Airstream Polishing

Last updated Tuesday, May 24, 2005 03:07 PM

Here we go an another phase of the project (s)

The Trade Wind

Started by doing a test with the Cyclo Polisher and some fine compound

On "Toasty", there are a few spots that the finish has worn through.
We used the same polish to get the feel of the "Cyclo Polisher"
after just a matter of a minute the area was dramatically changed

 I have not been able to read enough about this, and I don’t think I could so here we go. I am using Por 15 Stripper. At first I did a test on the refrigerator door. Following the instructions, I sprayed on a “full wet coating”. And let it set about 15 minutes. Then apply another coat. It stripped off like goop. So the next  area, I applied it and waited about 30 seconds. It stripped off just as well. I scraped it off with a stiff non abrasive material the 3^rd pic below was 15 minutes of effort including washing it down. Then wouldn’t you know it, the sky opened up to a real nice downpour!

After 3 hours of stripping we are 1/2 done! It is coming off really well. Oddly enough there is NO clear coat on the roof and 1/2 down the radius.
This will make polishing more of a challenge to remove the oxidation. Best results come from spraying on the stripper, let it set for less than 1 minute, scrape it off, repeat, then spray it wet and use "gray" Scotch Brite to remove the residue.

It literally works almost as fast as you spray it on. I was amazed it only took 1 1/2 gallons to strip the entire shell. NOTE: When you polish you may find a spot here and there that the clear stayed, I had a few about the size of a quarter. They are hard to see until you hit it with compound. I just sprayed some on "white" Scotch Brite and rubbed it off, then went over that spot again.

Note: DO OT ATTEMPT TO SPRAY THE STRIPPER ON IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT!!! It dries so fast it is near impossible to get off.

I’ll be using a 6” Buffer prior to using the Cyclo. Using a 3M compound to get at the first step of polishing.

There is a note I must add. I have a brother (Bob) who has been in Auto body for 30 years. He is very progressive in his thinking. We will be trying several ways to get a good, easy finish. I have stripped 80% of the clear off. For a total of 4 ½ hours, using 1 gallon Por Strip. (Bob encouraged me to give this a try)

Today we tried some 3M with a 6” and an area with the Cyclo. The Cyclo is defiantly for finish only. Not aggressive enough to do the firs pass. Then we used the Nuvite (C grade) I dipped my finger in and made 4 lines 2 inches long 3 inched apart. You can see the results below. Seems the way to go. What I am struggling with right now is how to get the black oxidation left behind from the compound. Soapy water does not work well. 3M have polish works well with the Cyclo and a soft cloth draped over the pads. Still too much effort and we will be looking at an alternative.

Test panel #1

Fist attempt came out great! (Susan - get the camera!)

Moving on 4 hours Nuvite II - Grade C

Road side polished.
Need a break! Going camping :O)

80% done! Front nose has been completely stripped

DONE!

Made it all the way around. (60 or so linear Feet) One last test today. I was curious as to how the finish would look using Nuvite Grade F7. So I ordered some from Airstream Dreams yesterday and to my amazement it came in today. I have noticed some areas that have a haze to it that the Grade C does not seen to get under. So once the new compound arrived I decided to give it an extra pass. Now I wish I did a pass with Grade F7 then C. It worked really well as the pass for the "C" went faster. All in all, I have spent 28 hours doing everything but the roof and the Nook and crannies.

MINOR SETBACK

Attack of the vengeful Northeastern Phoebe

For some unknown (to us) reason an a local Phoebe has decided that the shine is too much.
Then entire back section above and below the brake lights was desecrated. Looks as if it spent several hours attempting to either fight off it's reflection or get inside the camper??  After it was all cleaned up we went to the store to get some things, upon return the @#$%@ bird was perched back on the roof looking smug as can be!

With all this miserable weather we have been having it does have a plus side. CLOUDS!
After the attack of the demented phoebe I had new incentive to get the roof polished. I was not going to do that till fall but....... Quick once over with #m, then Nuvite F7 then a hand polish with a Teflon based wax. (3 hours)

Ready to Roll

Things I have learned

• Stripping - Spray a 2' x 2' area, use a soft plastic scraper to remove the clear.

• Spray more stripper on and use Scotch Brite to clean the aluminum

• Rinse with water on a soft rag to neutralize the stripper.

• Polishing - Pre polish with 3M and 6" buffer with a foam wheel.

• The cord to the polisher (s) will scratch the aluminum! Use care with the cord or cover it with a soft material.

• Polish above first, the electric cord tends to hit the sides and make fine scratches.

• Don't Cyclo more than a 2' x 2' area, the compound dries and becomes hard to get off.

• Once you have the area polished, immediately put a soft cloth and go over the area.
  This does 2 things, Cleans off excess polish from the metal and the buffing heads.

• When in doubt that you have too much haze, Use the Nuvite F7 then the Grade C
  The difference is worth the extra effort!

• Use compressed air to blow out the brushes every couple of hours of polishing, lint builds up in there, this will prevent a heart check when it gets bad enough to trip off!

Questions or Comments?
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The Argosy

I know I still have a ton of work on the inside, but my polishing supplies have been coming in.
I wanted to get a bit of practice before I start on the Trade Wind.
I've washed the White Pearl several times and have found no good cleaner or way to get the grime off.
So I tried out the new Cyclo with some fine automotive compound.
It works pretty nice! Smother to the touch and the color is more consistent now.

From this test we are encouraged to press on.
The finish on the White Pearl is weathered and coarse to the touch.
After compounding a section it is several shades brighter and smooth to the touch!

This section is for the products used to perform the next phase

Polishing supplies
and more

Cylco Polisher and accessories

POR-STRIP^® - Remover / Stripper

POR-STRIP ® Paint Remover/Stripper is a clear spray-on remover with the consistency of water.
In sample testing, our POR-STRIP ® was the choice of professional auto strippers.
A special chemical-resistant spray bottle allows you to use less and finish faster than brushing.
Remove any coating from any surface without damaging window glass, chrome, or weather-strip.
POR-STRIP ® is non acidic and will not harm aluminum or factory fiberglass.