How To Repair Aluminum Trailer Siding

So you've had a bit of a fender bough and at present you've concluded upwardly with a hole or paring in your Airstream's aluminum siding. Whether it is a small ding or a large bash, y'all should become it fixed as soon equally possible. Non just are these an heart-sore, but if left, rust and corrosion may occur–leading to an even bigger problem down the line. You can either have it in to be repaired or attempt to set it yourself. If you're a natural practice-it-yourselfer, y'all'll demand to know a few things and choice up some materials beforehand. Beneath, nosotros share all you need to know, too as a few tips to assist you out.

Earlier you become started, take note of the following:

• Do Plenty of Research: Before you boot off this logroller-upper project, be sure to do a lot of research. Watch YouTube tutorials, chat with your friends in the know, or fifty-fifty remember your RV service and repair visitor for communication.
• All About Aluminum: You'll need to get specific materials suitable for fixing your rig's aluminum siding. Whatever you do, don't opt for cheaper alternatives hither, every bit information technology could make things worse.
• Follow Directions: For your own safety (and the safety of your RV!) make sure that you follow the manufacturer'southward instructions. Likewise, but use the recommended products and tools for the job.

Aluminum 101

Typically, aluminum siding can be establish in older recreational vehicles, and of course, Airstream trailers. While nosotros love the vintage feel and classic look of this textile, i negative is that the sheen makes dents and dings very noticeable. Luckily, pocket-sized holes in aluminum siding don't require welding and a fairly easy patch task. Y'all tin can create an aluminum patch by cutting a piece of aluminum sheet to fit over the damaged area. Yous can notice these sheets in about hardware stores and some specialized RV parts shops.

For larger holes that bear upon an entire console of aluminum siding, it'south often easier to supplant the sheet rather than endeavour to fill up in the holes. You can remove the screws from the existing siding and then pry off the sheet. Side by side, you lot'll need to accept your new aluminum canvass so trace and cut it to supercede the damaged piece.

How Do Y'all Set up a Small Aluminum Pigsty?

• Step 1: Brainstorm with a clean surface. Wipe it down and scrape off any pigment or debris before you brainstorm. Clean the surface area around the hole with a sponge soaked in warm water mixed with liquid detergent.
• Footstep ii: If the hole has parts or flaps of the aluminum around information technology, printing them down to encompass a part of the pigsty to minimize the damage. You can likewise remove them with can snips or a like tool.
• Stride 3: Mix your epoxy according to the instructions. Using a putty knife stir the mixture. Apply the epoxy mixture to the hole, trying to cover it as smoothly and as seamlessly every bit possible.
• Step 4:   Leave the epoxy to dry and harden for at to the lowest degree one 60 minutes. Once stale, treat the damaged area and the nearby surrounding expanse with a fine-grit sandpaper.

How Do You Get Dents Out Of Aluminum Siding?

Getting a dent out of aluminum siding is often easier than repairing a hole. Withal, you'll demand to drill a pigsty in the siding to pop out the paring.

• Step 1: Screw the self-tapping screw into the center of the dent.
• Step ii: Use a pair of pliers to pull the dent halfway up. This volition draw the spiral upward and pop out the indent.
• Step 3: Using sandpaper, have off all the pigment.
• Step 4 : Fill the paring with the two-part auto body filler.
• Step 5: Utilise a putty knife to scrape the surface level with the siding.
• Footstep 6 : Sand the patch to remove all roughness and paint it to match the siding. Leave to dry completely.

How Coach Specialists Tin Help

If you don't feel up to handling your own rv siding repairs , Motorbus Specialists is happy to help. Our technicians have decades of experience and can perform any Airstream repair services that you may need. Here'due south why y'all can trust our team at Coach Specialists for all your collision repairs:

• Repairs to Airstream trailers can require very particular and highly-trained technicians. Bus Specialists' staff are familiar with OEM standards and materials.
• Our Airstream mechanics pay close attention to item when handling raw aluminum panels, with the outcome looking like factory-new.
• We accept extra care to ensure in that location are no leaks and your finished product holds upwardly to the original mill standards.
• Airstream construction is very like to aviation construction with aluminum structure and skins. These are assembled with rivets and a series of OEM fasteners, sealants, and adhesives that we are very comfortable with.
• Our technicians are trained specifically for recreational vehicles and take access to Airstream parts and the know-how to prepare common Airstream problems.

Other Repairs That Omnibus Specialists Can Help With:

Along with collision repairs, we can likewise help with the following:

• Electric and Plumbing: Keeping all of your systems in tip-acme shape will provide you the level of comfort you expect when on the route.
• Fabrication and Repair: We can custom fabricate the panels and or structural components, matching them to your original panels.
• Door and Window Repairs: An Airstream'due south airplane-style windows tin can prove difficult to install and or supersede yourself, then let the states do the heavy lifting.
• Awning and Steps: While these may fall to the lesser of the priority list, your awnings and stairs are critical for your travel prophylactic.
• Interior Repairs and Updating: Nosotros can aid you with everything from choosing fabric colors to interior finishes.

Whatever your RV needs, our trained team at Double-decker Specialists is here to help. Or, if you desire to practice-information technology-yourself, we are happy to offer whatsoever communication that you may need.

Contact us today for all your Airstream repair , RV services , and RV repairs . Call  (817) 842-1144 or complete our online contact form here .

Source: https://www.coachspecialists.com/blog/how-to-repair-your-rvs-damaged-aluminum-siding/

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