Hi All, As I prepare to start using my new to me camper I'm curious about the exterior clear coat? It's a 2002 Arctic Fox 990. It looks like it has dulled in areas and is really dirty. I've buffed cars before with various abrasive compounds to effectively restore luster. Is this possible for the camper? I would probably just start with a foam pad and some mechanical wax, and then maybe cut deeper with a fine-grit compound if that didn't work. Can't see myself getting into the wool pad, seems like they maybe coated these thin, not like vehicles which seem to be more forgiving. The decals on this are all faded and withered as well so I'll remove those and try and create a level of uniformity with its finish. Insight is appreciated.

I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days. It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.

Does Northwood use fiberglas or the textured plastic? I thought it was thr plastic stuff. If so you will nwver get a high shine.

northshore wrote:I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days. It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.I know what you mean, once I performed a 4-stage cut and buff on my girlfriends car for her birthday, and it took 12 hours. Loved every bit of it, lol. I come from combat sports, so my shoulders and back definitely feel it the next day. It's funny how that polisher only weighs 5-7lbs, but man that's a lot of surface area to cover.

donn0128 wrote:Does Northwood use fiberglas or the textured plastic? I thought it was thr plastic stuff. If so you will nwver get a high shine.I've read on an earlier post fiberglass, but I don't know. Someone will chime in hopefully.

northshore wrote:I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days. It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.Which compound/pad setup worked best for your lance?

Truck camper Clear Coat, can this be restored? | Good Sam Community

northshore
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.
When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days.
It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2018
Does Northwood use fiberglas or the textured plastic? I thought it was thr plastic stuff. If so you will nwver get a high shine.
presh223
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
northshore wrote:
I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.
When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days.
It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.

I know what you mean, once I performed a 4-stage cut and buff on my girlfriends car for her birthday, and it took 12 hours. Loved every bit of it, lol. I come from combat sports, so my shoulders and back definitely feel it the next day. It's funny how that polisher only weighs 5-7lbs, but man that's a lot of surface area to cover.
presh223
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Does Northwood use fiberglas or the textured plastic? I thought it was thr plastic stuff. If so you will nwver get a high shine.

I've read on an earlier post fiberglass, but I don't know. Someone will chime in hopefully.
presh223
Explorer
Oct 08, 2018
northshore wrote:
I am doing the same thing with my new to me 2002 Lance 1130, Its pretty dull and faded. I got one side just about done, but its really something I do not like doing any more.
When I was younger I could hang on to a polisher for a lot longer time than I can these days.
It is coming along slow but sure, eventually I will get the whole thing polished up.

Which compound/pad setup worked best for your lance?
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2018
Again Im pretty sure it is a texturized plastic material not fiberglas. I know for a fact my 2002 AF TT was on a wood frame.
You can test it. Simply thumping it with your finger should tell you. As a final answer call Northwood with the units serial number and ask them.
jimh406
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2018
RV Gel-gloss works really well.
presh223
Explorer
Oct 09, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Again Im pretty sure it is a texturized plastic material not fiberglas. I know for a fact my 2002 AF TT was on a wood frame.
You can test it. Simply thumping it with your finger should tell you. As a final answer call Northwood with the units serial number and ask them.

Can you elaborate on the finger test, how does that tell me anything If I don't inherently know the characteristics of the materials and how they should respond? Like your TT, it is a wood frame. If it is indeed textured plastic are you stating it would be a fruitless venture to mechanically polish, and just stick with a wash? Thanks in advance.
deltabravo
Nomad
Oct 09, 2018
presh223 wrote:
Hi All,

As I prepare to start using my new to me camper I'm curious about the exterior clear coat? It's a 2002 Arctic Fox 990.

Fiberglass (filon) sided RVs don't have a clear coat.
They will oxidize just like a fiberglass boat will, but it has to have major sun exposure for it to happen.

I have a 9 year old Arctic Fox 811 (bought November of 2009) and it still looks new on the outside.
deltabravo
Nomad
Oct 09, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
Does Northwood use fiberglas or the textured plastic? I thought it was thr plastic stuff.

They use Filon

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