On Jul 23, 2011, at 10:50 AM, Denman wrote:
> Anne, yes it needs a "touch up" not a full hardcore polish once a year or so with normal use (likely more often if you live in say a salty environment). When it is first polished they generally use a heavy duty polisher quite often with several different levels of polish to work through the oxidation and bring out the finish. It is hard, slow work. Then at the end, they usually use a Cyclo brand dual head polisher with a lighter abrasive to pop it and and give it that mirror shine. Generally the Cyclo is what is used on the yearly touch up unless you get some bird poop stains etc. that need extra attention. Generally the touch with the Cyclo goes rather quickly, perhaps a few hours or so. Note, the vintage trailers have an Alclad finish that really gives the true mirror shine that so many like. The newer (post 80/85??? or so) trailers have a different type of panel that will still shine up very nicely, but doesn't give the full, super mirror effect.
>
Thank you, Dennie, for this great information! I have been looking at an old single head polisher my husband had in the garage and wondering if I should buy a new buffing cap and keep it. I think it's an old Sears brand he had for an antique car he had many eons ago. Still turns on!:-) Not sure what advantage a dual head with smaller polishers has over a single with a wide surface, but probably it has to do with working around the trim. ??
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> Vintage Trailer Supply sells much of what is need to polish (not that you would choose to do it yourself) and step by step instructions:
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> http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Aluminum_Polishing_s/3.htm
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> The average size trailer (I guess a 25 - 28') takes about 100 hours of work. Hence, why I am thinking about having 1st Impressions do it. Although it might not be a bad fall/spring project for me. My '99 is mostly showing fading/peeling (as typical) along the top edges and the end caps (Airstream pattern baldness). The majority of the trailer still looks fine. If I do it myself, I will likely strip it in sections thereby keeping my clearcoat intact in the other areas until I am ready to work on them. That should help to make the polishing a bit easier.
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Are you planning on re-clear-coating after you finish polishing?
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> During the 90's Airstream had to switch to a different type of clearcoat system due to EPA requirements, this system has proven to be rather short lived (10 years or so) a compared to the earlier systems. The 2000 on trailers use a newer coating system, that so far, seems to be holding up a better most cases. However, if need be or wanted all of these can be strip and shined or stripped and recoated. A few people even paint them, I like some of those, but it's not what I want in owning an nice shiny silver Airstream!
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I love the shiny look, but do not anticipate having a garage in my future, so I'll either have to farm it out, or pick a campground and climate that has very understanding owners and neighbors:-) Any suggestions of polishers near Albuquerque?
> One last note, P&S in Ohio is generally considered to be the "kings" of polishing or recoating. The do very nice work from what I have seen, they can even take an 80 or 90's trailer, strip it, recoat it and then put modern emblems and graphics/pin striping on the trailer that makes it look like a newer model (if you wish). Of course the will also just polish it too.
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> http://www.pandstrailerservice.com/
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> More info than you likely need or want, but I thought I would post it just in case.
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All great info. Thanks for going to the trouble!
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> I know one thing, I would hate to be doing any of this outside today!!! it's going to be 100+ here today.
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And today. I am not sure I'd even want to be camping in weather like this. It's like being inside a microwave, but with humidity!
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> Dennie
> Frederick, MD
>
Thanks again! Anne across the river in Loudoun.
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