Removing oxidation from gelcoat

[rhingst]

What's the best product for cleaning up our 7 1/2 year old trailer? We have lots of the decals that are peeling and are thinking about removing all of them. I know there will be a different shade on the side of the trailer after we do this so we need to do the who;e trailer.
What is a good compound any of you have used for this?

[Willcamp4]

Part of the problem is that the gel coat finish on nearly all the RVs is a poorly installed product, even described as being thinned down. Unfortunately, it is never as good as you will find on a good boat. After a few years the finish will start to break down and oxidize. If exposed much to the sun, especially in a dry climate, the vinyl decals they all use have a short life.

That said, I used Meguiars to try and stay on top of the finish. I put on the polish then cover it with wax. Six months later it is ready to do again. Their is also little out their that doesn't require alot of elbow grease. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a high speed buffer. Be careful with them as they can eat through you finish on high speeds. My brother solved the problem with his front cap oxidizing by having a professional paint job done.

[jjj]

I don't if this will help but last year I used the stuff called barskeeper friend that I got at walmart. This is the stuff people were using to clean their fiberglass walls prior to using the floor wax(Red Max Pro) on there walls. I used it on the one side of my trailer that is always in the sun and likes to oxidize on me. It took off all the oxidation and then I put a good coat of wax on it. It came out pretty darn good.

[Veebyes]

There are various grades of compounds available to remove oxidation. There comes a point however where no compounding & waxing is going to restore the surface. At that point painting will be the answer. How long it will last after that depends on primarily the paint used & maintenance. Might as well spend a few extra $ on a good marine epoxy product which will last for years because the labour is the same for budget of quality product.

RV builders, in the name of saving weight & costs skimp on gelcoat thickness so be very careful. Weight is not an issue for boatbuilders & boats have to endure much harsher conditions than RVs being exposed all of the time, being exposed to salt water & not being washed off.

There is no one product does all for restoration. Neither is there an easy way to restore gelcoat short of handing over the credit card.

Mequires & 3M each have a good line of marine products for restoring & preserving gelcoat.

[heaterswa]

Might want to read this thread, it is not about removing decals but could give some ideas to clean up after they are removed.

Red Max Pro

-Bryan

[restlesswind]

You might check out this stuff. Another poster recommended it.
I will be trying it out when we get settled down for the winter,in AZ.
The website info sounds good,we'll see.

http://www.collinite.com/

[Timay]

POLI-GLOW. I have a 12 year old trailer that has a front and rear fiberglass cap...the chalking that washed down the side when using the prep was amazing! After applying the Poli-glow the shine on the trailer is amazing!

Don't know about taking the graphics off, but then you would need to buff them out to get the same color. I don't know if the poli-prep will get the fiberglass all the same...might be a good question for the manufacturer.

Tim

[Captain_Happy]

I just got thruogh removing the vinyl decals from my rig. Used a razor blade to remove the decal, and gue gone to remove the glue. Bought a product called 'Buff Magic" and with a 6" buffer working small areas at a time, and with very little Buff Magic, buffed out the whole rig. Brought back the shine. This is the second rig I've done. Alot of labor involved. And when you get though, put on a coat of wax.

[bfast54]

To Really do it right, Hire a PRO.Detailer, makes world of difference...then , its upkeep.

[Ron_Nielson]

Gelcote is what most fiberglass boats are finished with. So any marine supply will have gelcote cleaners and waxes. Also in the marine section at WM, HD, Lowes and other big box stores.

[Garry_Gayle]

Meguire's is probably the best, check out their RV and Marine products
Meguire's

[ScottG]

Give it your best shot but if you remove the graphics you will see where they were and you can only buff out the gel coat so many times.
I eventually had my front cap painted because it was just fading away and I could see material underneath. Eve though it was a little expensive at $800, it looks better than new and will hold up much better.