9 Brilliant Tips for Keeping your Airstream Shiny

Aluminum is the third most common element on earth – after oxygen and silicon. But it wasn’t until 1889, when Charles Martin Hall patented an inexpensive method for the production of aluminum, that the metal came into wide commercial use. Hall had just graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio when he invented his method of manufacturing pure aluminum. What a coincidence that most of Airstream’s aluminum trailers have been made in central Ohio.

For the past 80 years Airstream has been manufacturing their oval shaped trailers from aluminum – and not just the outer skins. The inner skin and the internal structural ribs are also pure aluminum. On the other hand, square shaped trailers are made from wood or plastic interior walls and the frames are made exclusively from wood.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal found in the earth’s crust – so it’s no wonder it’s also a part of every other part of your life. From most car parts, to pots and pans, to cell phones, to home’s window frames and roofing, you will find something made from aluminum in pretty much everywhere.

Aluminum doesn’t rust and it’s super light. It’s also is also super cheap. When it’s clean and polished it’s shiny and silvery to look at – way cool!

As a metal, however, aluminum by itself isn’t very useful — it’s too soft. S o, it is mixed with stuff like copper, zinc, magnesium, or manganese to create an alloy that’s stronger and more durable. It’s also very resistant to corrosion due to its affinity for oxygen. When you see an older Airstream that’s all dull and grey that’s aluminum oxide – the stuff we want to remove.

In the past three years HofArc has been refurbishing Airstreams, experience has taught us some valuable polishing and cleaning techniques. We’ve also found some products that work great, and others that don’t. The bottom line? Just like your car, weathering and time will dull your Airstream. Here are 9 tips for keeping your Airstream shiny-er, longer.

1. Cover it.

This may seem obvious, but of the hundreds of Airstreams we worked on, we’ve seen just two clients actually cover their Airstream in storage. Sure, it won’t ever rust, but sunlight and time will bake-harden grime, sap, bird droppings, and other caustic materials making them almost impossible to remove without heavy buffing. Covering will also reduce the amount of moisture and other elements that accelerate the oxidation process that turns that shiny skin grey.

2. Wash it.

…about every 4 weeks. Oil, grease, dust and dirt may be removed by washing with any mild non-abrasive soap or detergent. You probably wash your vehicle at least once a month, and your Airstream is a vehicle – so why not wash it just as often? We realize it’s not that convenient to drive your Airstream to the local car wash, but those hand washing coin-op wash bays work great. We often will drive through one on our way home from a road trip. There are also many mobile car washers in your community that will charge about $100 to wash your trailer. We recommend you have it washed in the spring and fall. If you live in coastal areas, as we do in Santa Barbara, do it more often. If you have hard water, as we do here in the Central California Coast, use a faucet that’s connected to your water softener, if possible. And don’t let the sprinklers spray on it, either. Hard water is your Airstream’s number one enemy.

3. Polish it.

…at least twice a year. Your Airstream is a $50,000+ investment, so chances are you’d wax a nice car a couple times a year. After your vintage Airstream has been professionally polished, you should maintain that mirror shine by polishing it with fine grit polish compound at least once a year. Start out buying yourself a Makita or Milwaukee rotary polisher and a can of S-type fine grit polish. If the Airstream was polished correctly within the past year the re-polishing job shouldn’t take more than an hour a linear foot. Check out this 4-page primer on “How to Polish Vintage Airstreams” by Steve Hingtgen, owner of Vintage Trailer Supply. Then go find a strong, healthy young person and create a job!

4. Shade it.

Always clean your Airstream in the shade or on a cloudy day when the aluminum skin is cool.

5. Remove it.

Anytime you return from a trip, be sure to remove the road grime, immediately. Cleaning should be followed by a thorough clean water rinse. We like to use a good quality squeegee to dry the unit first, then we follow up with a chamois or a soft cloth. This process will help prevent spots and streaks. Remove sap, gum, resin, asphalt, etc. as soon as possible after they appear by washing and waxing. If asphalt remains on the trailer after washing, use a small amount of kerosene on a rag and wipe the spots individually, being careful not to scratch the finish.

6. Got water spots?

Sprinklers are great for your plants, but not for your Airstream. Remove water spots sooner than later using a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. For extra strength add a small amount of lemon juice. Water spots actually etch the metal or glass, and no amount of detergent, lime-away, ammonia, vinegar, polish, or even oven cleaner will remove it. Remember, lemon may taste good in your cocktail, but it is high in acidity, so don’t leave it on long.

7. Cleaners we like:

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works great on the outside and inside of your trailer. Simple Green Car Wash is gentle enough to clean delicate bare Airstream surfaces yet is a highly effective and biodegradable cleaner. To remove tougher stains and grime, you might try a small amount of Simple Green Lime Scale Remover or Thetford Lime and Scale Remover work well, but Thetford is a bit pricey. Be sure to dilute in a bucket according to instructions, sponge wipe, and rinse off well.

8. Go with the pros.

A vintage Airstream expert, Dan at Vintage Campers, recommends using Streak Master Aluminum Cleaner And Brightener. This product is safer for you and the environment than traditional aluminum cleaners and brighteners that contain nasty hydrofluoric acid, yet still remove road film, grime, water stains, oxidation, and actually brightens bare aluminum.

9. Go easy.

Although aluminum is one the most plentiful it’s also one of the softest metals on earth, so a stronger cleaner is not always better. Whatever cleaner you use, be sure to dilute it properly, and test whatever you’re using on a small area to see how it works for your application.