Researching the archives, I didn't see this topic discussed, possibly because its a obvious stupid question, but......

Why are Barths painted? What would be wrong with the aircraft/Greyhound bus look with maybe a little accent striping?

Since I'm replacing just about everything mechanical and the interior is pristine, I can't help but dream of a shiny metalic body...."Silverfinger-008".

What would be the downside of taking the skin down to bare shiny metal and perhaps using a clearcoat to inhibit oxidation?

Don
'84 Regal 28

PS: One more thing....
Does anyone know of a source for a metal or fiberglass exterior windshild sunvisor, similar to those seen on 18 wheeler cabs, and which might be adapted to the '84 Barth Regal? It could serve several purposes, including hiding the ugly rubber seal at top of windshild. If done right, it should look pretty cool and be functional.

quote:

Originally posted by dogill:

What would be the downside of taking the skin down to bare shiny metal and perhaps using a clearcoat to inhibit oxidation?

If there is any corrosion or previous body work lurking under the paint, it would not polish out well. If you have none, it could be quite attractive.

Uhhhhh, hey Don, errrrrr, those ripples all down the left side.....uhhhhh, well, whatever you do, don't take the paint off there. Just have a wheelbarrow, broom and shovel ready if you do. Oh, and some plastic sheeting and duct tape if it looks like rain.

Ron,

You sorry turncoat SoB jockey, there are no ripples on either side of this coach. Your post caused me to trudge out in the cold to scrutinize. Damn near caused pectorial angina and conjured wicked thoughts of retribution :-)

Am I incorrect in assuming that the entire exterior of the '84 Barth is 100% aluminum, and if so, aluminum corrodes??? Obvisously, it must since I've read so much regarding same.

It is perhaps noteworthy that the previous owners did not live in coastal or salted snow road regions and the undercoating is still in excellent condition.

I don't doubt the old paint would be a booger to strip and wonder what would be the best technique? However, it does seem reasonable that it might be less costly than new paint job? Of course, I belive a clearcoat would be necessary to insure the waterproof integrity of the rivets, as well as inhibiting the dulling effect of oxidation. Any thoughts? Sure would be a rich look if doable.
Don

BTW: Ronald, How's your AquaHot system working? Did you know they now make 48 quart ice chest with refrigeration units?
:-))

You guys are a kick,

I had always thought that the aluminum used on the Barth had been treated with the idea of adding paint. I have known a couple guys who have attempted to polish their coaches like Airstreams. These have both been with former bookmobiles and such and met with limited success. One guy just gave up after months of part time polishing. At least it was until I received the following pictures,which prove that it can be done. As far as comparing the cost to painting you have to include medical costs for carpel tunnel, rotator cuff, and chiropractic visits in there somewhere. Plus two 55 gallon drums of compound.





The following are some handy links on the subject;

http://www.topoftheline.com/rvaluminumpolish.html

http://www.metalwax.com/RV'S.htm

http://www.airstream.net/FAQ/FAQ_6.html#Polishing


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[This message has been edited by davebowers (edited March 10, 2005).]

There are silver paints that can be brushed and look like a spray job. Takes a little practice but it is not the black art some say it is. Careful prep and brush it out at sunrise on a warm dry day, be done no more than two hours after sunrise. Some practice on small scrap metal or plywood to do your learning is strongly encouraged. If you want to skip the learning curve, at most boat yards they can point you to someone who can brush this paint, if you do the prep work it can drop the cost one heck of a lot.

http://www.islandwaterworld.com/pdf1/cat04_21216.pdf

These people make a silver paint.

I have "started" to polish the radius areas around the coach. It is a great deal of work and from the links Dave offered you will see most of these people have an aircraft in a hanger and using very fancy polish equiptment and lots of time can get a mirror finish. Now the Airstreams I am told have a pure aluminum plating over the structural aluminum and that is why they will polish well.

1) Strip paint.
2) Sand with 600 wet and dry
3) Sand with 1000 wet and dry
4) Use big polish pad and fancy compound from the links Dave offered.
This much is done on about twenty percent of the radius, I am into it for about 30 hours.

The following is not done, please note steps 8 and 9
5) Save money to buy that two head polish machine the links talk about or keep looking on Ebay.
6) More polish after I get two head machine.
7) Keeep clean with Glass Wax.
8) Give up on the Glass Wax and brush on clear Linear polyurethane paint.
9) Give up on the clear Linear polyurethane paint as the UV will eat it and change to silver.


Ok clear coat, it will dull the polish but I must say just the small area I have "started" suggests that the quality of the polish job is less than what we see on Airstreams and is ....oh boy is it a lot of work.

I plan to continue but I am nuts. Self aware but nuts. I do not expect to ever finish and my plan is just the radius areas.

The flat part of the coach, front and maybe back will be replaced with polished Stainless and I will buy it polished.

Whew! Fellers,
I got muscle aches and sweaty just reading this "Shiny Barth" info.
But Dave, the bottom half of that Barth looked fantastic. Which year model is it with the flat metal on top half?
What about sandblasting the old exterior?
Don
PS: Reason for factory painting must have been product cheaper than polishing labor plus the ability to economically hide fabrication blemishes, reck'n?

[This message has been edited by dogill (edited March 10, 2005).]

I know why they painted the Barth Coach. It was so I could sell a CD with hundreds of Barth images and it's interesting to look at. Can you imagine 500 images of white Winnebagos or even silver Airstreams. Trust me none of the Barths in my image collection look alike...not one.

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The following is mostly an educated guess.

I suspect that Barth built these coaches with Alclad (High strength aluminum alloy coated on both sides with pure aluminum) just like what is used in aircraft and painted them using aircraft-like proceedures.

Bare Alclad material as supplied can be polished to a high luster - many aircraft owners do this.

However, if the Alclad was painted it was probably rinsed with an etching solution to make the primer stick better. Once this is done, the surface will require a huge effort to make it shine again.

Again, some aircraft owners have done this but most will say that they will never do it again.

Ha, just saw your reply old goat-boy. Wish I could have seen you storming out to look down the sides for ripples! LOL

My AquaHot system has been the most pleasing heat source I have ever owned......when the friggin thing was working! My coach has spent more time under the wrench since we bought it than the Barth did the whole time we owned it! Not complaining, just bitching a bit. :-)

To date: one patio awning (wind related, but really a mechanical failure in the locking mechanism), two fridge circuit boards, one ice maker, one fantastic fan (and the other replaced by the dealer), one Aquahot system failure (and the shop guys are not exactly experts on that system, so it could be a total loss), one set of shocks (blown
BullStein) and a gimped-up tach which the dealership won't even try to troubleshoot.

That's what you get for leaving all Barthy's deferred preventive maintaince to me! LMAO

Yes sir-ree-bob, rode her hard and put up wet with stale oats. No real God fearing stump broke cow poker woodadunat. :-}>

But worry not, she'sa just about fat and sassy again and ready for the bush racing season. The nitrous tank fit nicely in the step toolbox. Hee, hee, heeee

If I am ever on a rally with you two, I want a 1/2 stand up routine...Is it Abbott and Costello or Rowan and Martin..

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Ahhhh Dave, you know not what you ask. You gotta see Don cook "Drunk-Chicken". Of course it takes him a good length of time to get in the (ahem) proper frame of mind. I mean, the chicken is drunk, right? :-)

She was fine till your redneck-a$$ started flogging her down dirt roads and putting that 39-cent per quart recycled in her crankcase. Uhhh, perhaps I can make it up to you. I'll just swap maintenance bills with you for the next couple of years.......? :-)

Hey Ron,
Dave gave me a wonderful idea....
How about the Chittlin & Muscadine Wine Rally?
Well, maybe the First Annual Crawfish Miller Lite Rally?
Actually, a great location here, near the Hub City....dogwoods a'bloom'n, catfish bit'n, fantastic military museum, casinos, coon on the log, cock fighting, grand tour of famous Redneck's trailers!
What'cha think?
'Course we'de have to charge extra for those lightard knot buring SoB's, like yours. :->