Aerospace 303 vs Poliglow

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by msweet

Greg - what is SOI?

I want to restore the gelcoat on our trailer roof before I get a solar panel installed. We have lots of chalking and oxidation and black dots all over the roof.

I still need to figure out the best product to use to wash the trailer to remove the oxidation, bugs, dirt, etc. I also need to pick up some polishing and buffing pads for the polisher. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry, Scamp language.
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I personally, use the 3M product with a Ryobi orbital polisher if polishing is needed and then Meguiars Premium Marine applied by hand

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by fudge_brownie

Eric, you can buy the 303 in 55 gallon drums. At that point you can choose to paint the entire trailer with a paint roller or use a tank sprayer to cover those areas you choose.

Paul,
We get us 55 gallons of 303 , a turf sprayer with a wand and take it to rallies. We contact the cheerleader coach from the local high school, spray down a trailer and let the kids polish it off. Owner pays us, we take a beer cut, then we pay the kids What could go wrong?
Just kidding.
We use Rejex once a year, does a nice job. Our Escape is in the building when not on the road so that helps a lot. Bugs come off nice, once wet down, as Rita shines the Escape up before trailer tours.
Refining the screen room today before Thompson for bug proofing.
The Mississippi ought to be running pretty good by next weekend with the 8, 10, and yes 12 inch rains in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota the last couple of days.
Our main river here, Cedar, comes in well below Thompson, but is impacting Eastern Iowa big time.
Dave

[msweet]

Originally Posted by Greg A

Sorry, Scamp language.
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[thoer]

I've got a gallon of 303 and 2 backpack sprayers - I think we're ready to go into business Dave and Paul.

[msweet]

Originally Posted by Greg A

I personally, use the 3M product with a Ryobi orbital polisher if polishing is needed and then Meguiars Premium Marine applied by hand

What do you do with the decals? Tape them off or polish them at the same time?



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[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by msweet

What do you do with the decals? Tape them off or polish them at the same time?



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If you're using 303, or even some waxes, you'll want to apply it especially on the decals to prevent fading. Just be a bit more gentle when going over the decal portion, or do it by hand instead of a machine.

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[msweet]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

If you're using 303, or even some waxes, you'll want to apply it especially on the decals to prevent fading. Just be a bit more gentle when going over the decal portion, or do it by hand instead of a machine.

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I am assuming that I wouldn't use the 3M Marine Restorer on the decals then because it has an abrasive?

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[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by msweet

I am assuming that I wouldn't use the 3M Marine Restorer on the decals then because it has an abrasive?

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Correct. The colored portion of the film might wear off. I'd recommend hand application and buffing on the striped portions.

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[Bobbie54]

I used Poliglow on my old Campster and it made the very old, worn gelcoat look new. It should be topcoated every year but as I haven't done that on a regular basis right now it is looking a little tattered, but it easily removes with their cleaner if you want to start fresh. (I'm going to try coating over it first.) You have to put on about 6 coats to start with but they dry in about 90 seconds so it is easy to do. I should do that...if I do I'll take some before and after pics.

But you shouldn't have an Escape with any near the wear on the gelcoat that a 1970 Campster has.

[Greg A]

I personally don't recommend Poliglow or anything in that family that frequents fiberglass sites. It's basically floorwax and if you ever have one go "yellow" on you it will be a mess on your hands. Ask me how I know....
Just a good modern RV wax/polymer product applied once to twice a year is all you need on these trailers. The 3M restorer does a great job on removing chalk, etc with the orbital polisher if needed.

[gbaglo]

And, I second that notion. Use a product that R&D designed for the purpose.
Coca Cola will eventually remove Poliglow, if you must.

[SFDavis50]

The chemistry of gelcoats has improved quite a bit since the 1970's and the technology has been driven by the boat industry. Thirty knots thru salt water and years of sitting in the ocean followed by occasionally scrubbing off the scum is a lot harder on a gelcoat finish than anything a travel trailer is going to get. I would follow the advice of the upscale marine industry and use the cleaners and waxes they recommend. All are good.
Older gelcoat, especially if ignored for many years becomes very porous and mold, lichen and other things can undermine it. A good scrubbing to get the chalky layer off and a boat polish will fill the pores and prevent further damage.
I also don't recommend floor polish as it is formulated for a much different purpose and removing it with a big floor buffer is easier to do.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

The chemistry of gelcoats has improved quite a bit since the 1970's and the technology has been driven by the boat industry. Thirty knots thru salt water and years of sitting in the ocean followed by occasionally scrubbing off the scum is a lot harder on a gelcoat finish than anything a travel trailer is going to get. I would follow the advice of the upscale marine industry and use the cleaners and waxes they recommend. All are good. .....

Here in coastal Ventura County, we asked around among sailing friends. We now use West Marine "Pure Oceans Boat Soap", followed by hand-applied Aero 303. It doesn't take too long.
I also apply Aero 303 to the front of the trailer, the wheel wells, and the leading edges of the awning arms before hitting the road. That makes bug and road grime removal very easy.

[float5]

We use 303 Aerospace but no soap lately. Doesn't seem to need it but I might like to try that to see the difference. On any bad spots we use a bug and tar remover. Maybe the soap could be substituted.

[Greggo]

I posted before that a couple old sailors told me about a spray product called "BTS" (Bow to Stern).

Update: after using it for several years on the shell and Armor-all UV gel on the graphics, seeing is believing. Although stored indoors, my 19 looked as good as new as it headed off into the sunset a couple months ago. Apply wet and let it dry over a couple days then buff with a rag.

I'm staying with BTS and Armor-all gel on my 21. Available on Amazon.

G

[gbaglo]

Eight years stored outside with only a couple good wax jobs a year. Also wash with Simonize Wash 'n Wax. Color variation is just the lighting on trailer.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Eight years stored outside with only a couple good wax jobs a year. Also wash with Simonize Wash 'n Wax. Color variation is just the lighting on trailer.

Glenn, your up north on the coast, how do you keep the green stuff from growing on it?

Greg

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Glenn, your up north on the coast, how do you keep the green stuff from growing on it?

Greg

Just wash it from time to time with Simonize Wash 'n' Wax.
Of course, my graphics are green.

[skiman]

Originally Posted by Greggo

I posted before that a couple old sailors told me about a spray product called "BTS" (Bow to Stern).

Update: after using it for several years on the shell and Armor-all UV gel on the graphics, seeing is believing. Although stored indoors, my 19 looked as good as new as it headed off into the sunset a couple months ago. Apply wet and let it dry over a couple days then buff with a rag.

I'm staying with BTS and Armor-all gel on my 21. Available on Amazon.

G

I use the BTS too. Why the separate stuff on the graphics?

[Greggo]

I used the gel on my vinyl hot tub cover. After 5 years of sitting in the sun all day, it still looks great so the thinking is vinyl fades before fiberglass so why not try it. I liked the results and kept using it.

Greg