Does waxing improve longevity or is it just for looks?

[cpaharley2008]

I look at my Escape as I would with any other vehicle I own! Washing and routine waxing helps preserve it's appearance, be an automobile or a trailer.

[Kingfish]

Having owned fiberglass boats that have lived long lives in the water, I have seen that the fiberglass can degrade and soak up water if not protected by bottom paint.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Kingfish

Having owned fiberglass boats that have lived long lives in the water, I have seen that the fiberglass can degrade and soak up water if not protected by bottom paint.

Unfortunately it's not the bottom paint that prevents osmosis and blisters etc. The osmosis and blisters may be caused by several factors including the type of gelcoat and lingering solvents.

Now days the gelcoats are much more water resistant and folks routinely use an epoxy sealer or barrier coat to prevent osmosis.

It's unlikely that osmotic blisters would form in a trailer shell as it isn't subjected to the water pressure of being immersed.

Ron

[Kingfish]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Unfortunately it's not the bottom paint that prevents osmosis and blisters etc. The osmosis and blisters may be caused by several factors including the type of gelcoat and lingering solvents.

Now days the gelcoats are much more water resistant and folks routinely use an epoxy sealer or barrier coat to prevent osmosis.

It's unlikely that osmotic blisters would form in a trailer shell as it isn't subjected to the water pressure of being immersed.

Ron

I'm not qualified to argue about that. Just trying to make the point that fiberglass isn't as invincible and permanent as many believe.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by Perry Butler

Zep floor wax dries in less than 30 minutes at 75F, or about the time it takes me to go around the camper.

If you had to reapply as often as 1-2 years and stored inside I'd say your use of PolyGlo wasn't as good as our current Zep. Our campers sit outside 24/7/365.

Zep and PolyGlo are basically the same products, but with different advertising. I've used both, and aside from price, really didn't see a difference.

Enjoy,

Perry

what zep product are you using? I see they have a high traffic polish used on no wax floors, but I can't find a plain floor wax.

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

what zep product are you using? I see they have a high traffic polish used on no wax floors, but I can't find a plain floor wax.

This is the other polish product they have.
I’ve been cleaning and prepping, you want the surface to be as blemish free as possible. The polish seems to magnify everything that you missed.
In between coats when you see some small particle has fallen onto the surface and dried underneath the previous coat just remove it and seal right over the spot.

Sure would’ve been easier if I’d gotten right on it after bringing it home.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

what zep product are you using? I see they have a high traffic polish used on no wax floors, but I can't find a plain floor wax.

My gallon of Zep Floor Wax is at least 8 years old. Apparently they’ve changed the name to Zep High Traffic Floor Polish. That’s probably just the advertising department wanting a better sounding name.

When I last waxed our 5.0 two coats of Zep Floor Wax (now High Traffic Floor Polish) were applied and 1 coat of Zep Wet Look (three coats up front though).

Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo

I’ve been cleaning and prepping, you want the surface to be as blemish free as possible. The polish seems to magnify everything that you missed.
In between coats when you see some small particle has fallen onto the surface and dried underneath the previous coat just remove it and seal right over the spot.

Sure would’ve been easier if I’d gotten right on it after bringing it home.

I waited three years before applying.

You need to do a perfect job of cleaning and prepping or else you’ll look at that waxed-over piece of dirt until you strip and reapply. The cleaning and prepping took longer to complete than applying Zep wax. I apply at 70-75 F and it was always dry before applying the next coat.

Enjoy,

Perry



Enjoy,

Perry

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by jontom

I would imagine that the clear coat protection over the paint is much like the automotive industry standard....

there is no clear coat or paint on an Escape trailer, they are molded fiberglass with a gelcoat, which is a thick thermo-setting epoxy or polyester resin, that you polish directly.