Oxidized GelCoat: 3M Perfect It Compound?

[Donna D.]

Best results are obtained by using appropriate products on the right finish. 'Best' products to use on automotive paint and clear coat is 'clay bar' in increasing finer grits. Clay bar does next to nothing on gelcoat. Vice versa gelcoat compound is nearly worthless on automotive paint. I have no opinion on orbital polishers because my ever decreasing shoulder strength is almost preventing me from using one except on flat surfaces. Dang aging anyway

[fudge_brownie]

For yellowing of the plastic fixtures I have found paint to be one solution. Masking the area and brush painting works on some areas. Specifically the plastic hub caps (spray) and stove fan outlet look good in black. I have black graphics and with a black belly band and black tires, it is a good blend. Your color choice maybe different, depending. Something to evaluate.

[Donna D.]

I just ordered this on Amazon. It will be here Saturday. I need to do something and it has to be completely usable for me one handed, so that means 'light weight.' This is a link to Home Depot, same price as Amazon Prime, I just have other reasons for not wanting to shop Home Depot. I'll let everyone know how it works out. Fingers crossed!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-120-...6010/203585856

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Agree that for wax hand application is good. For oxidation you do need the right tool to cut with and even orbital polishers generally won't "cut it".

I tried the DeWalt polisher(which is rotary-not orbital)and it was a beast(6.7 lbs.) and sent it back. With the Chicago Electric @ Harbor Freight(5.5 lbs. and smaller) I can use it one-handed on the roof. The pros like the DeWalt as it has a soft start feature which is a good thing with clear coats on autos. The gel coats are much tougher and harder to damage- not that you can't do it. Also, a pro grade wool pad works better for medium-heavy oxidation than any foam pad.

I've used several different brand polishers. The Porter Cable random orbit is by far the best one I've used when it comes to getting a swirl free finish.

[Perryb67]

I would think a number of you also belong to the FiberglassRV.com. Grab youself a case of beer and start reading this ongoing thread: Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell.. It's been going on since June 24, 2010 and the last post (#909) was on June 20, 2019. The thread went from Poliglow to Zep products.

Two of our previous trailers were a 2000 (?) Scamp 16' Side Bath (6 years), and a 2007 Casita Spirit (5 years). I detested the cleaning, waxing, and buffing, especially with those rivet buttons. Two years ago we purchased a 2003 25' Bigfoot that was badly oxidized. By that time I'd ready read the "NOT Poliglow" thread and thought why not.

First I purchased the Zep stripper and sealer, plus bought a pack of microfiber towels, two glove/sponges and two simple spray bottles at Lowes in Rochester, MN. I cleaned the Bigfoot at a decent car wash and brought it back to our campsite .8 mile from our condo. I used the stripper to clean/strip the badly oxidated gelcoat on the Bigfoot. I applied the stripper with one of the spray bottles, being careful to avoid the windows. This took perhaps 2 hours on that 25' Bigfoot. I rinsed the camper with water, dried it with microfiber cloths, and let the camper finish drying overnight.

The next day I wiped the Bigfoot down again with microfiber cloths (perhaps 15 minutes). After wiping the trailer down I put the Zep Floor Sealer in a spray bottle and applied the sealer using the sponge glove. Took about 15-20 minutes to apply to the entire camper. An hour later I applied the second coat, waited and hour, and applied the final coat.

In all, the stripping/sealer applications took about perhaps 4 working hours. I'll do it in half the time when our 5.0 TA needs to be spruced up.

We sold the camper last year. This spring the owner informed me that her husband died in February. She asked me to help her sell the Bigfoot. It was 150 miles away, but sold withing a week of putting the ad on FiberglassRV.com. When I went to her place to finalize the sale to a couple from Tennessee (?) the Bigfoot still shined like a new camper, despite sitting outside all winter!

Please read Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell... No more will I ever apply wax and use buffers!