|
|
11-25-2014, 01:18 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 17
|
Restoring gelcoat to a brand new shine?
My 17 foot Escape has about 200,000 kms on it and is looking old and scruffy. I have tried waxing with minimal results. I have spoken to Escape who tell me that gelcoat is part of the original manufacturing process and can't be sprayed on afterwards. Does anyone know how I can restore the original shine? Is it a do-it-yourself project, or should I go to a professional, and if so who do I go to?
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 01:28 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rb5511
My 17 foot Escape has about 200,000 kms on it and is looking old and scruffy. I have tried waxing with minimal results. I have spoken to Escape who tell me that gelcoat is part of the original manufacturing process and can't be sprayed on afterwards. Does anyone know how I can restore the original shine? Is it a do-it-yourself project, or should I go to a professional, and if so who do I go to?
|
Gelcoat can be sprayed on afterwards, but I would not recommend this as it is cost prohibitive and takes a ton of prep work -- like refinishing a car. There are a number of products designed to restore the gelcoat gloss and remove oxidation. Here's a good one:
Meguiars Fiberglass Restoration System, boat restoration kit, boat polishing kit, meguiars boat polishes
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 01:48 PM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 17
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
|
Thanks. I appreciate this. Is waxing and refinishing temperature sensitive --- can it be done in really cold Canadian temperatures or should I do it in California?
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 02:04 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rb5511
Thanks. I appreciate this. Is waxing and refinishing temperature sensitive --- can it be done in really cold Canadian temperatures or should I do it in California?
|
I would highly recommend doing it in Texas instead, maybe at Robert's place.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 02:17 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,234
|
That Meguiars sounds like it will do a fine job, but also sounds like a lot of work.
You could try 303 Aerospace Protectant and see if it makes it shiny enough for you. But it will not give you a like new high gloss finish - (although I have read about using it in combination with a buffer to get more shine restoration.)
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 02:26 PM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
I would highly recommend doing it in Texas instead, maybe at Robert's place.
|
Sure, c'mon down! Labor is not included though.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 02:27 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,813
|
I've seen pros restore really dull and oxidized boat hulls to a mirror finish but I doubt an owner would have the time and patience to do that much work.
The alternative is paint. But that's a pretty subjective decision. I can say that any boat owner that has ever had their boat sprayed loves the ease of care and wouldn't willing go back to gelcoat.
At the Moab meet there was an old Uhaul that had been painted. Looked like a million dollars.
Ron
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 02:35 PM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
I've seen pros restore really dull and oxidized boat hulls to a mirror finish but I doubt an owner would have the time and patience to do that much work.
The alternative is paint. But that's a pretty subjective decision. I can say that any boat owner that has ever had their boat sprayed loves the ease of care and wouldn't willing go back to gelcoat.
At the Moab meet there was an old Uhaul that had been painted. Looked like a million dollars.
Ron
|
I dunno. Painting is expensive, and the thing about fiberglass trailers is they tend to flex a little. I've seen fiberglass that was painted with the wrong coating have a tendency to crack. Restoring the gelcoat on fiberglass is a ton of work to be sure, but with a dual-action rotary polisher it can be restored in a day. Once completed, the regular maintenance with 303 or a good wax will prevent it from happening again. I have a Porter Cable 7424XP and it does a fine job polishing my vehicles. For around $150 and some 'work' he could have it looking like new.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 03:32 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
|
I wouldn't paint a gelcoated trailer while the gelcoat is still serviceable - if nothing else, there's probably no going back. On the other hand, my motorhome has paint (factory-applied over the same gelcoated fiberglass that serves as the final finish without the paint option), and it is certainly easier to maintain than gelcoat. It is a big decision to go with paint, and a big surface to paint.
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 03:38 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,636
|
Lot of people have had success regaining the shine on their oxidized gelcoat fiberglass RV's by using a floor finishing product. Grab a BIG cup of coffee and check out this thread: Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell.. - Fiberglass RV
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad
"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 04:26 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
|
I had good results using ReddMaxx pro polish on a 5 year old f/g Eggcamper, see attached...
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 04:35 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
|
Using a floor wax / polish doesn't mean that you can now walk on the trailer roof.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 06:25 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,813
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
I've seen fiberglass that was painted with the wrong coating have a tendency to crack. .
|
Yah, and I've seen trailers painted with house paint and a roller But seriously the right paint on gelcoat works just fine. The real issue is when and if the gelcoat has gotten to its' own point of no return. Things like major chips etc. and areas worn thin by using abrasive products also come into the decision.
As long as the gelcoat is in good condition it's probably worth putting some sweat into it and seeing the result.
Ron
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 06:35 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,552
|
If the oxidization is really bad, but the gelcoat is is good shape, 600 grit wet sandpaper will remove the oxidization nice, and leave it ready for a buff and polish. The gelcoat is relatively thick. I have tried it on this badly oxidized 3800 year old Trillium I am rebuilding, and it is amazing the colour it brings out.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 06:49 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
|
It's almost older than dirt but still in pretty good shape given its age!
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 07:05 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,813
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
The gelcoat is relatively thick. I have tried it on this badly oxidized 3800 year old Trillium I am rebuilding, and it is amazing the colour it brings out.
|
"The gelcoat is relatively thick." That's the nitty gritty of the issue. I've seen gelcoat that has been abraded by abrasive cleaners to the point of transparency. Some people can't resist the quick fix to make black stains etc. go away easily but all gelcoat isn't equal and if there's a thin area and abrasives are used you might end up in a paint situation.
"3800 year old Trillium" , man, I knew fiberglass lasted a long time
Ron
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 07:38 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rb5511
My 17 foot Escape has about 200,000 kms on it and is looking old and scruffy. I have tried waxing with minimal results. I have spoken to Escape who tell me that gelcoat is part of the original manufacturing process and can't be sprayed on afterwards. Does anyone know how I can restore the original shine? Is it a do-it-yourself project, or should I go to a professional, and if so who do I go to?
|
You would have to get the wax off if you want to try 303 Aerospace and see if that helps.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 07:41 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
I have tried it on this badly oxidized 3800 year old Trillium I am rebuilding, and it is amazing the colour it brings out.
|
So, that would be about the same era as the one Moses used while shepherding in the desert, yes?
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 09:48 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Solvang, California
Trailer: 2016 21' Escape (usetaowna a 19, a Burro and 2 Casitas)
Posts: 842
|
I found a way to do it thats fairly easy and lasting on my oxidized Casita. Pm me if you are interested and want to work with a very common but a little hazardouse (but safe if you are cautious) solvent.
|
|
|
11-25-2014, 10:09 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews
So, that would be about the same era as the one Moses used while shepherding in the desert, yes?
|
Really, really good dating....
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|