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Wagonner1980 · 05-31-2009, 06:34 PM

I just bought a 1962 Tradewind and I can't tell if it has a clear coat. I've read several forums and seen pictures but I still can't positively verfiy that I have a clear coat and why do the striping process if I don't have to. I read in a fourm that in 63 Airstream offered clearcoat as an option and then in 64 they clear coated everything. Can anyone deny or confirm the year clearcoat started? Thank You.

RBolton · 05-31-2009, 07:00 PM

Welcome to the Forums.

Using a mildly abrasive polish and a soft cloth or waxing pad, polish a small inconspicuous area of your AS. If the cloth comes away with a blackish residue the trailer is not currently clearcoated.

This does not answer your question about when clearcoating started but should tell you if your trailer has a clearcoat on it now.

Roger

Levon · 05-31-2009, 07:37 PM

I think it was around 1965 that Airstream started using Plasticoat (we refer to as clearcoat). Try using toothpaste for the polishing compound, and as already stated, if it comes out black on the cloth...no clear coat. Your trailer being a little older could still have had the coating added sometime later.

Levon

dwightdi · 05-31-2009, 08:00 PM

What you heard is right. My 63 was built in Jackson Center. It was never clear coated (plasticoat). I took some parts off and the original factory finish was under the trim. It was pretty bright and shinny when it came from the factory. This unit had the Alclad aluminum so it shines nicely. My buddy's 64 was coated but he stripped it and polished it.

overlander64 · 05-31-2009, 09:29 PM

I am not certain when PlastiCoat was first offered as an option, but by 1964, it was a regular option. The 1964 price list indicates that Plasticoat was an option costing:

$17.00 Bambi II
$19.00 Globe Trotter
$22.00 Safari
$24.00 Trade Wind
$26.00 Overlander
$28.00 Ambassador
$30.00 Sovereign

Plasticoat was also listed on the 1960 options price list with the same pricing offered in 1964. How much before 1960 Plasticoat was offered as an option is not clear, but it was not in the list of options for the 1957 coaches.

Kevin