How many of you use this stuff? We were getting that chalky finish with faded and peeling graphics. I was waxing it with Meguiars--trying to avoid the graphics and spray them with 303 Protectant instead. I spray the dirt off after almost every trip too. We've only had it 15 months--I hated to see it get "old looking" under my care. Replant just mentioned Lowes Red Max Pro and I read the links. Wow! Why not take the chance that the fiberglass would be looking shiny and new?
It worked! Here are a few pics.
The graphics bleed out color when washed.
And they were peeling up at the edges. I took a flat razor blade holder and trimmed off the peeling edges--
This is after the trimming. They are a bit ragged in places, but at least no longer peeling.
I used my little power sprayer with TSP in it and scrubbed with Bar Keeper's Friend as recommended.
This is the tire cover with one side is just washed with a sponge and TSP, the other is washed with a green scrubbie and Bar Keeper's Friend. I also used the white scrubbie (1000 grit sandpaper grade and much more expensive) for scratches--it did wonders even on the cab metal but for most of the job I used the cheap green stuff. I completely wore out 4 half sheets!
This is a "before" of the cleaned passenger side.
Red Max Pro Step 3 ready to apply.
Finished! It took me about 10 hours to do the job.
Plus I washed and waxed the cab. But by this time I was losing daylight so it is harder to see the shine.
I'm really pleased with the results. The recommendation is a new coat every year--that is a lot longer time period than waxing.
This was a good project for the start of a great season. I think it was worth the effort!
Looks good, Thats something thats on my "to do list" right after the install new floor, intall new captian chairs, install new insert trim, remove and repaint decals, get gen running and etc (you get the picture). But for a $20 investment and a days worth of work you can't beat the results.
JKaz
Wow. Looks great. Mine is yellowed slightly. Does the Bar Keepers friend take the yellowing out of the fiberglass along with the stains or do I need something else.
I used a microfiber cloth to apply--that is a great photo of the Adventurer that shows the difference the Red Max makes. Your graphics are the same colors as mine--did they bleed too?
I also did 4 coats and no buffing. By the time I finished a side it was dry enough to go back and apply another coat. Dried almost instantly out here with our warm dry air and did not streak. Needs to be applied in the shade and squeeze the liquid out of the applicator to minimize the drips. I tried scrubbing one drip out with the white scrubbie and recoating and it worked OK, but I could still see the drip. It was almost impossible to get off of the hood where I dripped it, so I would recommend covering that when waxing the underside of the cab.
The Bar Keeper's Friend does not have bleach in it so it may not help with yellowing, but it is only $2 for a can so not a big investment to try. Let us know if it works.
Everything is available at Lowes for this job, I tried the dollar store first but they didn't have the Bar Keepers Friend. The gloves I got there leaked and my hands are currently peeling wax. I also bought a new light-colored microfiber cloth there. The wax will transfer the dye from a new cloth that has not had the color washed out so I used the gray and didn't have a problem.
I'd like to see more photos of shiny RVs!
My '88 Jamboree is extremely oxidized and dull/chalky. I've tried every "fiberglass restorer", oxidiation remover, wax, polish, etc. product on the market. Spent lotsa $$$ and countless hours of hard labor, with just so-so results that lasted a month at best. I'm going to give this a try. In every thread I've seen on Red Max Pro, both here and on other forums, the results have been great, and long lasting as well. I'll take before/during/after pics.
I wonder though, my cab is faded and dull just as bad as the fiberglass....would Red Max Pro work on the cab as well, or just on fiberglass? I'm trying to think of a logical reason why it won't do the same thing on painted metal as on fiberglass/gelcoat, and I can't really come up with one. Any one actually try it?
We don't stop playing because we grow old...We grow old because we stop playing!