How do you polish the aluminum bumper

[ElliotA]

My 2006 Safari's bumper is blotchy and I would like to polish it up and clear coat it.

What is the best way to do this procedure?

[starcraft]

It would be summer project, use paint remover on clear coat. Then just polish it up or re clear coat. Obviously prep on this area is big concern after polishing. I would use mineral spirts,brake cleaner and like before clearing. I am sure there is clear coat already on there my rag with polish stayed pink no black so it's cleared.

[casa3805]

I get confused on here sometimes between polishing and waxing. We have an older trailer (84). And the back bumper and storage area was in pretty sad shape with layers of peeling paint. This link will show you what I did. Citristrip for paint removal, mineral spirits to clean up residue, clean and paint up the inside and then finally just a coat of wax on the outside. Have not made the leap to polishing just yet...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f477...nup-85474.html

Hope it helps!

[starcraft]

Rule to live by is use least aggressive polish that you need. Compound should be outlawed that only worked on old lead paints. Wax on other hand only protects the top layer like sacraficial (yes I can not spell today lol) clear coat. I believe newer Airstreams have aluminum bumpers with clear coat over area. My 04 has few areas that do not look new and one spot with sticker residue. I may unbolt it and strip clear off then polish it up and install.

[Road Geezer]

I've been wanting to buff up both the rear bumper and tail light fixtures on our 2011 FC. Based on what I've read above, I think I'll use a paint remover to clean off the existing clear coat, then polish the aluminum using some 3000 or 6000 grit sanding pads I use for furniture finishing. Maguires or rotten stone might do the trick for a final mirror finish ...

My question: what do you use for the final clear coat, and do you need to prep the surface in any way before applying?

Thanks for the help,

Paul

[starcraft]

Seems little new to be messing with it

[phughes]

We have a 2011 FC with bumper and around tail lights clear coat has discolored. What did you end up doing to clean yours? Paint remover doesn't seem to work.

Don & Patti

[ALANSD]

you tried citri-strip?

[BAB]

FYI, I found at Alumapalooza that a number of us with new trailers (less than 2 years old) have pretty nasty looking bumpers. It appears as if whatever they used for clear coat simply did not hold up...at least for the 2012 model year. Maybe the '13's look better, but mine is dull and oxidized. (My trailer is under shelter when it is not on the road, and it has spent very little time close to salt water.)

[Cdusm]

I just traded my class A motorhome for an Airstream. The bumper has been discolored, not sure why. I have attached photos. Anyone experience this? Have any suggestions?

[Pick]

I used "Southern Shine" on mine. But I don't know if it's still available.

[Cdusm]

Tank you, sir. I will try to find it.

[Landrum]

My 2011 23FB has the exact same problem. I think one of my first posts on the forums may have been trying to determine what was happening and how to fix the problem. On our AS it is the bumper, the taillight housings, the door hinges, and the grab bar mounted next to the main door. I never did find a definite answer although I did try several suggestions none of which worked. It looks like these posts have zero'd in on the issue......

[ALANSD]

silver paint might be helpful, polishing will not last long

[0557]

After I stripped mine, I used a product called

Glyptone, formerly "heavy metal polish"

Used medium abrasive green and sealed with blue. I touch up once annually.