Airstream Interstate 24X, Owner'S Manual

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Exterior
6-2
2022 Interstate 24X
Exterior Care
The exterior of your Airstream Touring Coach, except
for the body kit, has been painted by Sprinter� The
care of the paint is detailed in the Sprinter manual�
The following additional information is provided by
Airstream to help you understand the finish and its
care� Following these instructions will provide a long
lasting, high-gloss finish for your recreational vehicle.
These same procedures can also be applied to your
everyday automobile, producing the same long-lasting
results�
NOTE
Information on finish care may provide additional
information and tips on the use of the Sprinter
Van as a touring coach, however, no information
about the exterior finish of your touring coach
in this manual should be interpreted as advice
or directions to disregard or void the warnings,
cautions, or other information contained in the
Sprinter’s manuals.
Waxes and Polishes
Over 90 percent of all automotive finishes are clear
coat. The finish on your touring coach is a state-of-the-
art Acrylic Urethane Basecoat/ClearCoat� This means
you will wash and polish a clear urethane coating
designed to protect the basecoat: the pigmented
coating that provides color� As its main function is
protecting the basecoat, the clearcoat needs to
be maintained especially in harsh environments�
Clearcoats do not fade themselves, but appear to fade
or lose gloss as the surface becomes contaminated by
the environment� If this contamination is not removed
frequently, the result will be a dull or low-gloss finish.
Occasional washing alone will not adequately remove
some forms of contamination and polishing will be
required�
Polishes and waxes primarily serve the following
purposes:
1� To remove minor surface imperfections caused by
water spots and acid rain
2� To remove minor scratches by filling them and
leveling the surface
3� To beautify the paint finish appearances with more
depth and high-gloss
4� To protect the paint finish from the elements
Do not use products that contain harsh abrasives
such as rubbing or polishing compounds� These
products should be used by experienced technicians
with the proper training and equipment� Most polishes
and waxes are designed to clean and polish in one
application�
A hand-applied polish or wax will offer outstanding
performance and protect the touring coach finish.
When applying polish or wax, do so in a shaded
area making sure the surface is at the specified
temperature according to the polish manufacturer’s
recommendations� Due to the variations of polishes
and waxes, incorporate the following suggestions into
the polishing technique:
1� Condition the polishing pad by rubbing a slight
amount of polish on it�
2� Use only the amount of polish specified in the label
directions�
3� Work a small area at a time�
4� Rinse off and remove dried polish from crevices,
trim, and moldings�
5� Follow the products manufacturer’s directions�
How to Care for Your Touring Coach
Finish
Keeping your touring coach looking its best at all times
involves keeping the paint finish clean and in good
condition� This means periodic washing and polishing,
as well as getting the paint finish repaired as soon as
possible when the paint is damaged or affected in any
way. The purpose of the paint finish is twofold:
• Provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance�
• Protect the vehicle from the environment�
Your touring coach is exposed to many environmental
conditions that have an adverse effect on the paint
finish:
1� Road salts and sodium chloride
2� Road tar/bugs
3� Bird droppings/tree sap
4� Industrial fallout/acid rain/pollution
5� Ultraviolet exposure and moisture
The most common problems resulting from these
conditions are corrosion, staining, and chemical
spotting� These problems can be minimized through
regularly-scheduled washing and polishing�