Zolatone walls

[Rob]

I worked hard to clean the interior walls of my 1972 Land Yacht. They look pretty good but I would really like to freshen them up with Zolatone.
I discovered the stuff is really expensive. Is there a primer I could use istead of Zolatone brand, or better yet could I get away with not using primer at all?
I plan on spraying the whole interior with it, front cap walls and rear plastic bathroom cap. Any insight or warnings?

[Rog0525]

Have you seen Inland Andy's thread about using Future floor wax on vinyl or zolotone? It really brightens the interior and makes cleaning much easier.

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ture+floor+wax[/URL]

[InsideOut]

I'm not sure which year Airstream switched over from Zolotone to vinyl clad interior walls, but doesn't a '72 have vinyl? Did you strip the vinyl off or are you planning on using Zolotone over the vinyl? I would think it would make a big difference in what primer you would use...

Regardless, I would stick with the Zolotone manufacturers recommendation for primer. It would be a waste to spend the extra money on the Zolotone now, only to have the primer fail in a couple years and have to re-do it all, don't you think?

Shari

[Rob]

Yes the walls are Vinyl clad. I cleaned them up but they still look dingy. I think you are right about spending a little more now on the correct primer.
I was planning on painting the Zolatone over the vinyl.
I haven't considered stripping the vinyl off. . Is it difficult to do?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[InsideOut]

Our trailer is a '64 & we have the original Zolotone so I don't know how difficult it would be to strip the vinyl. Obviously, it's going to be a lot more effort to strip the vinyl than not.

My main comment regarding going over the vinyl would be to make sure the vinyl is securely attached everywhere...no curling, bubbles, tears or lose edges etc. Remember Zolotone is technically, just a texturized, multi-color spray paint...the vinyl texture (not color, but texture) will probably still read through and the end result will depend on the substrate it is appled to.

I've seen Zolotone used over vinyl wallcovering in commercial applications before with great success, however I would strongly encourage you to follow all the manufacturer's recommendations for such an application.

Good luck...keep us posted on what you decide to do ~

Shari

[74Argosy24MH]

I haven't considered striping the vinyl off. . Is it difficult to do?

Nearly impossible. I have tried heat, paint remover, xylene, etc. Even when it is off you will have to sand the residue.

John

[Inland RV Center, In]

Painting over the vinylclad is not that difficult, provided you prep the material properly.
First, the material "MUST" be thoroughly cleaned.
Second, you must cut into the vinyl material with 120 grit sandpaper, until much of the original appearance is gone.
Lightly scuffing it WILL NOT WORK.
The kind or type primer to use, now depends on what final finish you wish to use.
Removing the vinyclad from the metal is not hard, but, only if you can walk on water. If you can't, then don't even try. You will be sorry, for the next two lifetimes.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

[Rob]

Thanks Andy, I was going to prime over the vinyl without sanding. I'm glad I asked first. Probably saved me a lot of wasted effort.

Hi,
The vinyl covering in my airstream has delaminated in some places, been torn in others and is missing from the underside of the overhead in the bunk area. I have decided to keep it because it matches the tambour door and I have fallen in love with the airstream as it is. Anyway, is there any available vinyl anywhere from 1977?
--andrea

[Inland RV Center, In]

Andrea.
All the "vinyl clad" aluminums have been discontinued by Airstream, some 3 or 4 years ago.
You can cover the interior with materials such as "Ozite."
However, an exact installation, with "ALL" the proper materials and adhesives, is a "must."

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[FLguy8]

When I first purchased the '71, the interior was discolored, front and rear plastic sections yellowed from age. Throughly cleaned the wall sections, sanded lightly only the plastic parts and used semi gloss and a small foam roller to paint all of it. The result was fantastic. Gave the interior a 'new' look. The semi gloss kept the original sheen and is very durable.
Have changed the color twice since the first initial painting and the original graining of the walls is still perfectly visible. Helps to seal some of the rivets and seams too!

Paint sure does hide a multitude of sins!


FLguy8

[hex]

Inland Andy says;"Removing the vinyclad from the metal is not hard, but, only if you can walk on water. If you can't, then don't even try. You will be sorry, for the next two lifetimes."
_____Andy____

However the venerable airstreamcaravel postulates:

"I would bet that ACETONE would remove it! OR any of the specific adhesive removers like GOO GONE would be worth a try.......
Clear as Mud now?"
___DMC___(Airstreamcaravel)

There is a member whose husband has sea-legs (apparently). i.e. he apparently can walk on water (in her eyes anyway) follow links below:
Links to vinyl stripping: (vinylclad,vinyl removal,vinyl walls, etc)
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=2625

http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=2892


I wish the lady Anna would post some pictures. and that Airstreamcaravel in Chicago who vows that acetone works and is willing to bet money on it...but no proof that I have seen.

So again nothing settled, yes dude it IS as clear as mud! I will eventually see for myself, but this seems to be a recurring question on all the forums.
As I have said before..."it's prob'ly not impossible but I'll bet it is dammed hard! I'm hopin' though that Andy and I are wrong and Anna & Chicago are right on)! Cause I want the stuff off my walls too.

[Terri]

Originally posted by FLguy8
When I first purchased the '71, the interior was discolored, front and rear plastic sections yellowed from age. Throughly cleaned the wall sections, sanded lightly only the plastic parts and used semi gloss and a small foam roller to paint all of it. The result was fantastic. Gave the interior a 'new' look

Paint sure does hide a multitude of sins!


FLguy8

FLguy8 can you please tell me if you used oil or latex based semi gloss. I have just purchased a 1973 31' Sovereign and am thinking of painting the walls as you did. What colour did you go with? Any ideas on filling old rivet holes prior to painting? Thanks

[smily]

You gotta admit that that vinyl clad stuff is darned good stuff.

I cleaned the Sovereign this weekend and boy that stuff is durable.

The wife is not fond of the floral print in the bathroom but you gotta recognize the quality of the stuff.

I asked that she work around the floral print rather than wall paper. (I did not mention that she could paint it, shhhhh)

The AS turned very white compared to the original state. The AS had sat for 4 years.

Smily

[Inland RV Center, In]

Smily.
Now try some Future Floor Acrylic on a small area of the vinyl clad. Your wife will love it. Two coats will make it look great.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[silverhawk]

Greetings, I've tried every cleaning product you can think of to get that ( who could ever guess the last time this was cleaned) dingy stuff off of my walls. 409, no. Fantastic, not. Clorox cleanup, do'nt. Simple Green, closer. Then, lost on a shelf, a small spray bottle, orange, free I remember. It was home Depot, more than a year ago. Handed to everyone at the door. Long forgotten on that shelf. What the hay, give it a go. WOW! This is the stuff that everyone with an old trailer wishes for when the elboe feels like its going to fall off. It's put out by Zep, called CITRUS cleaner & degreaser. I was amazed, I was thrilled, I felt like I had found the grail. I highly recmend this stuff for brightening those interior walls. It's orange and comes in a spray bottle. Bob,

[femuse]

We still stand 150% behind Super Clean by Castrol.

We have a long experience at cleaning the grungiest, stickiest vinyl. (from Airstream original 1971 grease on the walls, to our vending tent coated with tree sap and worse)

read about our experience with Super Clean_the miracle cleaner

[Silvertwinkie]

Friend of mine, his father used to work for Zep. We had all kinds of stuff from Zep around. That stuff is great stuff. If Zep can't solve your problem with what it has (and they have more products than I have hair and I have a full head, cut like a marine, but a full head), it just might not be cleanable (if that's a word).

Zep is great stuff.

Eric

[featherbedder]

I Read All The Qs. And Replys To Stripping Vynil Off Aluminum But My 76 31ft Has Vinyl On Wood Partitions That Peeled And Shrunk , Heat Gun Makes Pliable Enough To Take Vinyl Off Plywood ,airstreams Better Idea Just Like End Caps Splitting .i Feel That I Can Be Critical Of Some Of Airstreams Brillancy As I Have Owned Airstreams Since 1962 ,i Have Had 5 Airstreams & 1 Argosy . Can Any One Tell Me How To Get Glue Off Plywood So I Can Finish Wood As It Looks Good & Sort Of Matches Antique Pecan Doors Etc. Thks.racer Bill

[kansasmoose]

just picked up my 1st a/s. its a 1978 28ft international land yacht. can anybody tell me what the interior walls are covered with? i like the vinegar cleaning idea, what about scrubbing bubbles? thanks, kansasmoose