Airstream pattern Baldness..

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I have no experience with painting vehicles, but I'm the skeptical type. I wonder if auto clearcoats are formulated to need the primer and color coats to bond to, rather than bare aluminum?

It has seemed odd to me that just a few places redo Airstream clearcoat (P&S comes to mind) and I wonder if that's the reason. For the moment I don't have to wonder TOO much, since mine takes paint instead (and could sure use some!)

(edit) and DUH, I see a few posts above that andy is saying essentially the same thing.

Auto clear coat is designed to adhere to paint, not aluminum.

If it's applied to an Airstream, after a couple of months or so, it can be peeled off like cellophane.

Granted, the auto clear is far superior than the Plasticote, but it's purpose and useage is very different.

Andy

[mccrosti]

Andy, Oh "Oracle of the Northwest".... What in the world did Airstream use then? Where can I buy some of it? I'm just looking for something that works!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mccrosti

Andy, Oh "Oracle of the Northwest".... What in the world did Airstream use then? Where can I buy some of it? I'm just looking for something that works!

They used a different formula plasticote.

Andy

[mccrosti]

.....I guess I deserved that one

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mccrosti

.....I guess I deserved that one

Today's after market plasticote from Airstream, is a 2 part mixture.

It's available from a few dealers who stock parts.

Andy

[perryg114]

What about surface prep. Most coatings over aluminum require something like Alodine to etch and seal the surface prior to clear coating. I suppose that AS might have some special formula that is self etching.

Perry

[AldeanFan]

Whatever they use and however they use it it's not working, paint or whatever should last more than 5 years on the roof of a trailer.

Just start polishing and get it overwith! If I'm going to have to spend money and effort to maintain my finish I'm going to have the most shine I can

As a side note, I coated the aluminum wheels on my '83 Mustang in 2004 with automotive clear with a flexiblizer added, those wheels look just as good today as the day I sprayed them.

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by aldeanfan

just start polishing and get it overwith! If i'm going to have to spend money and effort to maintain my finish i'm going to have the most shine i can

+1




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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

What about surface prep. Most coatings over aluminum require something like Alodine to etch and seal the surface prior to clear coating. I suppose that AS might have some special formula that is self etching.

Perry

Perry

NEVER, EVER, etch the exterior metal for the plasticote.

Simply wash the shell down, with a "HIGH GRADE" Lacquer thinner.

If you ever used an acid, of any kind, you will be sorry that you ever did it. It will take a couple of years to show up, but you will have created many water leaks, around the rivets.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

Whatever they use and however they use it it's not working, paint or whatever should last more than 5 years on the roof of a trailer.

Just start polishing and get it overwith! If I'm going to have to spend money and effort to maintain my finish I'm going to have the most shine I can

As a side note, I coated the aluminum wheels on my '83 Mustang in 2004 with automotive clear with a flexiblizer added, those wheels look just as good today as the day I sprayed them.

Use whatever you wish, but experience would disagree.

The flaking of the clearcote is because it does not have a UV guard as part of the formula.

If it did, the clearcote would become purple.

The UV is what breaks the paint down, and causes it to age rapidly.

Andy

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Use whatever you wish, but experience would disagree.

The flaking of the clearcote is because it does not have a UV guard as part of the formula.

If it did, the clearcote would become purple.

The UV is what breaks the paint down, and causes it to age rapidly.

Andy

I agree with Andy, unfortunately the previous owner not only tried an acid wash on the left corner and discolored the aluminum badly, but when that didn't work he used a very nice Makita palm sander (that he left me) and scarred the crown for about 6 feet, and then used it lightly on the lower panels below the beltline. I concidered pushing him off a cliff but he's a nice old guy who meant well (and had poor eyesight). His quote it only needs a coat of wax on her sonny and it'll look brandy spanking new. GAHHHH
Wonder if I can polish the marvelous swirls out before softening the aluminum?

[mccrosti]

Ok, So I called Airstream, and what they said was use acrylic clear spray can. So I'm gonna try it. Andy said that some dealerships carry this stuff, so I called my dealership - Out Of Doors Mart in Colfax NC. Here is the part number if you'd like it 28174-W and their web address: Clear Acrylic Spray 28174W [28174W] - $17.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone! It's not cheap, but it is blended at Airstream. I'm gonna try it.

[sandlapper]

I have used the spray can on small problem areas on the top of mine. It seems to stop some of the peeling and has stayed on just fine for several years now.

I lightly scuffed the areas with a very fine scotch brite pad, then sprayed them.

[mccrosti]

Well John, that is exactly what Airstream support came back with this evening. So that is what I'll do. Not looking for perfect blend, but I do want to stave off the filoform as long as I can, before I break down and policy her.