Best way to polish/clean aluminum sides on Holiday Rambler

If you want the real info on how to clean/polish aluminum, go to the
Airstream Forums

Those guys live and die by their polishing techniques.

Is this bare aluminum or painted?
:)
Lynn

Biggyniner,
Well Sir, I'm not familiar with your particular coach but, if you're referring to nicely painted aluminum siding, and, it's in good shape already, all that needs to be done is a good wash and then, using a good auto wax, which there's only a zillion out there that will work just fine. I've used "Kit" for quite a while, Nu-finish is good too. Recently I've been using the Mcguires cleaner/wax and it's working just great. It's real easy on and easy off and, as far as lasting, well, none of them last for very long anyway.

So, pick one that leaves a good feeling of a nice wax job and then walk away. Depending on weather, operating conditions, environment (beach/salt air etc.) the frequency of re-application will vary a bit. Good luck.
Scott

Aluminum skin H-R should have automotive paint, so you care for it as you would the finish on your car. What's under the paint, aluminum, plastic steel, laminates, shouldn't make a difference. Unless your intention is to polish off the paint and go bare metal.

Our 2007 Monaco Monarch also has aluminum siding painted with automotive type paint. Has vinyl graphics. Had full front 3M covering installed at an independent shop two days after picking it up new in 2007.

After washing, I use automotive cleaner wax on the sides and back cap about three times a year(fiberglass top once a year). I don't touch the vinyl with car wax, but use 303 Aerospace Protectant every couple of months. Graphics look like new after six years as does the paint.

One of the reasons we bought this unit was because it had the aluminum siding. Our previous motorhome, a 2001 Itasca Sunrise was purchased new also, but after about three years the fiberglass gelcoat finish yellowed even though I kept it waxed. The painted aluminum siding is much easier to polish than gelcoat.

We have a MY2000 HR Vacationer (bought new) with painted aluminum sides and roof with vinyl graphics. I've been using Nu-Finish to wax the entire motor home. The graphics get a coat of 303 Aerospace Protectant. Plus the motor home has been garaged since 2006.

Thanks for all your tips!

Depending on what shape and what the final finish is. If it is just polished aluminum, you can use an orbital polisher and jewlers rouge, (comes in bars of diffeent colors) and polish it until water beads up on the roof, then use Meguiars wax and or a better finish is ZEP High Traffic Floor finish. If it has clear coat of paint you have to remove it and then polish the surface out and recoat it with some type of protection.
This says it all http://vintageairstream.com/polishing/