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Old 09-07-2017, 12:33 PM   #1
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Getting a Painted Vintage Airstream Back to Aluminum Silver

Hello,

Just wondering how difficult it is to take a vintage airstream that's been painted a solid colour (e.g. red) and turn it back to the original polished aluminum?

Feels like a monumental undertaking but maybe I'm wrong?
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Old 09-07-2017, 12:37 PM   #2
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You aren't wrong
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:04 PM   #3
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There are lots of variables here. How big is the trailer? How thick is the paint? What type of paint, etc...?

There are plenty of people who start out with a trailer that has clear coat on it, remove the clear coat, and then start polishing it. This doesn't seem all that different.


But...It is still a big chore, and the bad news is that there is probably a reason why it was painted in the first place. It could be that there is a bunch of bodywork that is hidden under the paint, could be the surface of the sheet metal has been wrecked, ie., someone sanded off all the Alclad, etc.. It might be that you have an Argosy, and only think that its a painted Airstream....

good luck!
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:44 PM   #4
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A quick and dirty verification of Argosy/Airstream status would be to see if a magnet sticks to the smoothly-curved end caps.

If it does, it's made of galvanized steel, and is for sure an Argosy...
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:02 PM   #5
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As Belegedhel said, too many variables and unknowns. But, if it is a vintage Airstream and not an Argosy, there may be hope. We're working on a 55 FC that the original owner had painted the top white with the hope of keeping the inside cooler. We stripped the top which was a lot of work. The paint actually came down the sides about a foot. I used Aircraft Stripper which is nasty stuff. Whoever painted it had used, what appeared to be a Zolatone primer. So we had to get aggressive with the Stripper. I had read before that vintage Airstreams that the owner opted to have the tops painted actually did the aluminum a favor by protecting it. Once we stripped the paint, we polished with Nuvite and it shined up like new. I think I would sure get a bunch of questions answered before taking the leap. Good luck.
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:26 PM   #6
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Or when the paint is removed you find Bondo
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Old 09-07-2017, 05:59 PM   #7
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Might be cheaper paint the whole thing silver.
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Old 09-07-2017, 07:22 PM   #8
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Getting a Painted Vintage Airstream Back to Aluminum Silver

Not all argosy had steel endcaps mine are fiberglass. They experimented with the 70 argosy
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Old 09-07-2017, 07:37 PM   #9
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Also depends on the surface prep done before painting. PO sanded the front lower section where rock guards would be and put on ugly bed liner type material. I was able to strip easily but due to the sanding the only viable option was to repaint.
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Old 09-07-2017, 08:56 PM   #10
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I am not aware that Airsteams had a 1 piece end cap. This should give you a clue as to what you have.
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Old 09-07-2017, 09:10 PM   #11
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We stripped the 55 wally byam cruiser this summer. I figure I have over 200 hours of paint stripping, 6 gallons of aircraft stripper, 3-4 dozen plastic razor blades, 4 orders of stainless steel wool off amazon, lots of gloves etc. Painstaking work, but on the other hand I wouldn't really consider painting over old paint anyway. Best to get down to a clean slate, polish, or repaint.
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Old 09-08-2017, 09:22 AM   #12
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I agree, besides that, you will discover the reason why it was painted in the first place..
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Old 09-08-2017, 09:26 AM   #13
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I haven't done it myself but I'm thinking if it were me I would start with a small area that is not a prominent spot on the trailer and see what works and how much effort it takes. Expect to find areas that the paint was used to cover something up - like bondo - and just deal with it. If it is too much work for your purposes then you can decide the best solution at that time. I'm thinking it would be a lot of work and more than I would want to DIY myself. But - the good news is the underlying aluminum should shine up nicely once the paint is gone ...
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Old 09-08-2017, 12:40 PM   #14
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Thanks for the help everyone!
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Old 09-08-2017, 04:58 PM   #15
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Get a magnet and make sure the upper domes are not steel. It could be an Argosy. It it will take a ton of aircraft stripper and you don't know what the surface looks like. You might strip a small area to make sure it is not pitted or scratched badly.

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Old 09-08-2017, 05:36 PM   #16
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Stripping Paint

I've used Citristrip on paint on my Airstream. Now, the STUBBORN roofing paint that someone chose to apply to roof, I bought Aircraft Stripper on Amazon, since big box stores don't always stock it.

Will say this, if you choose Aircraft Stripper, long sleeves, long pants and gloves are a must. As well, a respirator from Paint Store will help with the TOXIC fumes.

Good Luck, Derek
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