Distorted OCC view

I am polishing my 1958 Flying Cloud. 30 hours and about 25% finished.





Dick

Front tire looks a little low.

oooo shiny!! nice!

got a trip planned for the summer?

whats the "4346" mean?

Benn,
We are using it locally for weekend trips this summer. We went 550 miles on a work related trip to Washington State. Stayed in it instead of the conference Center/Hotel like everyone else. Next Sunday we will do the same thing to Pendleton Oregon.

The 4346 is a Wally Byam Caravan Club International number. Google Wally Byam. He founded Airstream and took owners on Caravans all over the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa. It is still in existance today.

Dick
Moderator. This should probably be in Off Topic, but did not know how to move it after I posted. My Olds is the prime mover for our Airstream however.

you're pretty good at polishing colonel,.

my wagon is looky a bit dingy these days,...

Nick

Looks like you'd blind other motorist with that thing going down the road. Lookin' good though.

Wow, that's one shiny trailer. Nice work. And of course... nice Cruiser!

200OZ wrote:

Looks like you'd blind other motorist with that thing going down the road. Lookin' good though.

My wife said I would not be allowed in the forest because I might start a fire. As Peggy Lee sang, "What a lovely way to burn".

I took the propane tanks off yesterday and detailed the tongue and front of trailer. My sister-in-law said I was obsessed. Or was that posessed? Is that something like the other forum members?

Col

phantom 309 wrote:

you're pretty good at polishing colonel,.

my wagon is looky a bit dingy these days,..

Nick

I thought you were going to stop by Oregon. Maybe next trip. I will keep the polish ready Nick.
Col

Are the propane tanks aluminum too? Next polishing project maybe?

Mike

Beautiful work Dick,are you going to clear coat the surface when done?

cotton wheel with rouge? High speed rotary or drill?

Superior Finish wrote:

cotton wheel with rouge? High speed rotary or drill?

Wax on,...

Wax off,.

drill makes scratches,.

Superior Finish wrote:

cotton wheel with rouge? High speed rotary or drill?

I am using a variable speed DeWalt rotary with NuVite G6 compound. I found 1200 RPM worked about the best. Then I followed up with a Cyclo Dual Head Random Orbital buffer with soft cotton cloths and Nuvite S fine polish. I have some very bad corrosion on the top and an aluminum condition called filiform. Ugly!! There is 50 years of road rash and some vandalism deep scatched and the names Andy, Mitch and York. The PO told me he knew those kids. They are in college now.
Airstream started clear coating their trailers in the mid sixties. It was short lived. Owners with the clear coat must strip in order to polish. The 40s and 50s trailers had a softer alluminum clad to a hard rigid layer. They shine the best. The newer ones have a brushed look.

The process burnishes the finish and a coating is not recomended as it clouds the mirror look. I still have a long way to go. Some panels have taken 5-6 passes with the rotary. The fine polish and random buffer take out the swirls. Professtionals charge $125 to $150 per lineal foot. My shell is 19"=$2375 to $2850.

It would be easier if I was younger or richer. Oh yeah. I will finish the windows and small details with a small Mothers ball. I clean out oround the rivets with mineral spirits after compounding each 18"x18" section.

Dick

Oh.... The rotary is used with a wool pad that I rack before it gets to goopy. Then I use a different one and wash the first.
Dick

when was the last time it was polished?

That trailer is beautiful!!! I would love to have an airstream. I guy down the road has had one for a while and it has not moved. He used to have a 96 RMW but not its gone. So maybe the trailer goes next!! I will have to stop by.

benn wrote:

when was the last time it was polished?

I bought it 5 years ago and paid a guy to polish it. He did a half ass job. Later he contacted me from prison (really) to borrow money for an appeal. Said he would domy trailer again only better. I sent him 20 bucks for cigs. So now it is my turn to do a 3/4 ass job. Or 7/8ths.

It is a lot of work. The first morning after I had done the back corner it rained. Water beaded nicely but the unpolished top marked the lower polished part. It came of with a towel though. Note to self: Polish top next before I do the curbside.
Dick

Man I love that Airstream....and that OCC!

-Mike

We are taking a trip to Pendleton Oregon for work and pulling the trailer. I will get a shot of the OCC with Airstream hooked up. Shiny side of course.
More progress.

Last week business trip on the way home.

Looking good. Would love one of the airstreams, but the prices... ouch!

Dont look now but you have a ghost watching you in that third picture.Maybe those 3 kids in college can come by and pay for their youthful damaging ways by helping you polish.Sounds like you have the right equipment and you definitely know what you are doing.Going to be a
great looking Airstream until it rains.

s1l1sc wrote:

Looking good. Would love one of the airstreams, but the prices... ouch!

Remember this is a 1958 not a 2013. Not worth a whole lot. We are sleeping in it tonight in a parkinglot. I will start a new tread about this one.
Dick