How to determine material used on sidewalls of my 5th Wheel

Question

After a very very long illness I am trying to get back on the road with my 5th wheel. I purchased a new truck within the last month and now I'm focusing on getting the 5th wheel back into shape.

My question is how to determine what my side walls are made of? I want to strip off any old wax, bug guts, tree sap etc and then wax / seal / protect it with the longest lasting best protection possible.

When I think of gel coat I think of corvettes and boats. I was told that while my sidewalls are fiberglass they are not gel coat This is very confusing to me.

So bottom line is how to correctly determine material and then review the posts here on the best products to clean (prep is everything) and then protect the finish.

Thanks!

Dave

scottg · Answer

Hard to say since we can't see them but most likely they are Filon and any automotive wax/polish will work fine on them.

artguys · Answer

It's a Polyester resin and sprayed fiberglass panel with coloring agents added. It will hold up to UV and other issues very well. Adding Gel-coat is another layer that isn't needed. Live in peace and serenity.

alfredmay · Answer

Gel Coat is a smooth color layer that is sprayed into the mold first. Next comes the fiber glass. Filon mentioned by Scott is fiberglass. To tell if you just have filon..... look carefully at the walls. If you see fibers then you have filon....... no fibers and a smooth surface then it is gel coat or even could be paint.

Filon is least expensive, then gel coat then paint. Full body paint will only be on high end units.

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How to determine material used on sidewalls of my 5th Wheel

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