RE: [VAL] Fw: washed airstream

["Forrest McClure" <rollie51@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Walbernize is recommended by Airstream for use on trailers with a
plasticoat. Twice-a-year application will prolong the life of the
plasticoat. If you are getting black swirls it is likely that the
plasticoat or clear coat is missing. The wax the dealership is using
is likely formulated for RV's that are painted, and it has a slight
amount of abrasive in it. As they wipe the wax around the abrasive in
it takes up aluminum oxide (the black stuff)and it gets smeared
around. Any quality wax without abrasive can be used and everyone has
their favorite. I have used 100% Carnauba wax with good results, but
the old tried and true application is Met-All. Met-All is a polish and
wax in one application. Wipe using a figure 8 pattern. Some old timers
say that the aluminum has a 'grain' to it and feel the Met-All should
be applied with the 'grain.' Use common flour applied to a clean towel
to remove the Met-All and black marks. This is best done by hand
though. If the dealership is using a buffer they had better know what
they are doing with it and it had better be the orbital type,
otherwise they will leave an obvious swirl pattern on the surface.

Forrest
VAC Librarian