High heat and Escape trailers

[Patandlinda]

Bob,
My unexpert opinion (½ cents or so!).
I've been pondering your comment about the gelcoat getting hot.
-The Calmark cover is made of Sunbrella fabric, which is breathe-able, so the gelcoat temp. should not be much different than the outside air temp. (Indeed, the temperature may be higher if the trailer was inside an enclosed uninsulated garage.)
-I presume that ETI uses polyester gelcoat, similar to that used on a lot of aircraft finishes. It is a thermosetting plastic, so it should not be adversely affected by the expected temperatures.
-The Calmark cover blocks most of the solar radiation. Our 150W. solar array still shows a few Watts (not much) generated with the cover on.
I think you'll find that you have a good solution to the solar radiation and heat problem.

When we have had the Calmark cover on actually when I go in trailer found temps in there to be lower . We always leave kitchen window , roof vent , bath fan all cracked open a little . Pat

 

[Patandlinda]

Camping World also sells 303 . Pat

 

[sumac.rhus (2017 17B)]

There are at least 12 strains of the 303.

https://www.goldeagle.com/products?f[0]=field_product_brand%3A9&page=1


It's like the shampoo aisle at Walmart.

The manufacturers site says apply every 3-5 weeks for maximum protection.

Curious re so many "protectants'" descriptions sounding so similar, I asked Gold Eagle Company how to compare/contrast them. Their reply: "...303® Aerospace Protectant comes in different labels that simply reflect the market in which it is sold (marine, automotive, etc.). The formula, features, benefits and mode of application are the same...." Gotta love marketing... The "Automotive Speed Detailer" has a glossy finish - compared to the matte of the others.... but don't know if that is the only difference.

 

[float5]

There are at least 12 strains of the 303.

https://www.goldeagle.com/products?f[0]=field_product_brand%3A9&page=1


It's like the shampoo aisle at Walmart.

The manufacturers site says apply every 3-5 weeks for maximum protection.

The manufacturer does not have fiberglass trailers in mind. My impression from reviews is that it is most often used on upholstery and smaller items. Of course, they want to sell it and you could use a bottle for a long time on other items. Don't think we even use a bottle for the whole trailer but maybe about that.

 

[rbryan4]

The manufacturer does not have fiberglass trailers in mind. My impression from reviews is that it is most often used on upholstery and smaller items.

That's true, at least when 303 was just 303 products, before Gold Eagle. They used to keep a life jacket on a flagpole at their headquarters. One side was treated with 303, and the other was untreated. The untreated side was in tatters after a short time, and the treated side looked new. Slogan was "SPF 15 for your stuff". There were references to protecting plastic however, particularly plexiglass used on aircraft. That's why they called it "aerospace protectant".

Provided it's applied frequently enough, it works well on non porous things as well as on fabrics, vinyl and rubber. But the only way to get consistent protection on a hard surface is to apply it often. There's just not enough of a film to protect it otherwise. On colored graphics, which are vinyl and therefore more porous, it works better.

Having used 303 on lots of different things for almost two decades now, it's my humble opinion that Starbrite or another quality Marine polish does a better job on gelcoat than 303 ever could, and it's far more durable. 303's main attraction there is ease of application.



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[float5]

Well, 303 makes a UV-inhibiting claim that seems to be more than most other products, if it is true. Most waxes, I don't think, even have a UV inhibitor. But some do which I suppose includes what you like best. But not having trailers with 303 vs. wax to compare, hard to know, if just referring to other items and materials. There are a few Escape owners using 303 and some will be able to tell something after a few years. Of course, if an owner wants a shiny trailer, need a wax because 303 will not do that.

That's true, at least when 303 was just 303 products, before Gold Eagle. They used to keep a life jacket on a flagpole at their headquarters. One side was treated with 303, and the other was untreated. The untreated side was in tatters after a short time, and the treated side looked new. Slogan was "SPF 15 for your stuff". There were references to protecting plastic however, particularly plexiglass used on aircraft. That's why they called it "aerospace protectant".

Provided it's applied frequently enough, it works well on non porous things as well as on fabrics, vinyl and rubber. But the only way to get consistent protection on a hard surface is to apply it often. There's just not enough of a film to protect it otherwise. On colored graphics, which are vinyl and therefore more porous, it works better.

Having used 303 on lots of different things for almost two decades now, it's my humble opinion that Starbrite or another quality Marine polish does a better job on gelcoat than 303 ever could, and it's far more durable. 303's main attraction there is ease of application.



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk