Zep or Wax on new TT

[cfendya]

I don't want to start a war here but really wanting to solicit some feedback on using a wax vs Zep on a brand new TT.

It looks like there has been some great and very successful Zep stories. I've searched a lot of different forums and through them, haven't been able to find anything truly negative.

You have the purists that would never use a house hold floor product or for that fact, any thing not designed specifically for fiberglass or RV use on their TT/MH. Prior to reading the Zep stories, I'd say I definitely was in this bucket and would say it was ludicrous to go through but I'm a firm believer of thinking outside the box and doing things differently; especially if it can better the outcome of a given solution. Many problems/situations are solved this way in which we use unconventional methods to address different solutions. I see this Zep method as possibly falling in this bucket 🙂

Again, I'm definitely a purist when it comes to wax and my automobiles but I see a TT as different for a couple reasons. First, it's all fiberglass with some sort of gel coat. Car's have paint along with clear coat which require protection and restoration that a good wax and polish will provide. An automobile's paint needs to "breath". UV rays affect an automobiles paint from the time the vehicle comes off the assembly line. Fiberglass and gel coats are very different so I'm not a firm believer they must be treated exactly the same however similar considerations definitely exist (i.e. UV protection).

The Zep process is attractive to me for a number of reasons...

1.) It appears to create a "sealant" over the gel coat protecting it from road abrasions, bugs, and dirt. It also appears to virtually eliminate water spots. Wax has some of these characteristics as well but I wouldn't classify it as the same sealant like one would get from Zep. I see Zep creating almost a hard like polymer seal over the gel coat (perhaps I'm wrong in stating this).

2.) Zep is easy to put on and you don't have to worry about shade or the hot sun impacting application like you would with wax. Any good wax will indicate not applying it in direct sun. I unfortunately don't have a big enough shaded spot to park the TT in all day to spend waxing it. Wax will require some elbow grease in both application and removal. Seeing how my TT is brand new, I won't have to do the BFK process. Mostly it'll be a quick Dawn washing then moving directly to the Zep process after making sure the surface is clean and free of anything (bugs, tar, etc).

3.) I've read, and it appears that through normal maintenance, applying another coat of Zep once a year is all that is required to maintain Zep. A purist on waxing would probably agree with me that a good yearly wax cleaner followed by a thorough waxing is best when using any sort of wax. This doesn't include the other maintenance waxing one may do throughout the year.

4.) Purists will indicate Zep has zero UV protection. A key item which I would certainly side with them on. To combat this, my plan would to apply 303 every couple of months or so on top of Zep to provide the UV protection.

My TT is going to be sitting outside under the intense sun of Denver, CO. I do plan on covering it during the winter months but for the most part it will be subject to the sun.

Any comments would certainly be welcomed. I'm sure there have been many successes of both applications so mostly I'd like to see if my head is in the right place with both and to see what those think about Zep application on a new TT. Most the Zep stories I've found surround restoration vs new.

[93Cobra2771]

keymastr wrote:
Zep has not been marketed for reviving old neglected fiberglass as long as a product called PoliGlow, which is the same******in a different bottle. As Weldon has stated it will eventually fail and start to peel and/or turn yellow. The only way to remove it is either heavy sanding or scrubbing or with a nasty chemical remover that Poliglow sells for just that reason.

Try Googleing Poliglow instead of Zep and see the horror stories. If your ride is so far gone that red fiberglass looks pink/orange the stuff will make it look pretty good but for something I want to keep there is no way I would use it.

I didn't even go into the removal process for the floor finishes. Heavy abrasive brush on a floor machine, along with an alkaline (caustic) floor stripper. Good times. Spent years of my youth doing just such a thing twice a year at the local grocery store I worked at.

You can, however, apply new finish over old with varying degrees of results. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.

[Uually]

I am a fan of Protectall , that all I ever use

[westend]

cfendya wrote:
Great feedback and I definitely appreciate all the responses!

It sounds like the general consensus on a new TT is to go the wax route and I'll definitely do so. My plan now is to use Zymol which I've grown accustomed to on my automobiles. It's a cleaner wax and a quick google search shows it popular among the boat crew so it should work great on the TT.

Thanks again for all the input!!

Zymol will certainly give some protection and should make a new trailer shine like a penny. It is, however, mostly Carnauba wax and there are more durable waxes out there. I'd suggest you use a synthetic wax, maybe something like Meguiars Flagship.

[APT]

I only 303 twice a year, maybe 3x. But I live in a more norther state so UV intensity is lower than most of the country.

[dadmomh]

Awww, rats! on the 303. Something else to put on the calendar....I need a bigger calendar. But, considering we don't have any desire to have to replace decals a few years down the road, at least the one on the rear will get the 303.

Even with our trailer being under cover 24/7, the rear decal on our '07 ROO was looking pretty tired from the sun hitting it all day and the edges were brittle. A call to FR in Millersburg took care of the problem with a new one sent out...price was about $50 including shipping. Glad it wasn't lots of swirls and lettering, ugh!

[Passin_Thru]

ZEP, apply with a mop and smooth with a rag wetted in it. Keeps real well.

[cfendya]

It's too bad the horror stories are not more prevalent and easy to find. The only ones I found were those of individuals which were purists flaming folks that used it and at that, they were simply quotes which could've been made up.

Really glad I asked prior to going down the Zep path and grateful for all the honesty!!

[keymastr]

Zep has not been marketed for reviving old neglected fiberglass as long as a product called PoliGlow, which is the same******in a different bottle. As Weldon has stated it will eventually fail and start to peel and/or turn yellow. The only way to remove it is either heavy sanding or scrubbing or with a nasty chemical remover that Poliglow sells for just that reason.

Try Googleing Poliglow instead of Zep and see the horror stories. If your ride is so far gone that red fiberglass looks pink/orange the stuff will make it look pretty good but for something I want to keep there is no way I would use it.

[Terryallan]

You also need to know that not only do cars have clear coat on them. so does your fiberglass RV. It has a layer of clear coat over the gelcoat.

[Weldon]

I did the Zep process and after a while it started to peel. I tried to remove as much as possible last year and did get most off but not all. Started applying Nufinish the other day and I still see remnants of the old Zep. Just not for me.

[cfendya]

gunner65 wrote:
Great another project to the list. Thanks for that....Seriously looks like a promising outcome to my dull 2006 KZ 2809.

If you're looking at the Zep process, many have had huge success with it! Good luck with your new project 😉

My new TT shows up Fri so my weekend will be putting a good coat of wax all over it!!

[gunner65]

Great another project to the list. Thanks for that....Seriously looks like a promising outcome to my dull 2006 KZ 2809.

[BubbaChris]

Some of the newer non-wax products meant for RV's and cars are as simple as "trigger spray on, wipe off excess." With the caveat being it should be done in the shade.

The Maguiars Ultimate Quick Wax I used on my black truck is doing very, very well so far. The Thetford RV Protectant I applied in the sun is showing wipe marks (via dust collection), but still beads pretty well.

[cfendya]

Dadmomh - You bring up an excellent point about the warranty. If nothing else, this would be reason enough not to do it with a new TT. Perhaps after and in the circumstances which others have used it but as it stands, I'm going the wax route 😉

I just read the back of my 303 bottle and it states "reapply every 3-5 weeks for maximum UV protection".