How soon can we wax?

**Donna D.** · 06-01-2014, 07:40 PM

Has anyone on the forum asked ETI if there should be a waiting period to allow the gelcoat to outgas? Is that even a concern?

I just washed and waxed my new truck for the first time and my arms feel heavy and about 2' longer than normal... and here I'm already thinking about waxing my new 5er. Sick I tell you, I'm sick

I'll only have my 5er home about seven days before I leave for the Oregon Gathering. I'd like to get something on the gelcoat to make washing it easier after the trip.

THANKS!

KarenH · 06-01-2014, 08:10 PM

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...axed-3332.html

See post #3.

**Donna D.** · 06-01-2014, 08:18 PM

OMG Karen, I'm so flippin' excited I didn't even realize I had already asked the question! Thanks for the rescue

Y'all just wait, I'll probably ask again before July 3rd (p/u date!)

KarenH · 06-01-2014, 08:27 PM

Well, there is no rest for the weary or those in the build mode!

Vicki A. · 06-01-2014, 08:38 PM

So Donna, you're not anxious are you?!

**Donna D.** · 06-01-2014, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenH

Well, there is no rest for the weary or those in the build mode!

Ain't that the truth!

cpaharley2008 · 06-01-2014, 09:50 PM

I have always waited 6 months before waxing any new car or trailer in order to allow the finish to properly harden. Seems to have worked for me for 50 years.

Zardoz · 06-01-2014, 10:24 PM

Has anyone ever confirmed that ETI applies a gelcoat? When I asked Rease last year, I thought he said he did not use a gelcoat (but I may well be wrong).

**Donna D.** · 06-01-2014, 10:26 PM

Gelcoat is the release (after waxing the mold) it's the final finish for all molded towables.

It's not "applied" it's sprayed into the mold, then the fiberglass.

Jubal · 06-02-2014, 08:24 AM

We used Extreme Clean to prep and then applied Rejex. We are very satisfied with the results. Kudos to RVOMAHA for the suggestion.

"I have always waited 6 months before waxing any new car or trailer in order to allow the finish to properly harden. Seems to have worked for me for 50 years."
Old school advise. Modern vehicle paints and clear coats are water based.

escape artist · 06-02-2014, 08:32 AM

Hi: All... Any body used 303 Aerospace protector... and when? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

santacruzer · 06-02-2014, 08:57 AM

Recently had my Tacoma detailed, and the fellow used 303 Aerospace on the the plastic surfaces. It looks great and he seems to thinks it's far superior to ArmorAll. I just bottle myself on the strength of his use.

That would be "bought a bottle"

paulw · 06-02-2014, 08:59 AM

I did the whole trailer with Rejex this weekend - its very slippery now

.
I think I'll do the top again now that its so clean if I can do it without falling off.

Glennrose · 06-02-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: All... Any body used 303 Aerospace protector... and when? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Hi Alf, the 303 Aerospace product is what I use on our 19. As has been mentioned, I waited about 6 months before applying it for the first time. I give the trailer a good wash, then gather up a dozen or so microfibre cloths and get to work! It takes about an hour to cover the entire trailer, and I'm very happy with this product. Over the winter, in soggy Victoria, the trailer weathers wonderfully even outdoors without a cover. By the end of the application I kind of look like one of those fiddler crabs; my right arm gets very musclebound!

Cheers,
Glenn

Scruffy Varmint · 06-02-2014, 11:46 AM

I asked Tammy if our 19' was waxed before delivery. She advised yes, and recommended I enjoy it thru the summer before rewaxing this fall. I purchased the Rejex product and I'm anxious to use it after reading the great reviews.

Ron in BC · 06-02-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Gelcoat is the release (after waxing the mold) it's the final finish for all molded towables.

It's not "applied" it's sprayed into the mold, then the fiberglass.

Sorry Donna, but that's not quite the way it is.

Molds are very well waxed after being finished to a very well wet and dry sanded finish. They are waxed several times. Failure to do this step results in a destroyed mold. Sometimes PVA is also used to ensure the part releases from the mold without destroying it.

Gelcoat is basically polyester resin with fillers to give protection and that glowing surface we all love on new fg stuff.

The styrene in the gelcoat basically dissolves some of the wax. That's why a fg part comes "ready waxed". It's also why fg molds must be re-waxed on a regular basis to prevent disaster. Eventually the surface of the mold does start to deteriorate and refinishing is required.

So when you get your shiny new pride and joy it'll come with the best wax job it'll ever have

Ron

**Donna D.** · 06-02-2014, 12:41 PM

I know Ron, that's why I said the mold was waxed, then sprayed with gel coat, then the fiberglass is either sprayed in or laid up. it's not applied, like a lot of people think, AFTER the mold is released.... it isn't applied like paint.

Have you seen the pics Reace posted of a mold release failure?

Ron in BC · 06-02-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Gelcoat is the release .

Not to be a nit-picker, but I am

That was the phrase I was referring to. Gelcoat is a surfacing treatment not a release agent. Wax or PVA et al are release agents.

I don't need to see photos of other's release failures, I've had enough of my own over the years.

For me fg has been a love-hate affair from an early age.

Ron

**Donna D.** · 06-02-2014, 02:24 PM

Oh all right, you win. I knew what I meant.

Zardoz · 06-02-2014, 08:05 PM

With all this said, has anyone ever been specifically told by ETI that they do indeed utilize a gel coat finish? I ask because if not, I've read that you can spray such a finish on (long) after the FB product has been taken from the mold. Could be a nice "sprucer-upper" for an older or neglected unit.

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