Hello Bill, what do you use instead of Met-All. I agree that its notgreat. I've
had better results with Bush's Alumium polish from Camper's world,but there
must be something better out there.
Jim
'61 Bambi

Bill Scott wrote:

> Hey Major Gary, I'm sure some have used flour to soak up some of the
> black residue. I find that it just makes a bigger mess and loadsup
> your buffing pad. When using a thick 7 inch pad, if it loads up with
> the black residue, I just run it on a hand held wire brush momentarily
> which cleans it off pretty good. I've never seen a Met-All job thatwas
> above average. Maybe you have had good results. Thanks for the input.
> What kind of buffer did you use, and did you have problems with the
> flour loading up the pad ??
>
> Bill Scott
> 61 Bambi
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: [VAC] Plasticoat Removal
> Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 14:18:26 -0500
> From: MAJGary Danio <averyrotc@skybest.com>
> Reply-To: vintage@airstream.net
> To: vintage@airstream.net
> References: <29880-36FFC52D-6196@mailtod-232.iap.bryant.webtv.net>
>
> Hi Bill, can't help but jump in here with a comment re: the flourand your
> advice to not use same...I use it with very good results and herebyI do
> recommend it when taking off the "black stuff" as you use the metallto
> bring out the shine. Makes the gook come off much easier. Try it.I took the
> initial recommendation from the Airstream company's literature whenI
> polished my 1961 Bambi and later when I polished the 1964 Overlander.So,
> laugh if you like, talk about the old timers (we met Bud and Bettyeat
> Huntsville as we had just joined WBCCI and the VAC) but oldtimerswe ain't.
>
> Gary and Sandi WBCCI# 9362 VAC and HAM
> '61 Bambi, 64 Overlander, 78 Sovereign
>
> Bill Scott wrote:
>
> > Hey Barry, I changed the subject line because with all the forwardsand
> > convolution, the fur was starting to fly and I'm not really interested
> > in a cat fight.
> >
> > You have to remove that old broken down plasticoat completely,beforeyou
> > start any polishing. Ultra-violet radiation is the chief culpritof the
> > breakdown. This entire plasticoat problem has caused many a sleepless
> > night for Airstream engineers and Executives.
> >
> > The old plasticoat comes off fairly easy with a local hardwarestore
> > product that is basically a paint stripper. There are several brands
> > available, I've used Savagran Stripeeze semi-paste formula and/or Bix
> > spray on stripper. Its a little messy. Follow the directions. keepit
> > away from plastics. Remove your marker lights or mask them carefully.
> > Sometimes your windows have been replaced with acrylic or lexanplastic,
> > if so, mask carefully or the stripper will eat them up. Don't breathe
> > the fumes, but do wear eye protection. Neoprene gloves are helpful.
> > After you apply the stripper, let it do the work, sometimes youmight
> > have to re-apply a second time in stubborn spots where the plasticoat
> > was extra thick. If you're unsure or lack confidence, pick a smallout
> > of the way spot to experiment. Its not a hard job, just a littlemessy
> > and tedious.
> >
> > Bud Cooper and I gave a very small and informal polishing seminarat the
> > Region 9 rally in Witchita Falls last week. It went quite well,and lots
> > of folks came by to watch me struggle with that buffer. Many people
> > asked about getting their rigs polished. We referred many of those
> > people to go see Airmark because they were supposed to be at therally.
> > Unfortunately,
> > they were unable to attend because of committments in Atlanta.
> >
> > One thing to be careful about, many old-timers are really fullof
> > Old-Wives tales. Several old-timers came over and started tellingme
> > the best way to "Polish" my Airstream because they ONCE polishedan old
> > 53 a few years back. I heard some of the Whackyest tales and screwball
> > remarks. Just a few that I would like to dispell: "Why I used Flour
> > to help get that black stuff off." ........"I used Easy-off ovencleaner
> > and then used soft and scrub and it just shined like new". I hadto
> > laugh under my breath, but many of those old timers actually believed
> > what they were saying. Someone always comes along with a "Betterway of
> > doing the Job". I always ask them to go get their trailer so Icould
> > see the results..........That usually shuts them up . Do NOT ,I say
> > again, Do NOT use oven cleaner, or flour, or any other CRAZY oldwives
> > tale product. Good luck with stripping the plasticoat, and letme know
> > how it goes.
> >
> > Bill Scott
> > 61 Bambi
> > 66 Tradewind
> >