Polishing my 4106

[Darkspeed]

My 4106 had serious damage to the anodizing where the previous owner had tried to clean it with a product containing lye and im not a big fan of the 100% painted GM's so i decided to polish it.
I have polished a number of Airstream trailers and it is a very time consuming process but is incredibly fun and relaxing to do.
I did a test patch over a year ago and left it exposed to the weather and it still looks great so it seems to be fairly stable aluminum.
I started by pressure washing then a heavy coat of Lye EasyOff Oven Cleaner for 15 min to eat off the remaining anodizing, then pressure washing with hot water and soap .
At this point you are left with a white crusty finish that would freak most people out.
Next is 180 grit random orbital with 3" discs, then 320 grit.
After that is a Dewalt Polisher with a 12" synthetic disc and black polishing compound which gives you a near mirror finish.
Due to the alloy and the processing of the aluminum there is an optical wavyness to the reflection which gives it that vintage aluminum aircraft look.
Once Polished it can be upkept with white compound or Nuvite with a quick run over.
The polished lower looks really cool but I know it will not be as maintenance free as anodized.

If you plan to try this be careful with the EasyOff oven cleaner - if you leave it on to long it will eat al the way through your aluminum and your bus will whistle when you drive!

[Darkspeed]

more photos coming...

[johns4104]

Nice finish!

[OneLapper]

That will be one good looking 4106!

[Darkspeed]

Thank you! Im going to keep it clean looking - all rivets and no trim - except I am using the wheel arch trim because i can polish it.

[Scott Crosby]

I have been polishing my silver sides too since my anodizing was trashed.  

[Darkspeed]

I have been polishing my silver sides too since my anodizing was trashed.  

Very cool! Now that would be a fun bus to polish!

[John Z]

Wow, ambitious projects! I'm hoping to do my front bumper. :-) Any ideas on maintenance needed to keep it looking good? How long it will last?

[Darkspeed]

Wow, ambitious projects! I'm hoping to do my front bumper. :-) Any ideas on maintenance needed to keep it looking good? How long it will last?

Depends what you park under..

In florida parked under an oak I have to do a 4hr touchup polish on my airstream once a year but most of that is due to what is falling / dripping out of the tree.

I would think a driven bus would be about the same.
Its funny because im obsessed with water spots on polished aluminum and when someone is looking at it they always say what water spots?
All they see is vintage shinny glory while im focused on some water spots.
The test spot i did required almost no maintenance sitting out in the sun/rain in Florida.

[John Z]

Thanks Todd. It sounds well worth it.

[Scott & Heather]

Wow, beautiful!!


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[Darkspeed]

Wow, beautiful!!


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Thanks Scott!