Do you know what you're doing?

[Melody Ranch]

Just curious.....I keep seeing photos here, and actual incidents, where folks are using the sides and tops of the Airstream as supports for bikes, ladders, misc. wood boards and panels, car parts, old tires, boats (various types) etc., etc. You get the picture. Even in crowded camp sites all the paraphernalia for the vacation is stacked against the side wall somewhere.
A big offender here is the restoration project where the interiors are stacked up against the sides during the clean out process. I guess it is something I would not do......wondering if you do...and know what you could be doing to the skins and clear coats.

[ROBERT CROSS]

NOPE

I don't even wash it up & down....back & forth, with the "grain".

[HiHoAgRV]

I don't lean anything against the skin. I learned that lesson years ago with a lawn chair propped up on an old RV. After a full day of walking inside the Camper...the chair left a big mark on the side...

[Gringo]

Thanks for that tip. I hadn't considered the chaffing aspect of leaning things against soft metal. We boat. Know a lot about chaffing. It eats ropes, and would take off a mirror finish pretty quickly and wear holes not long after. We have so much to learn!!

[Lumatic]

My Tradewind was found sitting in a field for years with small trees that grew up around the trailer forming huge black arcs of oxidation on the sides of the trailer when blown by the wind. I think more time was spent on getting these polished out than anything else I have done on the stream. The moral of the story is watch where you park it. I also found out the hard way that towing your stream through brushy areas will leave long scratches the length of your trailer.

[FreshAir]

I unfortunately over buffed trying to get the ultimate shine. It's still shiny but 'splotchy' in places.
Neil

[FreshAir]

On a postive, 'know what I'm doing' note, I discovered that washing the trailer with a 'wax and soap' car wash, like Turtle Wax Zip Wash, gives a little more shine plus a more lasting shine.
Neil

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

I unfortunately over buffed trying to get the ultimate shine. It's still shiny but 'splotchy' in places.
Neil

Did you Cyclo for the last step?

[newroswell]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I also found out the hard way that towing your stream through brushy areas will leave long scratches the length of your trailer.

Those are called boondocking pinstripes.

[Stefrobrts]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

On a postive, 'know what I'm doing' note, I discovered that washing the trailer with a 'wax and soap' car wash, like Turtle Wax Zip Wash, gives a little more shine plus a more lasting shine.
Neil

Hmm, I like the sound of that!

[barts]

We like using our '71 Airstream - and accept the fact that it will accumulate additional "badges" over time despite whatever care we take. The trick is being careful to avoid damage, while at the same time not stressing out too much about things that simply cannot be helped.

Our trailer has not been polished, and has the "clearcoat mange" one might expect after spending 40 years out in the sun; we've decided NOT to polish the Tin Pickle, although we may well end up stripping the remaining clearcoat for a more even weathered look.

I guess this is easier since we didn't put the existing dents, scratches and marks on the trailer . Boondocking pinstripes, indeed.

- Bart

[DougZ]

My dad always said that there was nothing made that couldn't be repaired. I wish I wasn't such a worry wart. I always go the extra mile to try to prevent any damage. I think my dad had a lot more fun than me.

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Did you Cyclo for the last step?

YES.
Neil