Forum Discussion

host_name_dave's avatar
host_name_dave
Explorer
Jul 11, 2019

gelcoat sun damaged after 1.5 years. yay winnebago :-(

hello,
I was excited to get my 2017 winnie drop in gorgeous blue. figured if I kept it clean, applied whatever protective stuff, it would last forever. not. the fenders are a shiny silver, so the sun damaged a semi circle above them. noticed the fade a bit, but too inexperienced to jump all over it, so I cleaned the awning with an rv awning cleaner. this cleaner ran into where the coating burned off and streaked/oxidized it horribly. no soap would take it off. tried clay bar. nothing. polishing compound worked on a tiny test area to an extent...


so whats the deal with this space age gel coat? seems pretty delicate to me. guess Ill buy a cover or get covered storage. 20+ years with aluminum coaches never a problem 1.5 with the expensive gel coat? disaster. any secrets of the trade out there? im considering a boat shop, just let them do their magic. anyway, any tips would be appreciated.

thanks...
nrg~~~~
Seeking Advice
  • Chum_lee's avatar
    Chum_lee
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2019
    "I'm considering a boat shop, just let them do their magic. anyway, any tips would be appreciated."

    I think you answered your own question. Just go to a boat shop that regularly does fiberglass repairs in house rather than sending it out. Be prepared for some sticker shock. What does Winnebago say, if anything? A call might be worth your while. IMO, a little more durability could be expected.

    Chum lee
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jul 15, 2019
    It'll probably buff and polish out.
    Hard to beleive an awning cleaner or something that is designed to clean vinyl/fabric damaged the gel, even if it was a bit oxidized.

    RE oxidation? It's a semi constant effort to keep gelcoat from oxidizing. It has it's advantages over urethane paint, but you have to keep up with it, if it's exposed constantly to UV light.

    Example, bought a 3 year old boat. Had been slipped for 2 summers only and the transom, where exposed (black gel coat), was very oxidized already. And the quality of it was assuredly better then what goes into an average RV.
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2019
    We have the same problem with our dark grey Keystone 5th wheel, on the side that faces south, so this is not an issue with just Winnebagos. It is what it is when you buy a darker color trailer then park it outside. We're building an outbuilding right now to store it in, then we are going to clean it with a bunch of specialty products designed for this. Figure it's worth a shot, can't look much worse than it does now.

    Next trailer will be white.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2019
    Maybe that's why Winnebago quit offering those bright/extreme colors and has gone back to the basics; white, grey, beige.
  • BillyBob_Jim's avatar
    BillyBob_Jim
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2019
    Seen a red Micro Minnie a few years old that looked hideous from sun damage or oxidation. No telling the level of maintenance done as I did not talk to the people, but it looked bad.
  • IB853347201's avatar
    IB853347201
    Nomad
    Jul 12, 2019
    host_name_dave wrote:
    so I cleaned the awning with an rv awning cleaner. this cleaner ran into where the coating burned off and streaked/oxidized it horribly. no soap would take it off. tried clay bar. nothing. polishing compound worked on a tiny test area to an extent...

    We never use those special "RV cleaners". From black streak removers to awning cleaners, most are too harsh and often discolor or oxidize the area. Would suggest you stick to a gentle cleanser like tide powder or dish soap especially washing gel coat of any color.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jul 12, 2019
    host_name_dave wrote:

    so whats the deal with this space age gel coat? seems pretty delicate to me. guess Ill buy a cover or get covered storage. 20+ years with aluminum coaches never a problem 1.5 with the expensive gel coat? disaster. any secrets of the trade out there? im considering a boat shop, just let them do their magic. anyway, any tips would be appreciated.

    thanks...
    nrg~~~~


    Space age gel coat is basically a product that has been around for 60yr.

    There is a reason 95% of fiberglass boats are white. It's a pain to keep dark gelcoat looking good.

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