Re: [A/S] Re: Clearcoat + painting A/S

[Jerry Flanders <jflanders2@xxxxxxxx>]

One of the experts at the Airstream factory told me the clear coat peeling 
results from the coating losing its elasticity - it has to be slightly 
elastic to stretch and shrink along with the aluminum as it expands and 
contracts with temperature changes during the day.

The reason they recommended Walbernize as a protectant was they had found 
it helped the coat remain elastic longer. This was for a particular version 
of the coating they were using a few years ago. Coatings change through the 
years, though, so Walbernize may not be useful on current production trailers.

The paint manufacturers engineer particular paints toward particular 
applications - they could recommend which of their paints would hold up 
best on weather-exposed aluminum surfaces, and which primer to use. I have 
seen technical data like this - check their web sites if interested.

Jerry W4UK #4404