Re: [VAC] Polishing my 1967 airstream caravel

[Ed <twin_wasp@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dale:
I have been doing a low budget rehab of a 1969 27'  international
that sat unused for 15 years. My initial game plan might help.  
There are two primary objectives,  make the trailer safe and road
legal, and stop further deterioration from oxidation, water leaks or UV
:

•     Wash off all the grime
•     Ruthlessly search for leaks and discretely caulk them with silver colored caulk.
•     Put on a nice thick coat of wax.  Worry about polishing it last.  If you read the postings by Airmark Company, you should never do anything but use their services to polish your 'stream.  They are very expensive. Airstream says to use aluminium polish and wax.  However, I would do this last so that you polish out any streaks or marks you make while repairing the beast.
•     paint the plastic exterior parts to further protect from UV damage.
•     Get the tires and brakes checked out by a competent trailer expert.  Find the best trailer mechanics in your area, and stick with them.  You will save money in the long run.  Mechanics unfamiliar with trailer brake systems will give you all kinds of bad advice.
•    Make any repairs needed to the tow connections.
•     Open up,  file the rust, and reset the grounding screws on all the exterior lights. This will fix 95% of the nonworking ones.
•     Get it inspected.
•     Buy a copy of Bob Livingston's RV Repair and Maintenance Manual. This will explain almost everything else.
•     Only then get really involved with the interior.

Ed