How to Polish a Brushed Aluminum Airstream
When you take your Airstream trailer out, you want it to look nice. Polishing it is one way to do this. When you polish a brushed aluminum Airstream, you have to make sure that the brushed pattern stays the same. This do-it-yourself project requires you to take your time and work methodically to ensure that the entire trailer gets polished. Areas that aren't polished will look dull compared to the rest of the trailer.
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Things You'll Need
- Automotive wash
- Masking tape
- Metal polish
- Orbital sander
- Buffing pad
- Polishing pad
Instructions
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1
Wash the Airstream using an automotive wash to remove any dirt or debris from the trailer. Rinse it off thoroughly and let it dry completely.
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2
Tape off any areas of the Airstream that you aren't going to polish using masking tape. This includes the windows, any airbrushing and wooden components, such as wood frames around the windows or rear doors.
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3
Apply light blue or medium grade cream metal polish to a small section on the front of the trailer using a sponge. You should start from the top of the trailer and work your way down.
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4
Buff the area that you applied the metal polish to using an orbital sander with a buffing pad. While it is possible to do this by hand, your arms will get tired well before you finish the entire trailer.
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5
Repeat steps two and three working around the entire trailer. Once you finish the front, including the tongue, move on to each side and then do the back.
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6
Go over the entire trailer using a polishing pad on the orbital sander. This will make the brushed aluminum shine like brushed chrome.
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7
Polish the top of the Airstream trailer, if desired. Do this in the same way you polished the rest of the trailer. You should cover your shoes with old, soft shirts if you step on the top of the Airstream. Make sure that you are very careful when climbing to polish the top.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use a toothbrush to clean along the trim and windows of the Airstream.
Work in a covered area if possible. This will protect your Airstream from any debris that is in the air.
Wear gloves when you polish your Airstream if you have sensitive skin.
Don't use a metal polish that is coarse. The light blue or medium grade cream metal polish is made for brushed aluminum.
Try not to get any metal polish on the windows. If you do get some on the windows, wipe it off immediately with a damp towel. Metal polish can cause the windows to pit.
