Hi My 2003 5/th wheel gel coat on the two long sides is blotchy, looks like it's damp from the morning dew. The front cap and rear does not have that look. I have always keep it polished at lease a couple of times a year. Does any one know what I can do, to bring it back to ALMOST new.
Gray Fox
Gray Fox
2005 F350 4x4 Diesel Lariat
2003 HHII LS RLBG Always keep moving so you don't seize up.
I suspect is has been from the polish you have used. If it has penetrated the Gel Coat you may not be able to correct it. There is paint made for Gel Coat but that would be a very involved process. The paint is very volatile and would require professional application.
3M makes products to restore Gel Coats but I suspect the Gel layer is very thin on a trailer. If the stains are very deep you may not be able to do what they do on boats. The Gel Coat on my boat is about 1/8 an inch deep.
A 2 step process. 3M cleaner wax then a good sealer such as Meguires Protectant both buffed with a good machine such as a Makita buffer. It is work, but the results are well worth the effort.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
This was posted recently by one of the service people at Nuwa on the Nuwa Owner's Forum
This is a letter that I got from Mark at crane composites, this applies to the hi-gloss gel coat only.
Subject: polishing document
REMOVING DULLNESS FROM OXIDIZED FIBERGLASS PANELS
Removing the dullness from the exterior of your RV is not as hard as you may have been told. I have worked with this product for 20+ years and will try to give you a brief overview of the best products and techniques we have found.
To begin you will need an automotive type variable speed polisher. Here is a link to the Dewalt tool that we use. isplay/productId/DW847/manufacturer/Dewalt/finish/NA&CS_010=296458&CS_003=&source=shopping">High Speed Polisher
You will also need the cutting/buffing pads in this link. These pads are washable and re-usable. Wash in warm water and do not use fabric softener. You can Dry in a dryer Cutting Pads
You will need the pads in the next link for polishing after you buff the oxidized area. They are made of foam and washable also. Do not dry, just spin dry in washer. Polishing pads
You will also need this velcro backing pad for use with the foam polishing pad Velcro Backing pad
For a buffing compound we use Buffing Compound
This is a very agressive compound and does a great job in this application.
To begin you need to attach one of the cutting pads to your polisher. Start with a section about 2 feet square and apply from the compound squeze bottle a generous amount of compound. Set the speed on your polisher to about 1800 rpms. Begin buffing with a medium to heavy amount of pressure keep the pad flat on the surface and move the polisher slowly. You want the polisher to build up some heat in the pad to work its best. DO NOT TIP THE POLISHER UP ON EDGE as this will cause heavier swirl marks that will be difficult to remove . Press hard enough on the polisher so that it slows down the speed of the buffer. There is PLENTY OF GEL COAT ON THESE WALLS SO YOU DO NOT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT BUFFING THROUGH LIKE YOU WOULD ON A CAR.
As your compound drys up and goes away on the surface, lighten up on your pressure and let the buffer turn a little faster to polish. Wipe off what is left of the compound and inspect the area. If the surface is not warm to the touch........you need to try again with a little more pressure and move the polisher a little slower.
After you have the area done that you want re-newed Change to the velcro backer pad on your polisher. Place one of the foam pads on the polisher and apply a generous amount of the Swirl remover/polish. Again keep the toool flat on the surface and keep it moving at a slow speed. I ususlly do a section in horizontal lines and then go back in vertical passes. Use light to medium pressure on the polisher and polish until the material starts to dry up. After you polish the side a coat of wax will finish the job.
A pack of microfiber rags will make the cleanup job much easier. You can get them at sams club or wal-mart. Hope this helps you. I have done many older trailers that really looked bad and made them look like new in a matter of 8-10 hours a side.
Greg
Full-timing and soon to be retired US Navy Master Chief
Enjoying Champagne on the King Ranch!
'06 King Ranch F-350 Dually Diesel 4x4 Long Bed Crew Cab w/ Tow Boss
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