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Old 09-17-2014, 04:06 PM   #1
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Waxed my New 5.0 TA

Waxed my new 5.0 TA

Bought a Makita 7" power buffer, and a 3M blue applicator head, and 3M buffer bonnet.

Used 3M Marine liquid polish. Bottle size is 500 ml, and I used slightly more than one bottle for the whole trailer.

Each side took slightly less then 2 hours- applying the polish, letting it dry and buffing it off. This includes the roof- which I stood on a ladder to access. I did not lean the ladder on the roof, nor stand on the roof.

I used small sponges to apply wax around the various fittings, and soft polyester/cotton clothes to buff the wax off.

There is a lot of ladder time. I reduced this a wee-bit by lowering the front of the fifth wheel using the twin power jacks- made the trailer kneel down, so to speak.

Waxing is still a job I'd rather skip but the combination of tools and wax, made it seem manageable.

--------------------
We've owned the trailer since June 27th, and gone on 5 trips, spending 23 nights in the unit. It has performed well.
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Old 09-17-2014, 05:54 PM   #2
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Just got the smashed bugs washed off front of ET-19 after 8 day trip. There were more than a few. Went to super market but refused to pay $8bucks for bug remover. Got it done with hot water, v. mild abrasive sponge, and gentile Mister Clean's elbow grease. Ladder Lesson Learned: (I know it,) I should have laid wax on that front area before the trip, so them bugs could slide off easier.

Every egg seen on the trip -except one- looked depressingly oxidized, badly in need of a wax job, except for one. That lone Escape. 8)
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Old 09-17-2014, 06:18 PM   #3
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With our 6700 mile trip back from Chilliwack, that was a daily chore! I believe that by the time we got home, I had waxed the front about 4 times! I've waxed the rest of the trailer 2 times so far. About due again as it's getting those infamous black streaks. Luckily, I look at washing/waxing as a form of entertainment/exercise. (kind of like the Escape projects that others do)
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Old 09-17-2014, 06:53 PM   #4
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I just watched part of a show called "Flippin' RVs" on TV... They put a $2500 polish job on a vintage Airsteam.
Norma says she's glad we have an Escape - me too! I have a couple coats of Rejex on it & bugs slide off pretty well.
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Old 09-17-2014, 08:24 PM   #5
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tried googling "best wax" in various ways. Found so many contradictory results, but ultimately went with Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax. Rushed on a thin coat on the roof last night in the dark before the rains came. Very pleased this am with the beading all over the roof.
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Old 09-17-2014, 10:52 PM   #6
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A boat maker once told me to use StarBrite Marine Polish. I've used it on anything fiberglass for many years now. It'd have to be a super duper wax to get me to change.
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Old 09-18-2014, 05:55 AM   #7
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A boat maker once told me to use StarBrite Marine Polish. I've used it on anything fiberglass for many years now. It'd have to be a super duper wax to get me to change.
I also went with StarBrite Marine Polish. When I read the reviews on Amazon, especially those of the boaters, I felt that it was the one for me. If it can handle marine conditions (salt water, and intense UV), then it's got to be good with our less intense environment. While my wife would prepare the inside of the trailer for travel in the morning, I would take care of the bugs on the front. If she still wasn't ready, then some more Polish. It avoided my asking: "are you done in there yet?" Much better (for the marriage) to keep busy than push my "copilot" to hurry up.
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Old 09-18-2014, 06:42 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulw View Post
I just watched part of a show called "Flippin' RVs" on TV... They put a $2500 polish job on a vintage Airsteam.
Norma says she's glad we have an Escape - me too! I have a couple coats of Rejex on it & bugs slide off pretty well.
I have a bottle of Rejex ready to go onto Ten Forward, but it's been too flippin' hot to put it on!
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Old 01-13-2015, 05:16 PM   #9
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I have a bottle of Rejex ready to go onto Ten Forward, but it's been too flippin' hot to put it on!
try new finish - works great, easy to apply in full sun, do it once a year and trailer stays nice and shiny, no dulling.
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Old 01-13-2015, 05:24 PM   #10
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Seems to me that I actually read the instructions for Nu Finish and that they don't want you to apply it over wax. I'm wondering about that since I use Simoniz Wash 'n' Wax. Have you any knowledge?
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Old 01-13-2015, 06:08 PM   #11
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Seems to me that I actually read the instructions for Nu Finish and that they don't want you to apply it over wax. I'm wondering about that since I use Simoniz Wash 'n' Wax. Have you any knowledge?
Probably true Glenn, since NuFinish isn't a wax but a polymer coating. Easy fix though if you want to remove the wax -- just wash the trailer with regular Dawn.
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Old 01-14-2015, 05:02 PM   #12
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Seems to me that I actually read the instructions for Nu Finish and that they don't want you to apply it over wax. I'm wondering about that since I use Simoniz Wash 'n' Wax. Have you any knowledge?
I have been using nu finish for years, on all our cars and trucks and the old 5.0..
Have never had any issue with it going over wax, but then I suppose when you are ready to apply it, most of the wax would have been gone by then. We sold the old 5.0 4 years later and honestly it looked just like new when sold.

Ken and Diana
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Old 01-14-2015, 06:08 PM   #13
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I've had great luck with NuFinish. I've used it for years on cars and it seems to last quite well. I just bought some of their Wash product too, but haven't tried it yet.
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Old 03-29-2015, 09:27 AM   #14
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How often should trailer be waxed? We just purchased our 15' last November and have used it twice since picking up at ETI. I've washed it at a coin-op car wash and once at a semi truck car wash and selected wax option. Is this a bad practice? Should I only wax by hand? And how often? Do I treat chrome more frequently than the rest of trailer to avoid pitting?
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Old 03-29-2015, 02:57 PM   #15
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I've done mine by hand (used a buffer). While I did it twice last year I'll shoot for once and see how it goes with the 5.0TA. If I had a 15 I'd try for twice but be okay with once. Is there chrome on your trailer?
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Old 03-29-2015, 04:48 PM   #16
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I think a min of once per yr shud be good using nu finish.

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Old 03-29-2015, 11:11 PM   #17
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I've done mine by hand (used a buffer). While I did it twice last year I'll shoot for once and see how it goes with the 5.0TA. If I had a 15 I'd try for twice but be okay with once. Is there chrome on your trailer?
Actually I don't think it does. When I saw someone else's post regarding chrome, I thought well maybe there's a chrome strip but on second thought, no I don't think it does. I will continue to wash it in a coin-op after each use but will wax it by hand at least once a year. Thanks for the advice, everyone!
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Old 03-29-2015, 11:19 PM   #18
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The door hinges are pretty shiney...
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Old 03-30-2015, 12:27 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Jen & Angie View Post
How often should trailer be waxed? We just purchased our 15' last November and have used it twice since picking up at ETI. I've washed it at a coin-op car wash and once at a semi truck car wash and selected wax option. Is this a bad practice? Should I only wax by hand? And how often? Do I treat chrome more frequently than the rest of trailer to avoid pitting?
Polish the chrome door hinges with a good chrome polish ( I use Mother's but there are many others) to prevent pitting. Pitting is caused by oxidation and a good chrome polish both removes oxidation and prevents/retards its occurrence. I don't recommend wax or other sealants on chrome. They don't hurt it, but they don't make it shine as well either.
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Old 03-30-2015, 04:10 AM   #20
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The door hinges are pretty shiney...
Right you are! Now I have something to do if it warms up today.
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