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How to Polish a Silver Camper

With your silver camper, what's old can definitely be new again. Many silver campers--especially the Airstream brand--are made with an aluminum shell. While quite stunning in all its glory, this shiny surface can become tarnished and oxidize to a dark, grey-black color. But with a few tools and the right polish, you can make your vintage silver beauty shine once more.

Things You'll Need

  • Car soap or dishwashing liquid
  • Towels or soft cleaning rags
  • Soap bucket
  • Hose
  • Mineral spirits
  • Rotary polisher
  • Wool polishing pads
  • Nuvite polish--Grade F
  • Nuvite polish--Grade C
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash entire camper with soap and water. Towel dry.

    • 2

      Remove any stuck-on gunk--such as sap--with mineral spirits. Do not use an abrasive rag or you may scratch your silver surface.

    • 3

      Remove delicate plastic pieces on outside of camper, or cover with tape and cardboard, so they don't get damaged by the rotary polisher.

    • 4

      Choose a three-foot area to begin polishing. Place a dime-sized dot of Grade F Nuvite polish every four inches within the three-foot area. Use a dry, clean towel to spread the polish around a bit.

    • 5

      Turn on the polisher and move around selected area. Go slowly--cover around one foot every two seconds. Do not press the polisher straight on to the surface, but instead leave one side slightly elevated. If scratches remain on areas you've already polished, go over those areas again, taking care not to let one area get too hot. Eventually, the black oxidization will be worked out of the area. Repeat this process for the entire vehicle.

    • 6

      Move on to the finer Grade C Nuvite polish when you've finished removing the oxidization. Again, choose a three-foot area to polish. Be sure to change your wool pads when they become matted. These two polishing steps may take some time to complete, depending on the size of your camper. Take your time and do it right, and your hard work will pay off.

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