Any advice

We had a scratch about 4-5' long from a tree branch from pulling out a site. I had a paint shop buff out the scratch completely. I found it better to have someone experienced do the buffing than make the damage worse. Cheaper in the long run IMO.

Also consider either pitching the cover completely or finding one where they will warranty any damage done by their cover.

I had the same thing happen with a classic Mercedes and I was not happy. I had paid a pretty penny for the best cover I could find and the manufacturer told be it was my fault for parking it in an area susceptible to winds.

GGeorge wrote:
Well I took the cover off the RV. Immediately I noticed where the cover has rubbed against the side front and back and it looks like someone took a brillo pad to the bumper area.

I took it to CW in Akron and they think it is just the gel coating scratches, They are really not bad but it no longer shines in those area. They suggested take it to a body shop.

Is this something I can do myself? Use a buffet and ????? to apply more gel coating?

Any ideas, thanks

G George
2014 Coachman Encounter

G George,
Well Sir, without some close-up pictures to see the actual damage, it's kind-a hard to really prescribe the course of action that will be the least abrasive yet, still get back your original shine. This is PRECISELY why I have never, and will never install one of those "throw on" covers. Even if you have your rig completely detailed minutes before you put one of those covers on, you can still end up with what you're experiencing. A very large percentage of folks put those covers on ONE TIME and, never put them on again, for various reasons.

But, I've done my share of "rubbing out" of bad spots, sun damaged paint and surfaces, and more. Sure, a "professional" style buffer can and, is often used in many situations like you describe. But, caution must be taken to limit the amount of material (paint, clear coat etc.) that will be actually removed during the buffing process. And, of course, the use of the right compound is of prime importance too.

Can you do it? Sure you can. But, if you've NEVER done any high-speed buffing or, rubbing out of any painted surfaces, you might think about getting some coaching on the process so you don't do any more damage than what's already been done. Doing it by hand, is, in many cases, pretty tough to do, unless you're a glutton for punishment.

Just about anything can be rubbed out or, re-polished, with the right equipment and compounds etc. Take care and be careful.
Scott

If it is a full body paint job, chances are that the cover has rubbed through the clear coat finish. This is something that can only be fixed by a repaint of that area and is NOT a simple spray on more clear coat type of repair.
IF you have a fiberglass exterior coach with decals you may be able to buff or compound the area out to bring back the shine. This can be done by hand if you do not have a buffer.

A little polishing compound followed by quality wax. If that does not take care of things, then your options are body shop or ignore it