Re: [A/S] Clear Coat (last question, promise)

[Ebert Steele <k5cad@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi George,

I was waiting hoping someone with more expertise than me would
answer. I am making plans to strip and recoat my  94 30' Excella.  I
heard someone talking about ammonia, but it wouldn't touch my old
clearcoat. The most common stripper used in the furniture business
is methylene chloride based because it works. Even aircraft stripper
is the same. Its hot and you have to be careful what else you get it
on. However, I have had my share of exposure to that chemical and
have decided to use something else.  After some research on the IN I
have decided on Metal Strip by Biowash. Go here 

http://www.biowash.com/sara/sara-main-main.html

to read bulletins about it. As the name implies, it is
biodegradable, water cleanup and supposedly will not harm the grass
or critters.

The clearcoat itself is the tough one. I talked to the factory - no
help. I talked to P$S, the Ohio dealer that has a good name for
recoating and they would not tell me what they used nor would they
sell it. (I understand why.) There is a used-to-be Airstream dealer
that still does a lot of Airstream work in the Houston area but they
don't do whole trailer recoating. (Bob Jones RV). They were and
always are very helpful. He recommended PPG 2002. Go here 

http://www.ppg.com/refinishftpsite/docs/p-200.pdf

to read a PDF product bulletin on it. According to Chris Jones at
Bob Jones RV, it has the right plasticizers in it for the flexible
issue. It is a system and you need to pay particular attention to
the details such as the reducer, and the hardener. I have a HVLP
turbine rig and am going to buy a new gun to shoot it with. Not
necessary, though. You could shoot it with a regular air compressor
and a Binks or something. Its just that the HVLP rig is smooth with
a lot of control and very little overspray. 

I really wish I could get a dealer to do it. The closest dealer to
me who does it is Billy Simms in Lubbock. They are good and have a
good reputation for service but its two days drive out there.

I am not going to get started until October, George. If you do yours
first, I would appreciate it if you would post your experience to
the List.

As far as letting a professional do it, this one was done at Jackson
Center. They did not remove the old finish nor did they mask
anything. Just sprayed the new clearcoat over old peeling finish and
everything else on the trailer. I figure you and me could do much
better, George. Go for it.

I hope this helps a little.

Ebert Steele