Clearcoat Shop

[Cauuck]

Originally Posted by redstart

I have a dumb question - what is the purpose of clear coat? Is it to keep the aluminum from oxidizing?

Thanks

Definitely, Once the clear started to peel on mine the aluninum started oxidising.
You can strip off the old clearcoat and have bare aluninum but you will spend the rest of your life polishing.

Paul

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by redstart

I have a dumb question - what is the purpose of clear coat? Is it to keep the aluminum from oxidizing?

Thanks

The clear coat or plasticoat as it's sometimes called, protects the aluminum, from the air we humans breathe.

It lasts 5 to 6 years, and then must be stripped and recoated.

If you strip the clear coat, and polish the metal, you must wash and wax it, every 30 days. If not, it will slowly start oxidizing.

If the trailer is within 50 miles of salt water, then washing and waxing every week becomes necessary.

Or, you can strip the trailer, and go through the process of painting it metallic silver. When done properly, a once a year wax job will keep that paint job good for at least 20 years.

The least cost per lifetime year, is actually the metallic silver. The polish jobs are expensive to have done, and expensive to maintain.

Automotive clear, by the way, cannot be used on an Airstream, as it will peel off like a plastic sheet. Automotive clear is designed to adhere to paint, not bare sheetmetal.

Andy

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Cauuck

On my way ome I had several comments on how good the trailer looked.

Paul, any chance you will post some photos?

[connorsa]

I would like to ask too about using a body shop to strip and re-clear coat. I'm a full timer while at school in Northern Calif. When I graduate in May I wanted to sell my Airstream and head home. She's 10 years old and the clear coat on the front and rear top is bubbling up and flaking off fast. I do not have a tow vehicle. So a local shop in my small town will have to work. I will save and print Andy's instructions above. Any other words of wisdom?

Thanks, Anne

[bwaysteve]

Andy,
What needs to be done on a polished trailer to seal the seams.Is this necessary?

[silverleeper]

Take a look here. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...more-7626.html. Personaly I use vulkem(tempro). I have found it locally at Home | Fastenal

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bwaysteve

Andy,
What needs to be done on a polished trailer to seal the seams.Is this necessary?

For small seams use Parbond.

For large seams use Vulkem.

Sealing the seams is a preventive measure against water leaks.

You will be protecting your investment.

A good idea, NO.

A fantastic idea, Yes.

There are many kinds of sealers, but we prefer to recommend those that have been used for many years, with outstanding results.

Andy

[jimthesailor]

what clears do you recommend? cost per gal? coverage for 24'?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jimthesailor

what clears do you recommend? cost per gal? coverage for 24'?

The only clear we use, or recommend, is the clearcoat that is available from Airstream.

It's a 2 part mixture.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by jimthesailor

what clears do you recommend? cost per gal? coverage for 24'?

The clearcoat is available from dealers.

You will need about 4 gallons for a 24 foot Airstream.

As a vendor, we can only quotes prices on things that we have nothing to do with.

Andy

[GREENovaters]

So, if one has a 34' just what kind of price are we talking?

[wmarsha]

3400 hundred bucks. or thereabouts.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wmarsha

3400 hundred bucks. or thereabouts.

That price was good about 15 years ago.

Today, the cost is more like $200.00 per foot, for a top job.

The cost of just the materials, has far more than doubled.

The next problem is finding someone that will do it.

Dick Macintire and P & S are the best. One is in Ohio and the other is in Oregon.

Andy

[Aage]

Is it a spray-on coating? If not, just how is it applied, please?

[LLB21]

Originally Posted by HankO

How does one get in touch with Dick Mcintire, any phone numbers?

Last number I had for Dick McIntyre is 805 264-0972. I heard he does good work.

He was too far for me to travel. I had my trailer done at C&G Trailer Service, www.CGTrailer.com. They are a factory service center. Rod did a great job and the price was reasonable.

[ams]

Is there anyone in San Antonio or Corpus Christi Texas area that does the clear coat. I have found several sources that will remove and polish, but none that will re apply the clear coat. Is the clear coat considered paint? New owner of 1993 Excella, 34foot that need the exterior face lift. Alice

[zumatommy@ve]

I have a 2005 Safari with quite a bit of filiform corrosion (I live 1/2 block from the Ocean). In everything I've read here, I didn't think there was anything I could do to get rid of those nasty little white 'worms'. Is this the answer I've been looking for? Strip and reseal?

Does anyone know if there is a way to treat the aluminum so the corrosion dosn't come back?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by zumatommy@ve

I have a 2005 Safari with quite a bit of filiform corrosion (I live 1/2 block from the Ocean). In everything I've read here, I didn't think there was anything I could do to get rid of those nasty little white 'worms'. Is this the answer I've been looking for? Strip and reseal?

Does anyone know if there is a way to treat the aluminum so the corrosion dosn't come back?

The nasty "worms" are there for good.

You can recoat the trailer, as the clear coat lasts about 5 years, or you can keep the trailer waxed, very very often, since you live near the coast (salt water).

Andy