Kyla
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1963 Kenskill
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Post by Kyla on Aug 22, 2020 20:39:52 GMT -8
I've been watching YouTube videos to learn how to polish the aluminum skin on my 1963 Kenskill. I see quite a variety of methods, including one that recommends four different passes with sandpaper (grit = 800, 1000, 1200 and 1500) then three passes of wet sand foam (grit = 1500, 2000 and 3000) and then three passes of NuShine polishing compound (F7, C and S).
Another video suggests that a 27-foot Airstream will take 200 hours to polish.
Is all this really necessary? Any thoughts on best polishing practices? Link to tutorial?
Thank you! Kyla
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Post by vikx on Aug 22, 2020 21:16:27 GMT -8
Mobiltec has videos on polishing windows, there's a paper at Vintage Trailer Supply and lots on Youtube. If you polish, it has to be kept up or will turn dull again. Larry's site: cannedhamtrailers.com/ |
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Aug 23, 2020 3:20:10 GMT -8
I've tried it with mixed results. Why?
To take paint off does a certain amount of damaged creating a brushed aluminum look. Not a bad look, but hard to undo.
To do an excellent job takes heavier equipment than most people have and it does take 200 hours on an Airstream. I originally thought it would be easier than painting. I was wrong. It's very hard getting decades of oxidation off.
If your skin is in rough shape, I recommend new skin from Hemet Valley RV. The skin comes painted polar white which doesn't look bad with a Z stripe added.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Aug 23, 2020 7:47:42 GMT -8
How difficult was it to get to the brushed raw aluminum finish. I kind of like it that way.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Aug 23, 2020 11:46:20 GMT -8
Brushed aluminum is much easier. You can get that finish with 000 steel wool. If you buy new skin just have them reverse the brakes so the rear is showing. Very nice.
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Post by Teachndad on Aug 23, 2020 20:05:09 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I have seen beautifully done polished trailers. They look very striking and look fantastic. However, they were usually professionally polished which is usually costly. However, I do know two trailer buds, John and Dave who did it themselves but it took a tremendous amount of work and patience. They had prior experience with that kind of equipment, though.
I thought about this for a while and realized I would never do it, unless I could afford to pay someone. AND, as someone said, it has to be maintained and repeated, down the road. More time and more $$. Though, maybe a smaller patch on the side might be worth to have professionally polished and it wouldn't cost and arm and a leg.
Me? I will paint my trailers. A poorly polished trailer doesn't look good, IMHO. It's better to leave them old and raw instead of attempting a self polish. Just my two cents.
Rod
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Aug 24, 2020 11:17:36 GMT -8
I attempted, no, I succeeded in polishing my small teardrop style camper that was covered with semi trailer aluminum (very soft). Had a coat of polish on it, looked great. Then it got wet and water spotted. Those water spots etched into the polished aluminum. Only way to get them out was light sand and polish (again). At that point I gave up. It's slowly oxidizing to the duller, brushed look and I'm OK with that. Next time I decide to something to the outside it will be painted.   Used some homemade polish derived from what the guys behind the truck stop use to polish semi wheels by hand for $5 a wheel, just tried to make mine a little less toxic. (they use toluene, I used mineral spirits) I've been advised not to use products with ammonia in them. Although they work fast, I was warned they tend to turn the aluminum brown eventually. Not experienced this myself however. Here it is fading back to the "natural" state:  |
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