduce or get out. But be careful. You can easily go through the clear coat. Worse case you'll need to have the panel re-cleared. Best not to have to go to this extent, but stuff happens.

[Gotta_Travel]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I had a similar scratch when something fell alongside. Mine were worse than yours.
I used Simichrome.
Do not use power tools, instead, put a dab on a cloth like a handkerchief, and rub the scratch in a circular pattern. It takes hours, but it's strangely satisfying to see the scratches slowly disappear. You'll know when to quit.

I’ve only used simichrome to polish pipes on my motorbikes. It works absolute magic de-yellowing chrome pipes.

That’s cool it worked on the body panels of the AS because it’s recommended to be used only on uncoated metals.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Gotta_Travel

That’s cool it worked on the body panels of the AS because it’s recommended to be used only on uncoated metals.

Maybe it's because I only used a dab on a clean cloth.
I didn't cut through the clear coat or discolor it.
It took a few sessions.
I found Simichrome when I wanted to remove some fine scratches on a polished firearm. Took forever, but I was happy with the results.
It's about the consistency of toothpaste, and a dab might be 1/4" diameter. Get a stool and work one area at a time.

[Gotta_Travel]

Very nice. That’s the trick: slow and steady!
Good to know this stuff is a viable option because I always have a tube around.

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

Filliform is caused by differential metal contact...usually the Zamac type lights and bezels around openings reacting with aluminum.

The scratches if deep enough will lead to the aluminum corroding and losing its lustre.

I doubt the plastic traps have scratched through the clear-coat.
Polishing will reduce, if not eliminate the scratches. Other than that you have your first badge of experience on your trailer. Be happy it isn't a dent!!!!
JCW

It may be caused by differing metals but if I remember how Collin explained it to me it is where the metal is scratched or, has places where moisture penetrates under the clear coat. Once that happens it just keeps creeping under the clear coat of the adjacent aluminum.

He also said the aluminum is clear coated before it gets to Airstream. When the factory cuts the sheets there is no clear coat on the sides and these areas are prime for filiform to occur as moisture creeps in those edges and keeps expanding to other areas. It is also possible in the sharp bends in the aluminum at the front and rear end caps where the clear coat is stretched and may allow for moisture to get underneath the clear coat.

If any of these occur you may need to have new clear coat applied. Collin uses Sharkhide in these situations. A friend of mine just has his Airstream ceramic coated and this provides the same protection. It’s a little pricey but the results are amazing.

In your situation, if the clear coat is compromised just keep a good eye on it to monitor for filiform.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

Filliform is caused by differential metal contact...usually the Zamac type lights and bezels around openings reacting with aluminum.

The scratches if deep enough will lead to the aluminum corroding and losing its lustre.

I doubt the plastic traps have scratched through the clear-coat.
Polishing will reduce, if not eliminate the scratches. Other than that you have your first badge of experience on your trailer. Be happy it isn't a dent!!!!
JCW

No galvanic corrosion is caused by differential metal contact. As GOUSC said Filliform corrosion is when corrosion penetrates between surfaces, regardless of what started the initial corrosion. On Airstreams those surfaces would be aluminum and clear coat.

[tbrowne]

I would use a decent random orbital polisher with a medium cutting polish and polish the side of the trailer to remove the damage. You'll be happy with the result and you can do it in your driveway with an investment of a couple of hundred dollars. Polishing your damage by hand would be a long, hard ordeal.

Use the links below to get an idea of what is involved.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...es-160603.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et6Egpw-f-s