Protecting the stripe on Cobra trailers

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

I've replaced the blue stripe on my Cobra trailer several years ago, but
it's starting to fade again. Has does anyone know how to protect the
stripe from sunlight? "Keep it inside" is not a good option.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Don Johnstone[_5_]]

At 06:20 12 February 2011, Eric Greenwell wrote:
>I've replaced the blue stripe on my Cobra trailer several years ago, but

>it's starting to fade again. Has does anyone know how to protect the
>stripe from sunlight? "Keep it inside" is not a good option.
>
>--
>Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
>email me)

ER, does it really mattter Eric? If it does a couple of reels of masking
tape and a couple of spray cans of paint from your loacal automotive
outlet will cure the problem, and at less than £1 per year will be pretty
cost effective

[johngalloway[_2_]]

On Feb 12, 9:36*am, Don Johnstone
> wrote:
> At 06:20 12 February 2011, Eric Greenwell wrote:
>
> >I've replaced the blue stripe on my Cobra trailer several years ago, but
> >it's starting to fade again. Has does anyone know how to protect the
> >stripe from sunlight? "Keep it inside" is not a good option.
>
> >--
> >Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
> >email me)
>
> ER, does it really mattter Eric? If it does a couple of reels of masking
> tape and a couple of spray cans of paint from your loacal automotive
> outlet will cure the problem, and at less than £1 per year will be pretty
> cost effective

I presume that Eric is talking about the rubber bumper strip. I
would try one of those UV filtering clear sprays that are sold for
automobile trim protection and restoration from UV fading. Don't know
what brands are commonly available in the US.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 2/12/2011 2:12 AM, johngalloway wrote:
> On Feb 12, 9:36 am, Don Johnstone

>
> I presume that Eric is talking about the rubber bumper strip. I
> would try one of those UV filtering clear sprays that are sold for
> automobile trim protection and restoration from UV fading. Don't know
> what brands are commonly available in the US.

John is correct. I'm looking for a product or method that's been
successful for other owners. I didn't find any info on the Cobra site,
and haven't contacted them.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 2/12/2011 9:44 AM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> On 2/12/2011 2:12 AM, johngalloway wrote:
>> On Feb 12, 9:36 am, Don Johnstone
>
>>
>> I presume that Eric is talking about the rubber bumper strip. I
>> would try one of those UV filtering clear sprays that are sold for
>> automobile trim protection and restoration from UV fading. Don't know
>> what brands are commonly available in the US.
>
> John is correct. I'm looking for a product or method that's been
> successful for other owners. I didn't find any info on the Cobra site,
> and haven't contacted them.

Or maybe John and I misunderstood the "paint it" answer: is it practical
to paint the stripe; if so, what kind of paint is the best adhering? I
don't want to trade my faded strip problem for a flaking paint problem.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Andy[_1_]]

On Feb 12, 10:44*am, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
> On 2/12/2011 2:12 AM, johngalloway wrote:
>
> > On Feb 12, 9:36 am, Don Johnstone
>
> > I presume that Eric is talking about the rubber bumper strip. * I
> > would try one of those UV filtering clear sprays that are sold for
> > automobile trim protection and restoration from UV fading. *Don't know
> > what brands are commonly available in the US.
>
> John is correct. I'm looking for a product or method that's been
> successful for other owners. I didn't find any info on the Cobra site,
> and haven't contacted them.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
> email me)

Now I'm confused. My Cobra trailer has a blue plastic trim strip and
a black rubber seal that attempts to close the gap between the top and
bottom halves. Both deteriorate in the Arizona climate. The blue
strip get hard and loses its color. The black seal always leaves
black marks on skin or clothing.

I have tried various treatments on both but nothing works. I suspect
a generous application of money is the only solution.

I'm actually more interested in finding a product that will maintain a
shine on the glass top. So far everything I have tried goes dull in a
month. I have to admit the dealer warned me this would be a problem
and he suggested painting after 5 years.


Andy

[Gary Evans[_2_]]

On Feb 11, 11:20*pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
> I've replaced the blue stripe on my Cobra trailer several years ago, but
> it's starting to fade again. Has does anyone know how to protect the
> stripe from sunlight? "Keep it inside" is not a good option.
>
> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
> email me)

With the amount of plasticizer added to the material to make it
flexible I would not expect most paints to adhere very long. The
plasticizer loss through migration over time is likely the major cause
of the aging. There are additives for painting over flexible materials
like automotive bumpers but only testing would determine how well it
would work and for how long. In less time than that would take you
could replace the strips. Or you could do it at Parowan on the rain
days.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 2/12/2011 9:50 AM, Andy wrote:

>
> Now I'm confused. My Cobra trailer has a blue plastic trim strip and
> a black rubber seal that attempts to close the gap between the top and
> bottom halves. Both deteriorate in the Arizona climate. The blue
> strip get hard and loses its color. The black seal always leaves
> black marks on skin or clothing.
>
> I have tried various treatments on both but nothing works. I suspect
> a generous application of money is the only solution.

I always thought the black seal problem was caused by the top vibrating
against the rubber seal during the 5000+ miles of trailering I do each
year. Wiping it off with a wet cloth seems to remove the black dust. The
cloth may never be the same afterwards, so use one you don't mind tossing.

> I'm actually more interested in finding a product that will maintain a
> shine on the glass top. So far everything I have tried goes dull in a
> month. I have to admit the dealer warned me this would be a problem
> and he suggested painting after 5 years.

My metal top holds up well in our sunny climate, slowly going from shiny
to an acceptable patina after 15 years. Not a good option for the
current trailer, of course.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Andy[_10_]]

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Andy > wrote:

> I'm actually more interested in finding a product that will maintain a
> shine on the glass top. *So far everything I have tried goes dull in a
> month. *I have to admit the dealer warned me this would be a problem
> and he suggested painting after 5 years.
>
> Andy

I've had good luck with rubbing/polishing compound on my 2003 glass-
top Cobra. Three years ago I spent a weekend doing this by hand - not
a good use of time. Last year I purchased an electric polisher which
cut the job to 90 minutes or so - looks great. To keep it shiny I
added a "lean-to" shade tarp next to my garage to park the trailer
under. Seems to keep it pretty shiny for a season or two. I haven't
tried any waxes except whatever comes in Turtle Wax car wash. It
seems that there are waxes with UV protection formulated in to prevent
fading. I'm guessing the high-dose sunshine in Arizona will eat
through even that.

9B

[JS]

I'm not at home to look at the can, but spray paint for vinyl works
well.
Jim

[John Cochrane[_2_]]

On Feb 12, 11:45*pm, JS > wrote:
> I'm not at home to look at the can, but spray paint for vinyl works
> well.
> Jim

I occasionally armor-all the plastic stripe as well as the rubber on
the clamshell walls. At least it looks good for a while and cleans
it.
John Cochrane