[A/S] Re: A/S coating ?

["John Hilty" <hilty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,

This is the info as I have accumulated it. There is a 'plasticoat' 
coating over the aluminum which serves to protect the surface from 
oxidation. It breaks down sooner or later. In '82 or there about the 
factory went to a brushed aluminum finish making it difficult to 
polish (to a mirror finish), but trailers prior to that date can be 
sucessfully polished to remove accumulated oxidation and produce that 
mirror look. Then they may be recoated or maybe just periodicaly 
buffed to maintain an oxidation free finish. In about '89 or so the 
plasticoat formula was changed and the next few years had plasticoat 
problems. My trailer is among that group and looks kind of cloudy
from some angles as a result. Tom Patterson's website has much info 
about this topic if you want to read up on it.

John H.
Grand Prairie, TX