Hello Friends:I have a 2000 Itasca Suncruiser with fiberglass sides. Fiberglass is in "ok" shape with some oxidation but not to awefully bad. I have purchased the Porter Cable 7424XP 6 inch variable speed polisher. I am just overwhelmed at all the fiberglass cleaners and waxes that are out there and then I am just not sure what type of pad to use, I'm thinking the yellow color foam ones seem fairly standard but I could be wrong. A couple waxes I am looking at are Gel Coat Labs Gel Coat Fine Cut Polish for RV's or boats and another called 3M Marine Restorer and Wax. Both seem to have fairly high reviews on Amazon.

Lots of good products available...the 3M one you mentioned is good. I tried a new product this summer on the recommendation of "Dr. Glass" (local fiberglass boat repair guy) called Sea Power. I had great results with it on our 2001 Alpenlite. I used a fiber bonnet but only because I could not find a foam one to fit my palm buffer!

We used the 3m Cleaner & Wax with a 6" polisher/ buffer and our came out very nice. The Restorer Wax is for heavy oxidation. The 3m website will tell you the product recommendation for the existing amount of oxidation.

X2 for the SeaPower. Used it on my fiberglass sailboat for years and on our Montana. Easy on and off and if you don't want to wash the RV before you wax it still works great. If the gelcoat is really bad you may consider looking into PolyGlo. It's like varnish for gelcoat/fiberglass. Need to remove the old waxes first but the application of PolyGlo is easy, alternating coasts applied vertically then horizonally for a total of 6 coats. Then one light cleaning and and additional coat once a year.

I have a Porter Cable and use the foam pads. They can be washed out and used again but I usually just toss it. I use the Maguires line of Marine products.Don

I went with a Flex polisher, although there are many cheaper alternatives, and McGuire's foam pads. I toss them too as they don't clean very well.Started using Starbrite polish on the new trailer, so far so good. Did half the truck hood with carnauba wax and half with the polish in the fall. So far the polish is holding up quite a bit better.I've always liked 3m products, from my autobody days, I don't think you could go wrong with it.

Advice on buffer pads and wax needed | Good Sam Community

SH
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
FYI...these are the instructions to apply Sea Power For Machine Use: Apply SeaPower Cleaner and Wax and buff a small portion at a time. Buff until clear and dry and when entire area is finished, wipe off excess with a clean soft cloth. At first I applied it like a normal wax and tried wiping when dry. Buffing until its clear and dry made the job much easier! I did have to change pads often.

Here are a couple of photos of the job in progress.
OSCBRADLEY
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
Thanks SH, looks great!! hope mine comes out as nice!! Hard to believe but we are in the 30's here in Houston, soon as it warms up I'm going to get out there and start cleaning.

I know Amazon sells Seapower but I would assume just about any marine store would as well?
SH
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
OSCBRADLEY wrote:
Thanks SH, looks great!! hope mine comes out as nice!! Hard to believe but we are in the 30's here in Houston, soon as it warms up I'm going to get out there and start cleaning.

I know Amazon sells Seapower but I would assume just about any marine store would as well?

I got it at the local marine store (LFS). I am sure most marine supply stores will carry it, Collinite, and/or Starbrite. They are all good products.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
Poli Glow is my method for a nice shine and much easier than any wax I have used since 2001 plus it doesn't attack dirt.

chevman
Bamaman11
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
You have different color foam applicators for different uses--polishing, compounding, scratch removal, etc. Same with different finishing products--polishes, rubbing compounds, etc.

Most of the major wax companies have products specifically designed for dual action polishers, and they don't put swirl marks in if used with the right foam pad. I use Meguiars professional products on my Bennington tritoon boat to keep it looking like chrome.

Google "auto detail suppliers" or go to AutoGeek.com for details.
OSCBRADLEY
Explorer
Dec 30, 2014
Bamaman1-
Funny you should mention AutoGeek, I sent them an email asking their advice on pads to use with the Seapower product a couple day ago.
OSCBRADLEY
Explorer
Dec 30, 2014
SH-
What type of pads did you use with Seapower?
SH
Explorer
Dec 30, 2014
OSCBRADLEY wrote:
SH-
What type of pads did you use with Seapower?

I have a small "palm" buffer so the only thing I could find were terry cloth bonnets. They seemed to work just fine. I would have preferred foam but couldn't locate any. I had six bonnets that I would use during the day so I would not have to stop and clean them. Cleaned after the days work. I took my time and finished in three "easy" days. It could be done in less time. (37 ft. 5th wheel)

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