May 2020….one month into ownership of our 1987 32S Avion. When we bought this Avion the former owner had been using it as his mobile residence while on construction jobs.  Some of those jobs entailed camping over winter months.  Understandably he had chosen to install winter RV skirting around the bottom of the rig to the ground to lessen wind and weather intrusion.

In the photo below…You can see all the (we figure over 100) plastic black “clips” that were glued on about every 6″ onto the aluminum skin perimeter of the Avion.  In truth it was an initial turn off to see all of them because we had a genuine concern that they might leave a “forever mar or mark” on the skin–or quite honestly not come off.  The owner assured us the “glue” used was safe for aluminum and that with some good ol fashioned elbow grease they would “pop” off.  He was right!

Finally our Adirondack spring 2020 began to settle in and it has been comfortable enough to work outdoors in our RV storage garage, Kevin went to work coming up with the perfect recipe and steps to remove these little buggers.  (LOL…although this Avion has additional upgrades like specially installed heated pads around its tanks, etc. we really plan to chase 70 degrees once we retire…no need for winter skirting for us–anyone need about 150 winter skirt clips??  let us know!)

Kevin’s tools to remove!

• WD 40 (we used pourable from container, not spray on)
• Bone Tool (find on our  Links page in our Amazon item guide link
• GoJo brand textured disposable wipes
• Heat gun (a hairdryer could be used in a pinch too)
• Small plastic tray or bowl and foam 1-2″ brush

Steps to removal (video also posted at bottom)

1. Break/snap off all clips using a plastic scraper.  (do not use metal scrapers on an Avion! You will cut into the anodized finish and also possibly cut into the aluminum skin)
2. Apply WD40 using a foam brush to any remaining glue on Avion skin.  Let sit overnight.
3. Work on section by section may be easier.
4. Use textured wipe and bone tool to remove glue.
5. Use heat gun if glue is not coming off with wipe or bone tool.  Shoot heat for about 10 seconds.  Adjust accordingly- might need a second time with heat gun.
6. Wipe area down once glue spot is removed.  Continue on to the next one!

Finished!!  NO sign they were ever there! (note, yes, we know she needs a bath)  This project took Kevin about 2 days (about 8 hours total, taking his time)

Kevin does a video of steps to remove the clip glue spots- click here

Hope this post helps anyone who needs to remove winter skirt clips like we had!

Be well, hope to meet you on the road or at a rally!

Kevin & Luisa Sherman