How To Wash an Airstream Trailer

George and I keep joking that if the rain keeps up, the Airstream is going to need to float. I’m not usually one to talk about the weather (so boring!), but trying to fix an airstream during the rainiest summer I can remember has been a challenge. I never thought I’d be envious of the folks that fix up their Airstreams in the dry, oppressive heat of the South West.

Another Before Shot

Another Before Shot

It seems like the copious and annoying rain would clean the Airstream. (Hey, it works for my car!) But, alas, rain wouldn’t wash away four (or more) years of pollen and road dirt from the Airstream’s exterior. So last weekend when we had a glorious , glorious break from the rain, I got to washin’.

There are so many tips and tricks out there to get an Airstream shiny. This is simply how we washed an an airstream trailer. I’ve seen everything from buffing the exterior with transmission fluid to an acid bath. My method won’t make your Airstream shine like a new nickel, but it will be safer. I’m not sticking my hands in acid. No way, José.

Supplies:

Step 1: Create a vinegar and water mixture. 2 parts water to one part vinegar.
Step 2: Spray down the exterior and apply the water and vinegar mixture using a soft cloth.
Step 3: Spray off the water and vinegar mixture.
Step 4: Create an ArmorAll and water mixture.
Step 5: Repeat step 2 & 3, but this time with the ArmorAll mix.
Step 6: Towel dry.

After Buffing

After Buffing

Tips: Do not scrub with a scrub brush! We found that this actually hurt the aluminum. It is also very important that the vinegar is removed completely from the exterior or it may corrode the metal.

Another After Shot
To make our home really shine, we’ve got plans (if it every dries up) to buff our baby down!

Buff-a-dub-dub!

love,
melanie

 

7 thoughts on “How To Wash an Airstream Trailer

    1. lovelibrarianmelanie Post author

      Roberta, George has been calling it “Thee Stream Dream” because he knows I hate it. I’m thinking about just calling it “The White Thing” because that’s what our toddler-friend called it.

  1. Jo

    Looks great! Oh you must name her then you can resort to using her initials: TSD or TWT. Unfortunately TWT looks a lot like Twit. You wouldn’t call her Twit, wouldja? Jo @ Let’s Face the Music

    1. lovelibrarianmelanie Post author

      Thanks! Ha-ha, I don’t know! Twit is cute, but my husband is so picky with names. If I don’t like it, he calls it that anyway just to annoy me!

  2. Mallorie

    So I might be borderline stalking you this morning.. I think your husband is downright rad, so I’m certain that makes you a fabulous person too! (My darlin Damon works for Loser so I met your George through his Cali trips!) Anyways! I look forward to meeting you someday, so I thought I’d check out the blog since work is miserably slow this AM! Ha! I don’t know if you’ve already heard of this book, but here’s a post by Pioneer Woman about what looks to be a fun book!
    Maybe you could find some inspo, maybe it sucks, dunno cuz I haven’t actually read it myself lol Well after all that awkwardness, I hope ya have a great weekend!

    1. lovelibrarianmelanie Post author

      Hey, (again) Mallorie! I don’t think you are creepy, thanks for checking out what we’re up to! I appreciate it. I love the Pioneer Woman! She loves the butter and so do I! I’ll have to check out that book. I love a good book recommendation. Hope to meet you some day too!

  3. Pingback: Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht: The Exterior Tour | a small life

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