What goes into an Airstream buff and shine? An unbelievable amount of muscle, several layers of rubbing compound, polish and a polishing wheel. Repeat process. This Airstream was neglected for over 30 years, so there’s a lot of old grime and layers to remove. How much does it cost, you are wondering? For a 30 foot trailer, you can expect to pay roughly 6 big ones (yep, that’s right, $6,000) to completely refurbish it. There’s no shortcut to restoring the luster of these magnificently shiny trailers. Roughly 50 man hours of labor went into restoring a respectable finish.
Replacing the sealant in the seams, doors and windows is important too to protect it from water damage. If you take care of an Airstream with annual maintenance, you can expect to keep your costs down. Proper care will keep your trailer looking great and operating without surprises. Neglect is expensive and preventative care should provide years of ongoing travel pleasure. Learn more about how to care for your trailer here.
Discoloration and oxidation 
30 years of weather 
varying degrees of color 
No luster remaining 
Attempts to polish years ago added to the discoloration 
Seals eroded, became moldy, mossy and discolored too 
Oxidation turned the entire trailer into a dull gray 
2nd application of polish
Clint is removing the first round of polish 
This polish is applied over the entire 30 foot trailer 
The trailer isn’t the only thing that’s getting a buff. It’s a bicep workout! 
No shortcuts. Good ‘ol fashion labor! 
You can start to see the clarity in the surface.
Check out the work of an expert craftsman 
Not complete yet, but it’s getting brighter
Ready for the road! 
“Look, I can see myself”. Restoring the luster makes everyone proud. 
“Let’s hit the road…..”
