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Wayne&Sam · 07-19-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowolf

I purchased a 2001 Miata British Racing green SE that was kept covered outside by the previous owner. The paint job was full of swirl scratches as a result which really show up on BRG paint.

My 1990 Red Miata has the softest paint I've ever seen.

craftsman · 07-19-2007, 11:42 AM

Here are a few cars that have aluminum bodies:
Ferrari
Range Rover
Land Rover
Aston Martin
Audi A8
Accura NSX
Honda Insight
Jaguar XJ8
Mercedes CL
The clear coat is protecting the finish.

LLB21 · 07-19-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowolf

I contacted Airstream about using covers and this was their official response:

"Airstream does not recommend a cover. The cover can hold moisture and cause the skin to oxidize and will also scratch the finish."
Dick Deardurff / Customer Relations

Dirt and grit on the Airstream will be an issue. Every time you put the cover on and take it off it will scratch. Every time the wind blows it will scratch. I prefer to keep mine waxed and uncovered.

I agree. You should not cover clearcoated Airstreams.

Argosys are OK. They are painted with multi-stage automotive paint.

That is not the same as the clearcoat on the Airstreams.

craftsman · 07-19-2007, 01:27 PM

My 2007 25' Classic is going to be covered, so this can be the test.

TinShack · 07-19-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftsman

I think ,if you have any doubts at all ,you shouldn't do it.

I have doubts so I don't think I will. You don't seem to have any doubt about it so I think you should cover yours and report back to us after a few years and let us all know how it went.

tphan · 07-19-2007, 05:06 PM

well ,I'll chime in briefly: took the soft, breatheable, JCWhitney cover off my '72 with original OK looking clearcoat, nothing real shiny or special, after 2 years- AND....... it looks the same. There were already some rubbed-through marks from the PO, don't know if from a stiff tarp, or branches, or what- they're still there but no new ones. I think it goes without saying to wash all the grit off your coach before covering, IF you're thinking of covering.

Dureedesign · 07-20-2007, 05:45 PM

Ah Ha! At last...a reasonable answer! Thank you for your research and diligence! Now, that that is fairly resolved, once again, does anybody or everybody recommend covering the tires for long periods of time with no use? Or is that a myth?

craftsman · 07-20-2007, 07:18 PM

Not a myth, the uv rays from the sun will dry the tires. Cover them.Try 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant, Fabric Cleaner, Car Care Kits

millvalleyca · 09-01-2007, 09:10 AM

Hey Craftsman
Did you get your cover yet? How is the fit? I'm thinking of getting one because of tree sap and debri.
Thanks
Dennis

geirws · 09-01-2007, 11:20 AM

I went to a garage sale and bought some old sheets. covered the motorhome with them,put a thin plastic sheet over that and then a tarp. And where the tie downs touch the body put foam rubber or something between.

geirws · 09-02-2007, 11:44 AM

I should have added that I covered my MH because I had a huge tree across the ally from me which in the spring dropped these sticky seeds all over the MH and stained the paint. The tree's gone now.So I won't cover it now. But I do wax it in the fall and again just before I use it for the summer

DreamStreamr · 09-27-2007, 09:30 PM

I wish we could cover our Airstream while 'on the road'. We built a Sunbrella awning beside our garage at the house to shelter our trailer the last three years. It kept the leaves and bird exhaust and limbs and rain and sun off the top. I would have liked having the ends and side covered too but, unlike Craftsman, didn't challenge the old school about covering an AS. We covered two sports cars but only when they were freshly washed or, as 2Air says, dusted.

Now we are living in our AS so it covers us. We'll pray for no hail in our sites and carefully handwash the unit and keep it waxed. Oh, and cover the tires on the sunny side. Hmm, wonder if I should bother getting another pair of tire covers? Maybe, or watch if its mainly the western side to worry with? We'll just have to see.

FlaAirstream · 10-04-2007, 05:01 AM

THe best solution..........take it to Florida for the winter. Your Airstream will love you for it.

ZoominC6 · 10-04-2007, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dureedesign

i never hear of anyone covering their trailer during the winter etc.....I know that other RV'ers do......what's the story? If so, is there a special brand that would fit our aluminium bubbles?

NEVER! Unless of course it's under a roof

slowmover · 03-22-2008, 08:19 PM

I've seen what happens to vehicles parked outside with a half-decent cover, and then, after a week of the usual 28-30 mph winds (with gusts to 50 and 60 mph) what is left: tatters.

I'd like to think that a cover would work well, but local climate would dictate. Our anodized skin is tougher than AlClad, but not to the point of being immune to wind whipped fabrics.

Will look forward to learning more about you all's success; please include climate data.

easyride · 06-12-2008, 05:44 PM

It`s OK to cover when it`s in the shop,out of the wind and dust,even though my GTO is not a $200,000.00 car I tried the super soft cover in carport,after a month there was all kinds of dust and sand ,tis stuff had came thru that breathable,custom fit cover,the dust and sand had done quite a job on my clear coat.There will never be a cover on my AS. Dave

TBRich · 06-12-2008, 06:23 PM

We don't cover our Bambi, but it is under a shelter (the "Bambi Port") while at home...don't think I'd like the rubbing marks, etc that happen when covered. Ov course, it gets dusty in our climate, but we wash it before each trip and we plan to wax it at least once a year (haven't done that yet, though...bad us). We do not cover the tires at home because they are always in the shade, but we do cover them when we are out if we are going to be sitting in the sun for longer than a day...especially in AZ weather...tires here wear out from the sun faster than they do from use!

DiverVan · 07-02-2008, 09:10 AM

I am going to be storing my new 19ft Safari very close to the SF Bay - and there is always salt spray and other grime deposited on our vehicles. Does this environment change the conventional wisdom on covering the trailer?

Mikethefixit · 07-02-2008, 09:15 AM

Ask Andy @ Inland RV's he lives in California and is a Airstream Expert.

2airishuman · 07-02-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiverVan

...there is always salt spray and other grime deposited on our vehicles...

hi diver' and welcome to the forums...

these 'deposits' will happen regardless, and salts will quickly saturate most cloth covers...

my preference in YOUR location would be a 3 or 4 sided shelter, NOT climate controlled.

covering

with a new unit, and if you KNOW ALREADY that salt coatings will happen...

purchase a CASE of boeshield t-9 and generously coat/spray/COVER every exposed metal surface....

Anti Corrosive Multi Purpose Metal Protection

now available in gallon size containers, but you will need to experiment with squirt/spray bottles to find 1 that works...

spray the tongue, frame, battery box, axle housings, rear rub rails, and so on (everything BUT the brakes/hubs/lugnuts)...

i would also spray every bare surface INSIDE any storage and access compartments...

like the bumper storage, wet/hose area and water heater, fridge and other outside doors...

do this right away, before the brining process begins, and repeat yearly after a good washing.

skin and fixture corrosion may be inevitable, and perhaps nothing will alter that process...

but i'd give her 2-3 wax coatings with a good polysealant too, and hope it helps...

cheers
2air'