Polishing, what to do - what to do?

[sidburgess]

I can tell you that purchasing a BuffPro was by far the smartest decision in this renovation thus far. There's a reason the big tanker detail shops use them. Find one, buy it, and not only will you find your speed vastly improve, but it's much easier physically to hold and manage.

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by sidburgess

I can tell you that purchasing a BuffPro was by far the smartest decision in this renovation thus far. There's a reason the big tanker detail shops use them. Find one, buy it, and not only will you find your speed vastly improve, but it's much easier physically to hold and manage.

I've seen a couple of videos and they certainly seem pretty strong. Good luck with your renovation, Sounds like you've got quite a project. Good luck with it.

Pete

[sidburgess]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

I've seen a couple of videos and they certainly seem pretty strong. Good luck with your renovation, Sounds like you've got quite a project. Good luck with it.

Pete

Thanks Pete. I've been bad about posting pictures here but my partner has been good about posting on our Facebook page. Look up Open Air Family if you want to follow along. Cheers!

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by sidburgess

Thanks Pete. I've been bad about posting pictures here but my partner has been good about posting on our Facebook page. Look up Open Air Family if you want to follow along. Cheers!

Visited your Facebook page. Your wife is doing a great job of documenting the experience. That's one hell of a reno you guys are doing there. It's a good thing you have such a willing crew. Quite a family project. Thanks for the share.

Best wishes to all of you.

Pete

[sidburgess]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

Visited your Facebook page. Your wife is doing a great job of documenting the experience. That's one hell of a reno you guys are doing there. It's a good thing you have such a willing crew. Quite a family project. Thanks for the share.

Best wishes to all of you.

Pete

Thanks Pete. We're have a blast.

[bellonaples]

Originally Posted by sidburgess

I can tell you that purchasing a BuffPro was by far the smartest decision in this renovation thus far. There's a reason the big tanker detail shops use them. Find one, buy it, and not only will you find your speed vastly improve, but it's much easier physically to hold and manage.

Glad to hear Buff Pro helped you. I have only good things to say about it as well

[Re-Pete]

Let's see a show of hands for anyone who hates polishing #@*%&$! CURVES AND CORNERS! [emoji35][emoji113] [emoji119] [emoji114] [emoji112] [emoji107] [emoji122] [emoji33] !!! [emoji28]

[Re-Pete]

As I've said I'm polishing with rouge.
So, a couple of questions to fellow polishers:

This is all getting done outside and in the woods of northern Virginia. When it rains it's leaving water spots on my shiny aluminum and they are not wiping off. I've tried mineral spirits and mild soap and water followed with a quick micro fiber drying wipe. No love. Most of the spots remain.

Please give me some good news regarding how to fix this.

Also, I'd love to hear technique wise how others have polished window and hatch trim.
With the Windows, Did you mask off your glass to protect it ?

I'm thinks I'll go around the edges with some 1-1/2" or 2" blue painters tape. That said, I'm still not sure what the best way to polish them are.

Last question (for now). It's a two parter:
How did you paint and shine your cast emblems?
And, how did you find the color you wanted to paint the recessed areas?

I'd like to match the blue in my trim belts or on my Airstream cap logos.

[jeg5263]

Water spots on being caused by acid rain for lack of a better word the best way to get them out is a good quality liquid metal polish and if that doesn't work go over it with a untreated buffing wheel and some finishing rouge. Rain water has contaminates in it. One remedy to help avoid this is also to follow up with a good wax for protection.

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by jeg5263

Water spots on being caused by acid rain for lack of a better word the best way to get them out is a good quality liquid metal polish and if that doesn't work go over it with a untreated buffing wheel and some finishing rouge. Rain water has contaminates in it. One remedy to help avoid this is also to follow up with a good wax for protection.

Yeah, I believe you're right. Ain't nothing easy. [emoji13] I'm going to try running back over those areas with the Cyclo and Metal Armor polish. Hopefully that'll do it. I'm also going to try washing a couple areas with some carnauba wax and see if that solves the problem then I guess I'll try and protect what I can and possibly Cyclo and wax again when I'm done.

Thanks,
Pete

[Re-Pete]

Forgot to post pictures so I'm rendering post.

Pete

[Re-Pete]

So, here are some pics of what we've accomplished the last few days. The back end is done (a friend called it the shiny hiney). Also, the lower roof sections above the awnings on both sides. The refrigerator roof vent. The darn thing I'd very dented, but they're not to easy to b see from the ground, but it's shiny. Removed the logo from the front cap today. Starting yesterday, and I wish I'd tried it soon, I did a controlled acid wash on the roof sections and most of the front cap. I'll do the rest of the cap tomorrow. I'm also considering acid washing the sections above the windows on both sides, but particularly the patio side. Lots of corrosion and discoloration there.

[sidburgess]

Looking good!!

[Re-Pete]

I'm wondering, who else has tried using an acid wash (aluminum brightener) on certain areas and what their results were. And what their thoughts on using an acid wash are.

Me personally, I wish I'd done it sooner.
I tried it first on the top of the roof where it couldn't be seen if things went horribly wrong. Nothing went wrong, I sprayed it directly on the aluminum from the trigger sprayer it came in and then sponged it around. I left it dwell for about 30 seconds and wiped it off then rinse sponged it some more with clear water.
I found that spraying the acid into a sponge first have me a lot more control on where it went. I also began spritzing the tested areas with soapy water to neutralize it after a sufficient dwell time so I could control bigger areas. Then I'd mop it up with a different sponge and rinse the areas thoroughly with my hose. Wipe everything dry and start polishing. So glad I decided to work top down.

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by sidburgess

Looking good!!

Thanks Sid!

[GailMac]

Your AS is looking great. Lots of work but you will get lots of good comments once you hit the road with it. Mac

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by GailMac

Your AS is looking great. Lots of work but you will get lots of good comments once you hit the road with it. Mac

Thank you Mac.
It is a lot of work. Because we must leave here around Oct. 1st, polishing is now my full time job. Hopefully, I'll get finished, or at least close. I can't afford to many rain days. [emoji27]

I tried the aluminum brightener (acid wash) again today on the curb side. Started polishing the area above the windows, which has a lot of oxidation from years without clear coat. It was taking a lot of passes and really wearing me out. Finally after only advancing about four feet in nearly three hours I tried the brightener. That made an impressive difference. It removed that much corrosion. Instead of 8 to 10 passes it's now more like four or less. I'll take it!

[Re-Pete]

So here's a link to another thread where I was getting some help with awning removal. Concerning the work I've had done with the awnings. Progress pictures are included.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/show....php?p=2014425

[Re-Pete]

I just removed and painted my range vent cover. I'm happy with the result. Pics to follow.

Also, a couple of progress pictures. Nearly done with the polishing. I've done some of the Cyclo buffing (approx. 25%) already, but still need to do the rest of that also. Reconnect lights, emblems, etc. Emblems may not get finished before we're back in the road.

[Re-Pete]

Hate it when I do that. Here are the additional pictures I meant to post.