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Old 05-11-2018, 12:56 PM   #1
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Washing an older trailer...

Mine is a 2011 and due to unforeseen circumstances, spent about Feb-now outside in the wind and rain and a very tiny amount of sun. Looks dull, probably some oxidation on the gel coat. No visible wax. Suggestions? I'd like to clean it up and then wax it. It isn't very dirty, just looks dull. I read the long thread on washing but most is addressed toward a newer gel coat.

I have lots of experience with a very old gel coat in my 1970 Campster but this isn't anywhere near that old or thin.
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Old 05-11-2018, 01:07 PM   #2
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It's a common problem with boats. They look new and great for those first few years, some people aren't too pro-active with annual cleaning and waxing and then one day realize that it's not new and shiny anymore. Some folks find that using a cleaner like Jiff works like magic. All the dullness and grime disappears almost effortlessly. But it's poison for the gelcoat. Some areas may not be very thick, it's hard to tell. Once the gelcoat becomes very thin it opens up a whole new problem area.

So, my view is, be very careful not to use anything abrasive. That type of shortcut has a price.

Ron
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Old 05-11-2018, 01:09 PM   #3
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3M product for light oxidation.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...3087021&rt=rud
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Old 05-11-2018, 01:37 PM   #4
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I forgot I had Meguiar's for the rowboat. Similar? Better, worse?
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Old 05-11-2018, 04:17 PM   #5
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I have used Maguires #50 cleaner was on my 2010 since it was new...wax it top to bottom once a year...gelcoat still looks like new...no yellowing.
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Old 05-11-2018, 04:37 PM   #6
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Our Casita ( now sold !) was very dull and chalky. I tried various things: buffing, polishing, etc,...but landed on PolyGlow. It's a polymer "sealant", which seals in whatever is there, so there's a TON of prep, including removing all remnants of prior wax, silicone, etc. to get it to stick correctly. It's pretty much a clearcoat. I liked it. It made the old bird look like new but it is a commitment to switch to it.
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Old 05-11-2018, 05:50 PM   #7
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I used PolyGlo on the Campster- great stuff. But I don't think that's what is needed here (yet!)
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