Coachy wrote:
Getting ready to make the jump to a newer and bigger coach, a Tiffin Allegro Open Road 31SA with full paint like most coaches today.
Trying to decide if the additional cost of the gel coat is a necessary expense to protect the paint or another way for the dealer to just make additional profit? Or are there alternatives?
IMHO, once the Gel Coat is fully painted and protected by several layers of Clear Coat, there is nothing more needed.
The Clear Coat provides the UV protection we used to seek by waxing our paint. So wax is just extra effort and money on painted fiberglass. Wax is great on colored but non-painted Gel Coat (search for Red Max Pro discussions).
Polish buffing will bring up the shine a bit if the clear coat is dull, but polishing will remove some Clear Coat as polish is just a gentle abrasive. Too much polishing and you will need to replace the Clear Coat, which also will require new base coat. JMHO.
