1972 blue rubrail, OEM painted?

[Maryw164]

Can anyone tell me if the blue rub rail on our 1972 Sovereign 31ft was originally painted or did it have the inserts, or maybe a vinyl pin stripping type stuff. It is currently painted, we believe by the PO, not the best job....sloppy. I've seen threads on which product to get if we were to paint it, but is the insert type an option? Also what is the best way to cleanup the mineral build/deposits up on/near the trim edging of the rubrail and the exterior skin? Steel wool, or maybe there's a cleaner to safely use? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mary

[bullydogsmom]

Mary, It's suppose to have a vinyl insert held on by blue headed rivets. If you put any paint remover on the aluminum to remove the paint it will also remove the clear coat. Paint thinner, mineral spirits won't remove the paint. They say never use steel wool on aluminum it causes scratches.


Annette

[Ganglin]

I believe 71/72 models may have been the transistion years from pin stripe to vinyl insert. I'm basing that on a trip made to the Mothership - while I was buying the vinyl one of the older factory techs. was on the sales floor helping me and wanted to know why I was buying it instead of the tape "I thought you had a 71". Ended up concluding that if we had trim that accepted the vinyl it had been changed out and added at some point in the trailers life. Tape is what was original.

Who knows you may have a 72 that used left over tape insert trim from 71 until they used up the stock. Anything is possible with old Airstreams.

If you do it carefully you could use a little citri-strip on it to "get it back between the lines" then reinstall the tape stripe or repaint it. They have the tape at the Mothership so I'm sure a dealer could order it for you. Can you tell if the rail has the groves top and bottom to accept the vinyl insert or are the edges of the insert track smooth.... any evidence of the rivets at the end of the track that are mentioned above....

If I'm wrong on the transistion year - wait a few -someone will correct me.

[Maryw164]

It's definitely not the insert type as the channel does not have the groove to slide it into.
I spoke with Greg (very helpful) at Inland RV today and he said it probably was the tape stuff with blue rivets, but that painting it would work too. He suggested getting the tape at an auto pin-striping place. Both Greg and Terry are real assets to Inland RV. I hope Andy appreciates what valuable employees he has there. I'm sure it's not easy serving the "Airstream Emperor".

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Maryw164

It's definitely not the insert type as the channel does not have the groove to slide it into.
I spoke with Greg (very helpful) at Inland RV today and he said it probably was the tape stuff with blue rivets, but that painting it would work too. He suggested getting the tape at an auto pin-striping place. Both Greg and Terry are real assets to Inland RV. I hope Andy appreciates what valuable employees he has there. I'm sure it's not easy serving the "Airstream Emperor".

Mary.

The insert moldings started in 1974.

The best long term fix for the blue stripe, is to paint it.

The vinyl stripping will start to peel of in as little as one year.

Andy

[GStephens]

I agree with Andy. Also, over the years, there were a few customers who requested paint rather than pinstriping because the vinyl moldings would start deteriorating immediately and they didn't want to deal with it later on. Back then Airstream would pretty much try and accomodate any request. Therefore, a few rigs were produced over the years with painted stripes by the factory. I have one, a 1982 which was one of two produced that year according to the previous owner who ordered it that way. Done correctly, I think painting looks the more professional. I know it is the longer lasting.
GStephens

[Lothlorian]

Mary:

I am sure you have noticed full automobile advertisements. companies paint their van or car just like an advertisement in a magazine. Those sign guys use vinyl to do much of their work. I went to a company which does pin stripes on cars and vehicle advertisments and got my vinyl cut to rub rail specs. I took the measurements to them and length amount I needed. I picked out the blue vinyl and they put it on a computerized machine which cut the strips. This stuff sticks on the rivets and everything else. It cost me $30.00. I used a discontinude royal blue.

Brian

[Maryw164]

I think we will probably end up painting it. Any suggestions on what to use to get the old paint off? As I said before one of the PO did a sloppy job, so I need to start over.

Mary