Red Winnebago gel coat oxidation

[likesadvice]

I own a bright red Winnebago TT with gel coat finish. Despite waxing yearly and covering in the off season, it's finish has dulled considerably with splotchy oxidation. Last fall I made some headway by using my Dewalt orbital with wool pads and Meguiars 49 oxidation remover followed by Meguiars 56 Pure Wax. When I uncovered last week, I'd lost most of last year's improvement? If anyone has any advice, I will certainly appreciate it.

[LarryJM]

likesadvice wrote:
I own a bright red Winnebago TT with gel coat finish. Despite waxing yearly and covering in the off season, it's finish has dulled considerably with splotchy oxidation. Last fall I made some headway by using my Dewalt orbital with wool pads and Meguiars 49 oxidation remover followed by Meguiars 56 Pure Wax. When I uncovered last week, I'd lost most of last year's improvement? If anyone has any advice, I will certainly appreciate it.

Personally I like Meguiars pro polishing compound (205) using either a specific "correction" foam pad or something like Meguiars micro fiber cutting pad. Finally I recommend using a good polymer/sealant like Meguiars Marine wax and not a carnauba based wax which is great for shine, put poor for protection/longevity.

Larry

[beemerphile1]

Paint is the ultimate solution. Could I suggest white? Red always fades, clothing, paint, gelcoat, it fades.

[ItsyRV]

Just remember, a heavy compound could just be providing a quick appearance satisfaction while permanently damaging the finish.

[likesadvice]

Heavy duty rubbing compound is doing an awesome job!

[soren]

smiggleburger wrote:
You got everything right except the tool. Get yourself a variable speed polisher/sander (non-orbital) from Harbor Freight and run it at its lowest speed. Make sure to keep the tool moving and you will be fine. I had the same oxidation issue. Mine looks almost new again.

I'm three for three, when it comes to electric tools from Harbor Freight that were returned after a day or two, as they were unusable garbage. I'm about forty years into playing with power tools, everything from Fein and Hilti to Wen and Roybi, so I've got a bit of time spent with the whole spectrum of quality. HF stuff is well below the cheapest of homeowner grade stuff from just about anybody else I've ever used. A HF 1/2" drill that gets too hot to touch while being used lightly for drilling in softwood. The polisher you mention that randomly slows or even stops while being used. A disc sanded that would inexplicably speed up, and violently throw velcro backed discs in all directions. No, I'm done wasting my time on that ****.

[likesadvice]

Thanks, Grit dog. I'll try a heavier compound and see if it cuts the oxidation.

[Grit_dog]

While gel is tougher than paint, it also oxidizes quicker than paint, in general.
Not knowing exactly how bad it was or how agressively you got after it, it appears Meguiars 49 is finer (not coarser) than med or heavy cut rubbing compound since it doesn't require polish afterwards.

Also orbital polishers don't cut as hard as rotary. Use a rotary polisher. Less effort and more results and gelcoat is thick compared to paint so less risk of burning through it.

Do a little more research but likely you need heavy cut compound then polish.
Then do your best to keep it out of sun for prolonged periods, like cover it if it's going to sit unused for months. And good wax.
It's a process and that's why there are far fewer dark colored gelcoat RVs and boats than white or light colored.
I have an all black boat. Bought it only 3 years old and the transom that was exposed where it sat on a lift at lake Mead was absolutely cooked in just 3 summers.

[likesadvice]

Thanks, for the replies. Maybe, I need a compound that is more abrasive.?

[smiggleburger]

You got everything right except the tool. Get yourself a variable speed polisher/sander (non-orbital) from Harbor Freight and run it at its lowest speed. Make sure to keep the tool moving and you will be fine. I had the same oxidation issue. Mine looks almost new again.

[ItsyRV]

No easy answer and you may need a paint specialist to look at the unit to see exactly what is the issue.

There could be some form of reaction between the cover and the finish. More common when the covers are treated or washed with detergents and not completely rinsed. This could be the reason for spotty oxidization.

It could also be from certain bug and spot removers were used and not completely rinsed from the surface before coming in contact with a cover that touches the surface fro extended periods.

It could be the unit's surface was scoured by a compound or machine use that caused physical surface damage that the wax is not able to protect.

And, it could be a problem with the paint itself, akin to when you see those cars with badly faded and worn surfaces despite being taken care of.

Many possibilities, so a pro may be needed to physically inspect the surface.

[Lwiddis]

My 2015 is covered when not in use and the fiberglass is great....but it’s white. Wanted a blue one but was worried about your issue.