A CHANGE OF PLANS

My first plan was to restore the aluminum exterior to its original gleam. I talked to experts, amassed an arsenal of polishing gear and began experimenting. I was able to achieve a mirror-like shine, but progress was incredibly slow. Our schedule simply didn’t allow for it. So I searched for paint that would form a tough, shiny surface. The answer turned out to be easy: alkyd paint. Water-based acrylic paints are best for most DIY jobs, but old-fashioned oil-based alkyds generally level out better and form a harder film. Spraying paint in our workspace would be too messy, so I tried rolling. The results were great and better than spraying in one way: The slight texture left by the roller hid small dents and scratches.

After almost 50 years outdoors in the sun, snow and rain, every exterior surface of this camper needed work.