ZEP with or without decals? Before or After?

I wish that I had taken a few photos,before during and after using the ZEP . Unfortunately I did not,but since I still have some of the Product I suppose that I could replicate the results for those who still think that it is the Cats Meow!
I will not be doing so on My Rig or Boat However. So give Me some time to find something unimportant to ruin!
To those who will tell You that preparation is the key to success ,They are quite Correct,but if You are going to go through the Hours of Prep time necessary to achieve a proper job ,why would You finish using a Product that was never intended to be used this way!

Yes it does Put a shine back on the Faded Dull Surface,but it is only a temporary fix for a permanent problem!

If You want a shiny paint job that will stand up to the elements ,have the unit painted with a good Clear Coat over the Base Colour!

The RMP or Zep application and success or failure is like someone buying a can of automotive paint and prep the surface and spray the paint on. One might end up with a beautiful shine and success, the next may end up with an orange peel mess with runs all over the place.
With the Zep application, its all about the preparation. If you don't get all the wax off before application, the immediate result will still be good but after a couple years, it will start to flake off. With proper wax removal the results are great. The beauty of the application is: if you aren't satisfied, the Zep removal product makes it duck soup to remove it and you can go back to whatever process you like. The remover works extremely well.

Rob, I have heard both pros and cons about the zep. I have seen "pro" pics and videos of the use of zep, and only hearsay of the negative results. Do you have pics of the negative results, it would benefit a lot of us since it is pretty popular topic.

As far as wax, Besides the amount of work it will take, I have tried a few spots and it seems to have little results, and actually what shine is produced only lasts a few weeks. Which is why I considered the zep. I used to detail cars professionally, so I have tried high speed buffing as well as da polishing. Maybe I will take another whack at it.

BTW, I have found the BEST cleaning for the fiberglass is the LA's Totally Awesome from the dollar tree. Probably strips all the wax off of the fiberglass, but it cleans much better than the TSP and Bar Keepers friend, with less scrubbing.

Regardless of what you do later, decals go on first. consider the ZEP as the base but you should follow up with regular application of a spray on uv protectant to keep the ZEP from deteriorating.

Some have had a good experience with the zep others haven't.

I'm sure robatthelake and myself will get flamed here, BUT I totally agree with not using it !

Alot of times the gelcoat shine can be brought back with a good DA buffer !

Go on youtube and type in removing/replacing decals alot of good advise and of coarse some lame ...

I've never worked with the Zep before , but I would think you would still have to clean/prep the surface to put it on.
Doing that your half way there , might as well just put the decals on then put a couple coats of wax on and your done.

I could just see the Zep turning yellow or peeling after awhile !

Do Not use ZEP ! It was never intended to be applied to an RV! I used it and have absolutely Ruined Both My Motorhome and Ski Boat!

It is absolutely the wrong stuff to use period!

I guess, I was concerned that the decals would "over adhere" to the porous dry gelcoat, and that the decals would look weird if I applied zep over them, or have a bonding issue to the surface of the decals. I suppose, I could avoid applying the zep to the surface of the decals.

Remember, the decals have to stick to what ever surface you apply them to. If its the Zep, then the decals stick to life if that of the Zep. If you stick them directly to the Gel Coat, then the life of the decals is extended by a large margin.

Chris Bryant wrote:
I would put the decals on first- otherwise they will be adhered to the layer of Zep acrylic.

X2

I would put the decals on first- otherwise they will be adhered to the layer of Zep acrylic.