Master Paint Protection - My Experience

[Mark of SJC]

I’m starting this thread to “pay it forward” as I couldn’t find ALL the information I was looking for in any one spot on this forum. Hopefully this will serve as a help to others who are trying to figure out their own solutions.

The first part will cover my motivation on why we did it and what condition our coach was in. The second part will cover our experience in getting it “done”. The third (and perhaps most important) will be an on-going update of our experience with the coating over time….I’ll be updating regularly.

Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged! (So such thing as a dumb question in my book…we’ve all been there at one time or another!!!)

So with that….let me begin.

[ROBERT CROSS]

What 'paint' are we trying to protect?
The clearcoat on AS panels is done by Alcoa during production. If maintained properly it does a pretty darn good job.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mark of SJC]

I’ll be blunt…I’m VERY picky about my vehicles. I detailed my way through HS and college. I almost didn’t marry my wife because she and her family had four (4) black vehicles…and they worked in construction. (Just kidding…)

I know how to take care of exterior finishes. I have a supply cabinet full of automotive care products, orbital buffers, professional buffers, yeah….it’s my “happy place.” So when we purchased the AS I figured “no big deal, I’ve got this.” Now, to be clear, none of my vehicles are “garage queens” - they get driven (my wife would say hard at times), they get dirty and rained on and see every climate we get in sunny, mountainous Southern CA. But they are also the ones always parked carefully in end spots, at the edges of parking lots to avoid dings and wayward shopping carts.

The Purchase - This was a 100% surprise purchase. For decades I’d wanted a 45’ Newell (used) for the giant windows and amazing engineering. But my wife had always crossed her arms and given me “the eye” about “not wanting to be married to someone who robbed multiple banks - and it would take a dozen to pay for one of those).

Short(er) story: Neighbor buys 25’ and we do the “since it’s sitting on your driveway, let’s take a look. Like all the big windows, attention to detail and construction. Could not fit in the bed. Wife makes mistake of having a “girls weekend” I wonder over to AS of OC and like Goldilocks they only had 3 coaches - another 25’ (already ruled out) and older 33’ signature (layout made no sense to me) and a used ‘17 27’ Tommy Bahama (Cue Siren Song). Wife comes home Sun morn, I “oh so causally mention” how wonderful this coach was…showed her a YouTube video tour of it and she says “Why not? Lets go see”. (Gotta be false hope! Only ONCE has she agreed to see a coach I liked…and that was a decade ago. She still kids me about my “flight of insanity”). We see it. She asks lots of questions. We go through the coach top to bottom. Then, after three decades of marriage she totally shocks me. She says “OK - let’s get it”. ([I]My jaw hits the floor and I have an out-of-body experience. I make her repeat her statement at least 3 times. I asked here exactly how much she had to drink over the girls weekend and if she’s under the influence. She gives me the eye and I get smart and shut up[/I]) We sign contract. We put 30% down. Dealer can’t get NADA appraisal. Dealer screws up deal demanding 50% down. 90 minutes on RVTrader later I find a 2019, still under warranty, in much better condition less than an hour away…pictures haven’t even uploaded and we make a commitment to buy it tomorrow upon seeing it. Color me nuts - we don’t own a truck! We end up buying trailer AND truck, and literally taking their place in the local AS group (a bonus that continues to pay huge dividends!)

Next up - the “original condition” of the coach….

[Mark of SJC]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

What 'paint' are we trying to protect?
The clearcoat on AS panels is done by Alcoa during production. If maintained properly it does a pretty darn good job.

Bob
🇺🇸

Bob,
It’s an excellent question - one that I had myself. As you’ll see in my next post I was SURE that I, someone who hand-washed and waxed ALL my vehicles could keep this AS in excellent shape - just like the multiple vehicles I owned - all of them looked “showroom new” despite most of them being 5 ~ 10 years old. Why spend thousands (multiple) of dollars when I had a supply closet of top end automotive protection products and the skills to use them? (That dream lasted about a year-and-a-half)

You are correct. There IS a coating ON TOP OF the aluminum. But pull out a lawn chair and look at your coach. All those dimples from the rivets = coating punctured. Where the round corners meet the flat sides = edges unprotected. All those marker lights - dissimilar metals (may be isolated with a rubber gasket…that wears). That chair rail strip that runs around the center of your coach - the worst of all worlds. That’s where they overlap the two sheets of aluminum (now TWO naked edges), then rivet it (!), then overlay it with a “chrome” rub strip…the perfect catch basin for moisture to lead to corrosion. That’s the second place I noticed corrosion starting. The first place was at the rear cap at the antenna mast location.

[Mark of SJC]

As mentioned, we purchased this coach used, but still under warranty. It was clearly loved, maintained and even upgraded in many ways. Most importantly - it was USED. They camped in it. Took it places. Saw the seasons. They actually lived in it - “full time” for almost a year. In the end, it just wasn’t big enough for them…and for that, my wife and I will ALWAYS be grateful!!! Don and Mary are still friends and they not only sold us their dream, but opened our world to the invaluable AS community we didn’t even know of!

So a HUGE thanks goes out to both of them!

They followed the owners manual, they did services, they had the patience to go through warranty claims and repairs. They were through. But the coach had seen miles and the resulting evidence. Again, I want to make clear - we didn’t want to buy nor own a “garage queen” that didn’t have a single mark on it. This coach was to be used, enjoyed, a generator of memories both wonderful and challenging.

So…. There were some minor scrapes (yes, they really did buff out with an orbital buffer). There were some pits on the rock guards - that’s what they’re there for! (No Rock Tamers for us…unless we go to Alaska?). There were a couple of minor dents - one one in the cap I think was from a large pine cone proving gravity does work - even high up in the mountains!. But the “chrome” tail light bezels looked 1,000 years old! The “chrome strips” where starting to peal in a couple of places. The rear view camera’s black coating looked like it’s had been left at the beach for a year.

I waxed. I buffed. I polished. I explored paintless dent removal…but never moved forward on removing a few “beauty marks”. But then, a year ago, I was don’t my quarterly wax when I got to the rear cap. Clearly spreading out from the rear antenna housing was….something white….like tiny worms…that I couldn’t get off. Yup, that was filiform corrosion saying “Hi!” Crap! But hey, only passing 18 wheelers could ever see it, right? And if I take extra care (on top of it being under a giant shade sail that completely keeps that out of sun when parked) it should be fine…right?

And besides, while at an AS rally a neighbor pointed out we had the beginnings of front end separation (a deep dimple on the corner of of the lower right hand front locker, and an actual tear/deep dimple on the left hand lower side). It took the better part of 8 months to get AS of OC to get us in to make that repair, which involved replacing the front panel and beefing up the frame-to-coach connection…under warranty, thank goodness!

The next waxing….the spot had grown. Bummer! And now I noticed a small spot on the curb side rub strip. Double Damn!!!

Coming up next - The Preparation

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mark of SJC

Bob,
It’s an excellent question - one that I had myself. As you’ll see in my next post I was SURE that I, someone who hand-washed and waxed ALL my vehicles could keep this AS in excellent shape - just like the multiple vehicles I owned - all of them looked “showroom new” despite most of them being 5 ~ 10 years old. Why spend thousands (multiple) of dollars when I had a supply closet of top end automotive protection products and the skills to use them? (That dream lasted about a year-and-a-half)

You are correct. There IS a coating ON TOP OF the aluminum. But pull out a lawn chair and look at your coach. All those dimples from the rivets = coating punctured. Where the round corners meet the flat sides = edges unprotected. All those marker lights - dissimilar metals (may be isolated with a rubber gasket…that wears). That chair rail strip that runs around the center of your coach - the worst of all worlds. That’s where they overlap the two sheets of aluminum (now TWO naked edges), then rivet it (!), then overlay it with a “chrome” rub strip…the perfect catch basin for moisture to lead to corrosion. That’s the second place I noticed corrosion starting. The first place was at the rear cap at the antenna mast location.

Check out some of the filiform threads sounds like that's what you are concerned with.

Filiform...


Bob
🇺🇸

[Mark of SJC]

Here’s the part that can mess you up!. (Woulda/coulda/shoulda moment(s) avoided!)

IF you elect to go with Master Paint, they will coat and protect ALL exterior surfaces EXCEPT:

• The white painted roof
• Solar Panels
• Yes - That’s IT!

What does that REALLY mean to you?

• If you are thinking about upgrading your gray/plastic exterior kitchen exhaust vent to a stainless steel one - do it before! https://airstreamsupplycompany.com/p...range-exhaust/
• Same story with your water heater vent cover…or exterior shower cover with a stainless steel one - do it before so it, too will be fully protected! https://airstreamsupplycompany.com/p...-water-heater/
  **So the obvious question - aren’t you guilding the lily here? Yes…and no. . Yes - On the curb side, I’ve replaced all the grey plastic with stainless steel. But I didn’t do the exterior shower because A) it was pretty expensive, B) it was on the other side of the coach I don’t see, C) I could easily replace it down the line and D) it was a complicated install. And NO - The CA sun destroys plastic - especially when surrounding by reflective metal…on a hot surface….baking in the sun. They get brittle, turn colors, and break! So if you’re looking at this long-term, it’s an investment…at least for me! The upgrades where all SUPER easy DYI and I like the resulting look, so call it “pride of ownership” but it’s a call only YOU can make!
• Locker hatches - Yeah, now is the time to replace those standard black ones whose locks are common with every single RV locker ever made, to a custom - keyed one (which is chrome - a look I don’t prefer, so even better it’s coated!) https://airgear.store/products/airst...ck-upgrade-kit
• Those scary-thin skylights that both leak and offer NO thermal protection? Maxium skylights were the best DYI investment ever! And coated they’ll shed water and dirt like crazy. https://youtu.be/Gt_83zqfPrE
• And if you were thinking about upgrading from a 15” wheel to a 16” one (we gained almost an inch of badly needed clearance! And went from a good Goodyear Endurance tire to an excellent Michelin tire - they coat the aluminum wheels too! This is important as our TPS system has a steel valve stem and the wheels are aluminum. Do a search on this combo and you’ll see corrosion due to dissimilar metals is a major issue! Excellent reason to coat! https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/...e-tpms-killer/
• Considering solar? Do it BEFORE. While they don’t coat the panels, you don’t want them rubbing/scratching your entire exterior shell during install - and they do an AMAZING job of removing what’s already there!
• Panel damage? Get it done before, so it too is protected!

Others things to consider
Big Red Numbers - They can coat them on your coach (sort of making them permanent). Or you can have them removed and re-applied (uncoated)
MOST IMPORTANT - Is this your “forever” coach? We’ve had this coach for three years and have confirmed “It’s The ONE” ~ don’t want larger or smaller one. Now, if you won the lottery or own a bank, spend the big bucks and coat it! Otherwise, will you get those (Big) dollars back in resale? Maybe. It will certainly LOOK far better than newer, un-coated coaches (to be documented in future posts!). But is it really an investment…or an expenditure? That’s a personal call, but for me I expect this coating to allow this coach to be a generational gift of amazing memories…certainly out-living our use of it. (And we have BIG future plans for it!)

Up next - The Process / What to expect.

[Mark of SJC]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Check out some of the filiform threads sounds like that's what you are concerned with.

Filiform...


Bob
🇺🇸

Bob,


That’s exactly what I’m talking about. The best analogy is back when cars got rust back east during winter snow exposure on salt-coated roads. It’s literally a cancer and while it’s not as devastating on the aluminum front as it is (was?) on steel, it denigrates the structure.

Thanks for sharing the great pictures!

[mpbiagi]

Mark, thank you for all of this great information. Marla and I hope to see you at a future rally soon!


Mike

[subfan1]

Hi everyone. I’m very meticulous about our vehicles like many of you here. We had our Sierra Denali and our Cadillac ceramic coated and it would do it again. Both vehicles look great and are easier to dry after their wash. We had our 2019 23CB Master coated in June of 2022. The Airstream stays outside, So Cal, so I wanted it protected and overall it looks great but as others here have said, time will tell. I agree, change things out that you want coated before the process is performed. My one gripe about the process is in the prep work and that is of most importance. They didn’t really do a thorough job. During the polish phase. They polished the side panels but didn’t polish the trim. For example the aluminum wheel well was not polished uniformly. There are light and dark spots on the trim. Also the polish they use also is used on the side marker lights and they didn’t brush off the excess that always gets stuck on the letters on these lights. As a result of this lack of detail, they just spray all over these areas and you’ll never be able to remove or polish trim pieces properly. Also carefully check every part of your Airstream. Be thorough with your roof panels. Mine had smudges on several panels. I had to completely polish the entire trailer after we got home a month later to remove them. One of my solar guards was scratched lower part. Didn’t notice it until 2 hours later at our campsite. Called them and said it wasn’t done there. They offered to look at it but had to bring it back. I polished the scratches but deep ones are still there. They did tell us that they sprayed the solar panels so wanted to clarify that. Bottom line, take your time and go over your trailer with a fine tooth comb before you leave their place. Glad I had it done but prep work was very much lacking.

[Mark of SJC]

Originally Posted by subfan1

My one gripe about the process is in the prep work and that is of most importance. They didn’t really do a thorough job. During the polish phase. They polished the side panels but didn’t polish the trim. For example the aluminum wheel well was not polished uniformly. There are light and dark spots on the trim. Also the polish they use also is used on the side marker lights and they didn’t brush off the excess that always gets stuck on the letters on these lights. As a result of this lack of detail, they just spray all over these areas and you’ll never be able to remove or polish trim pieces properly. Also carefully check every part of your Airstream. Be thorough with your roof panels. Mine had smudges on several panels. I had to completely polish the entire trailer after we got home a month later to remove them. One of my solar guards was scratched lower part. Didn’t notice it until 2 hours later at our campsite. Called them and said it wasn’t done there. They offered to look at it but had to bring it back. I polished the scratches but deep ones are still there. They did tell us that they sprayed the solar panels so wanted to clarify that. Bottom line, take your time and go over your trailer with a fine tooth comb before you leave their place. Glad I had it done but prep work was very much lacking.

Thanks VERY much for your comments!

The reason you haven’t seen my next installment….is because we have yet to pick up the coach! We are scheduled to pick it up 12/26 after a number of upgrades from both Vinnies (fridge upgrade, LP quick connect upgrade, chrome strip replacement, electric jack upgrade, dent removal and more) and Doug Ide of Ide Innovations (600w of solar, 840AH of batteries custom installed, upgraded TV w/ sound bar, lighting in pantry and wardrobe, upgrade bar cabinets, DC to DC charging upgraded MicroAirs for both AC, and a lot more) and of coarse Master Paint for AS and truck.

It will probably take a full day to go through everything, get my phone synced with all the new systems and of coarse inspect the exterior coating. We’re learning that we’ll be right in the middle of an epic weather front - both on pick up and the drive home. (Guess we’ll get to see first hand the coating’s sheeting action!). I’ll certainly add the issues you found to my inspection list!

On the solar panels, I had wanted them coated as well but they specifically excluded them - concerned it would interfere with their function was the reason I got back (bummer, because clean panels are key to high energy production)

I’ll keep you all updated!

[2012FB]

Congratulations Mark! You won't be disappointed. Doug did extensive upgrades on our new 2022 FC 25' RBT. Vinnies did the Ceramic coat. We could not be happier with the results. Enjoy!

[SilverWind]

Originally Posted by Mark of SJC

Thanks VERY much for your comments!

The reason you haven’t seen my next installment….is because we have yet to pick up the coach! We are scheduled to pick it up 12/26 after a number of upgrades from both Vinnies (fridge upgrade, LP quick connect upgrade, chrome strip replacement, electric jack upgrade, dent removal and more) and Doug Ide of Ide Innovations (600w of solar, 840AH of batteries custom installed, upgraded TV w/ sound bar, lighting in pantry and wardrobe, upgrade bar cabinets, DC to DC charging upgraded MicroAirs for both AC, and a lot more) and of coarse Master Paint for AS and truck.

It will probably take a full day to go through everything, get my phone synced with all the new systems and of coarse inspect the exterior coating. We’re learning that we’ll be right in the middle of an epic weather front - both on pick up and the drive home. (Guess we’ll get to see first hand the coating’s sheeting action!). I’ll certainly add the issues you found to my inspection list!

On the solar panels, I had wanted them coated as well but they specifically excluded them - concerned it would interfere with their function was the reason I got back (bummer, because clean panels are key to high energy production)

I’ll keep you all updated!

Excellent Mark. We just returned from Vinnie's after several upgrades on our 2020 Base Camp 20X. We intend to return for Master Paint.

[ROBERT CROSS]

We had Titan Motor works do both the DW's DD & the Burb, 3 yrs SFSG.
I saw no benefit doing 'Cloudsplitter', she's been well taken care of and at her age I couldn't rationalize the $$$.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mark of SJC]

Greetings, all!

I wanted to provide a quick update, now that we've had the coach back for over a month.

Backstory - I flew out on on 12/26 on Southwest (yes, it must have been the only flight they didn't cancel), to arrive in Sacramento to pick up the freshly coated truck & trailer (now fully cured). I drove out of the Sacramento/Wilton area around noon, down I-99 to I-5 home. Only several days later did I realize I missed all that flooding from the levee breaks by a matter of hours! Vinnies yard was flooded (his house and shop are are high ground, as were the coaches he was repairing), and he lost power and was marooned for some time - but everyone was safe, thank goodness!

Well, the coating got a major work out! That "atmospheric river of rain" hit us big time! We camped in a parking lot for 4 days for the Rose Parade while driving all over LA touring. Both the truck and the coach beaded water like a duck. Let's be honest, LA can be a pretty grimy place and rain just kicks it up all over the place. But after getting back home there was very little dirt or grime on either! Like I couldn't justify washing them. Even better, in the few days they both sat in the pour rain, they actually seemed to "rinse off" to some degree.

We then moved the coach to a temporary storage lot we're using for a few months. Unpaved. Dirt/gravel aisles. Fairly consistent traffic kicking up dust clouds. The trailer sat there for a solid month. Yes, it was dust coated when I picked it up last week, but in the 15 minute freeway drive home, I was quite amazed at how much of it blew off. I meant to take a few pictures of what it looked like, but we were rushing to pack it up and get off to a rally.

I did wash it, though, hitting it with my electric pressure washer and then using this awesome $10 telescoping microfiber mop https://www.walmart.com/ip/Platinum-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds I followed the washing instructions, and the time it took to wash the coach was less than half of what it normally took!

Issues - Anyone who has ever waxed a car knows the biggest challenge is getting all the wax off. There's always someplace you've missed! In the process of washing the coach while the sun was setting, I did notice a number of "stuff left behind" areas - all along underneath the street-side awning. Also on the bottom of both sides of the rear corners above the bottom rub strip. They are very subtle...like I didn't notice them until washing it...and the light had to be right on that part to see it. The challenge is - how to resolve it? It's not like automotive wax that I can just wipe off. I'm waiting for official word on how to resolve this.

I'll keep you informed!

[Tyler2you]

If it's anything like automotive ceramic coatings, it will have to be buffed off with polishing compound. Sometimes with automotive coatings if you catch it early, you can just apply more of the coating on top of the problem area and the carrier solvents will dissolve the overage.

[subfan1]

Hi I also had several areas on our Airstream with those smudges. I used Walbernize with my orbital polisher to remove them. Some areas were worse than others so a bit of elbow grease worked well. The cast aluminum taillights were not properly polished before they applied the coating so I’m screwed there. Hopefully they removed excess polishing compound on the side marker lights before they coated it. They did a poor job on mine and because they sprayed all over it, that stuff will not come off.