Interior Door Coated with Red Something

[Prairiestem]

I own a 1983 31 foot and a 1992 34 Foot. Both trailers have a coating of red "something" on the interior door. I have tried soap, Goof Off, and mild bleach and water but it will not come off.

This discoloration is puzzling. Does anyone have experience with this?

Please help!

Mary Ellen Evans
WBCCI #220

[Wabbiteer]

a picture is worth dozens of posts...

[Prairiestem]

http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...atid=newimages

Please look under the photo tab for my door.

I did read somewhere you can paint the door with auto vinyl spray paint.

[Prairiestem]

just posted a picture on the Picture tab.

[Wabbiteer]

That door sure looks like it got a coat of Rustoleum self-etching primer paint to me, a 'stinky' paint used on bare iron as the base coat... Why do I say that? I nabbed a gallon on a going out of business sale and used it generously on my original floor trying to seal in some nasty aroma and did get a little on the walls down near the baseboards.

Note where the solvents Joe Somewhen used to lubricate the latch assembly dripped down the vinyl and modified the surface chemistry to later allow the paint to infuse into the plastic itself... The other darker stains.. perhaps insecticide or mosquito repellent did the same thing?

I* don't believe you can get to unstained vinyl without having the linings fabric erupt - a good shellac based 'kilz' stain blocker for two coats and then decorate as you wish?

[Wabbiteer]

Gee.

I failed to say I've been wrong before on which paint to use, hope someone in the know confirms or denies the Kilz primer.

Can I ask how both red door trailers came to be yours, hopefully they were owned by the same folks at the same time way back some when.

[J. Morgan]

Kinda makes me want to say "scene of the crime"....

#JustSayin....



That is going to need paint in my opinion. I would go with an automotive primer followed with a good enamel or urethane paint.

Superat stultitia.

[overlander63]

I've seen that on several trailers over the years, so it's not just from one owner doing something to the doors.
After using some pretty serious chemicals trying to clean the stains off, it seems to be something now contained within the finish itself. If you feel adventurous, you can try stripping and painting. I would not try to paint over it, the stain may well bleed through, even with a sealer coat.

[woodfox45]

My 85 did the same thing It would go away some if left in the sun all day in the open position . Some people painted them to get rid of it buy I never did

[Papa smurf]

It looks like rouging, a form of corrosion found on stainless steel.

[Prairiestem]

I have a 1983 31 foot with the same problem. It was not red when I purchased it nor was the door to the 1992 red when I purchased it. I live in Texas and would leave the doors open. At one time, someone mentioned it was the sun that reacted with the vinyl. Over the space of a few years, it got worse and worse.

It looks awful but the door is perfectly functional. I'll continue to read posts to this thread before I do anything. I do think it is the use of certain rust inhibiting paint that is bleeding through.

That is not the worst of my worries. It was in the hail storm of April 11 this year. Hail the size of grapefruits. The rear right three panels are dimpled. Not sure where to take it get fixed but Jackson Center is most likely the best place.

Thanks to everyone posting.!

[mb-austin]

I acquired an 88 Excella 29 in January. I have the same red discoloration.

I have unsuccessfully tried tiny sample areas with Goo Gone, Citristrip, lacquer thinner, acetone, naval jelly, muratic acid, polishing compound, MEK stripper, oven cleaner and a couple of other things I am now forgetting. (Not at the same time or same spot, otherwise I might be missing some eyebrows)

I got a closer look with a jeweler's loupe and looks like discoloration in the plastic itself.

I am thinking my only options are to either paint, or replace the panels. I am leaning toward latter, just need to locate some salvaged interior skin and cut to match.