Hello all,Back for another question for us new to the camping world. I had my 2010 SunnyBrook Harmony 269 THX detailed today and I am told by the detail guy (specializes in RV and campers) that the reason some of my camper is dull is due to the gel coat has burned off from being stored outside by the previous owner. The claim is there is not much I can do.My question is, is this truly the case? Is there a way or companies that will re gel coat (or clear coat?) My decals are it good shape so I wouldn't even mind if the coating went right over them as opposed to removing. Thank you for any advice on bringing back the shine.Also, I have some rubber seals/molding I would like to replace. on the side and back. He said most of the times new pieces are not going to stay on. Is that pretty much the case?Thank you all for your time in helping me out!

Gel coat is a process during the molding of the fiberglass, usually boats. I really don't think you have true Gel Coat.For boats it CAN be done, it is VERY expensive.A clear coat would be more economical but you'd either spray over the graphics or mask them off.

The front cap of our TT did the same thing. The GC just seemed to fade away and I could see under it. I had it painted at a local RV repair place where they used and epoxy based paint - which is the norm of fiberglass. That was about 4 years ago and it still looks better than new. Price for one color (white) with prep and paint was $800.

There are several ways to cure this, 1 remove the decals and re-jel coat.2 have it painted. 3 apply clear coat over the whole thing.any good auto body shop can help.

Painting with epoxy paint is superior to gel coat and is the way they build better quality yachts.

Gel coat does fade from UV exposure. It can be brought back by rubbing or polishing compounds which cut thru faded layer to expose 'new' gel coat. Only issue is declas over the gel coat, very hard to polish right up to decals & not damage them. Go to a boating store & see what they have. Test on small section. Decals could be taped over to protect them during process. LP paint is last resort but will survive well. Auto paints do not have quite the shine of LP but can be repaired from future damage much easier.

GEL Coat options on new to us camper | Good Sam Community

wirenutz
Explorer
Nov 01, 2016
in my case the stickers were pealing off, and that lead to removing the worst of them, and only to find how white it was under the stickers, that lead to a complete wet sanding of the entire 42 feet, top to bottom and I applied 5 coats of ZEP wet look floor polish with a micro fiber cloth, that was 2 years ago, and it still shines like new
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
LONGY wrote:
Go to a boating store & see what they have.

THIS. But give this thread a few more days....and do a search here for similar threads, maybe using GEL for the search.

There are products that will protect what is left and restore a little of the gloss; they go on like auto waxes. Old threads on here had several recommendations.

IF it is weathered to the point that the surface looks kind of like burlap material, then nothing will help much except for the mentioned epoxy paint.
solar07
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
LONGY wrote:
Gel coat does fade from UV exposure. It can be brought back by rubbing or polishing compounds which cut thru faded layer to expose 'new' gel coat. Only issue is declas over the gel coat, very hard to polish right up to decals & not damage them. Go to a boating store & see what they have. Test on small section. Decals could be taped over to protect them during process. LP paint is last resort but will survive well. Auto paints do not have quite the shine of LP but can be repaired from future damage much easier.

How do I find if there is coating left to survive? The detailer led me to believe the gel coat was burned through and completely gone. Being a 2010 that seemed crazy to me even though stored outside but I am still learning.

We are saying the other option would be to clear coat over the whole camper (decals and all?). I only paid 10k for the toy hauler so I don't want to blow the bank on this but do want to make it nice as I can and dont mind throwing some money and time at it.
LONGY
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
Gel coat does fade from UV exposure. It can be brought back by rubbing or polishing compounds which cut thru faded layer to expose 'new' gel coat. Only issue is declas over the gel coat, very hard to polish right up to decals & not damage them. Go to a boating store & see what they have. Test on small section. Decals could be taped over to protect them during process. LP paint is last resort but will survive well. Auto paints do not have quite the shine of LP but can be repaired from future damage much easier.
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 31, 2016
Painting with epoxy paint is superior to gel coat and is the way they build better quality yachts.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
There are several ways to cure this,
1 remove the decals and re-jel coat.
2 have it painted.
3 apply clear coat over the whole thing.

any good auto body shop can help.
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 31, 2016
The front cap of our TT did the same thing. The GC just seemed to fade away and I could see under it.
I had it painted at a local RV repair place where they used and epoxy based paint - which is the norm of fiberglass. That was about 4 years ago and it still looks better than new.
Price for one color (white) with prep and paint was $800.
nayther
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
Gel coat is a process during the molding of the fiberglass, usually boats. I really don't think you have true Gel Coat.

For boats it CAN be done, it is VERY expensive.

A clear coat would be more economical but you'd either spray over the graphics or mask them off.

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