1956 26` Airstream Trailer

[mtndrew1]

Hey guys,



Long time lurker, first time caller...



I`ve been detailing on weekends and off days for a few years now and have become fairly good at it, getting lots of referrals and such. I`ve become somewhat proficient with rotary and DA polishing on painted surfaces. Etc. etc.



Anyway, a friend of mine just picked up a 1956 Airstream trailer he wants to restore and he`d like the shell polished out. It`s badly oxidized (of course) and I believe it`s bare aluminum.



Can anyone here recommend any techniques or products for this? I`m assuming rotary polishing with something aggressive on a wool pad followed by a DA to finish up? Do I just use Menz-style products or should I go with a dedicated metal polish? I don`t believe he`s looking for show quality as he`ll actually be using this with his 1956 GMC pickup (!) for regular camping duty.



I`ve searched around and aside from the WWII aircraft polish (wow!) and the old Rolls-Royce polish I`m not finding anything. Surely someone here must have some experience!



Thanks in advance!



-Drew

[Brad B]

I have done this, believe it or not. A buddy had a large two axle Airstream and we polished it with Mothers Aluminum Polish and a RO polisher using the stiffest orange pads we could get. These worked better than wool and used less polish.



Hint: for buffing put a microfiber under the buffer pad and do it that way. Saves your arms on these big jobs.

[imported_dfazekas]

Two good threads for you to check out



http://www.autopia.org/forum/machine...tandard-2.html



&



http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-b...ver-ghost.html

[wascallyrabbit]

rolite an nuvite products would be a good place to start. both have some good info on there websites. basically your`e good to need 3 products one to remove the oxidation (pre-polish/heavy cutting), polish it bring up a shine, then a fine/final polish to bring it to a mirror finish. of course after all the hard work you`ll want to protect it with some sort of sealant (so i guess that makes 4 products total).



this is no small task and will take many hours to accomplish.

[G'kar]

There was a show on this not too long ago

reside architecture | modern design for the residential lifestyle » airstream channel

1956 Bubble Restoration Start to Finish - Page 5 - Airstream Forums

http://www.perfectpolish.com/AirstreamProject.htm