Roof Mottled Discoloration - Zep Floor Polish Method

huskersteffy

Senior Member
Joined
May 2, 2015
Messages
297
Location
Lincoln
Hi All:

I switched from waxing to using the Zep floor polish method about 3 years ago. In the spring, I'd wash the rig real well and then apply one coat "High Traffic" product and then one or two coats of "Wet Look" product. I was always happy how shiny it turned out without having to buff.

About the middle of Summer of 2024, I noticed some mottled discoloration, mostly at the roof (marked up pics).

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For those of you that use the Zep floor polish method, does this appearance indicate I need to use Zep stripper and start over?

I appreciate any input, but my intent isn't to start a big back-and-forth about waxing versus the Zep method. I'm happy with my choice in that regard.

My rig is a 2016 21C (one of the last ones out of the old "space capsule" style molds) and I store it outside in my driveway without a cover.

Thanks!
 
Hi All:

I switched from waxing to using the Zep floor polish method about 3 years ago. In the spring, I'd wash the rig real well and then apply one coat "High Traffic" product and then one or two coats of "Wet Look" product. I was always happy how shiny it turned out without having to buff.

About the middle of Summer of 2024, I noticed some mottled discoloration, mostly at the roof (marked up pics).

View attachment 494498
View attachment 494499

For those of you that use the Zep floor polish method, does this appearance indicate I need to use Zep stripper and start over?

I appreciate any input, but my intent isn't to start a big back-and-forth about waxing versus the Zep method. I'm happy with my choice in that regard.
We’ve used Zep on three campers now. The first two (2003 Bigfoot 25RQ and a 2018 Escape 5.0) were stripped and had no issues.

I’ve had a number of health issues this year, so I decided to not strip our camper before applying Zep this summer. It looked like our 2016 had never been waxed, but sat inside a heated shed before we purchased in January 2023.

Considering my health, last summer, I spotlessly cleaned the sides and edges of the roof before applying one layer of Floor Polish, and two layers of wet look. Because of my health I chose not to wax the roof where we have three 200 watt panels, because I just didn’t have the dexterity to clean and apply around all the roof openings/solar panels. Like to think my issues are now over, so I’ll do the roof next summer.

Zep worked perfectly on our previous two campers.

I’d strip before applying if I were you.

Food for thought,

Perry
 
Why are people using a product like ZEP floor polish on their trailers? My understanding is that it has no UV inhibitors in it. Thereby providing poor protection for your gel coat.
 
Why are people using a product like ZEP floor polish on their trailers? My understanding is that it has no UV inhibitors in it. Thereby providing poor protection for your gel coat.
Why? Probably because it's less expensive than products specifically designed for fiberglass UV protection and appearance enhancement.
I've never understood either; some folks swear by it, others at it.
 
Hey Perry... Do you have any tips for using the stripper other than doing it on a cool, cloudy day?

Thanks!
 
After 10 or so years you'll stop worrying what the jones think and just camping the hell out of it.
I give up with the wax and polish @^%$## a while ago.
 
Why? Probably because it's less expensive than products specifically designed for fiberglass UV protection and appearance enhancement.
I've never understood either; some folks swear by it, others at it.
Can you name some "products specifically designed for fiberglass UV protection and appearance enhancement" that will keep the trailer looking shiny for several years? If Zep makes a trailer shiny for 3 years before stripping, that's a whole lot better than the Meguiar's wax I used last spring (which stopped looking shiny after only a month or two).
 
I've used Poli-Glo cleaner & wipe-on a 20 year old sailboat and 16 year old Casita, both with superb results. The Casita was very heavily gelcoat chalked and required Barkeepers abrasive before the cleaning and coating.
After these treatments, I kept direct sun off the boat and trailer and the shine lasted and did not diminish over time.

Search the forum for Poli-Glo as keyword. This has all been previously hashed out. Some recommend the floor wax, others have experienced issues over time.

As always, whatever works, for you, is just right.

Pic is of refurbished gelcoat, several years after the work.
Casita.jpg
 
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So as a Chemist who has used both Poliglow and Zep on a UHaul VT for over 12 years, I will offer my 2 cents. I saw no difference in the products except for price. If not covered over the course of 2-3 years both will exhibit the mottling shown by the original poster. This is likely caused by UV exposure, anecdotal reports would indicate that it is especially a problem at higher altitudes which would make sense as there is less atmosphere to filter the UV.
My Brother-in-law's Scamp which is stored inside has gone 5 years using Zep now needs a touch-up.
A review of the Material Safety Data sheets for both products indicate they contain the same ingredients.
The best option I found to solve the mottling was to strip the old coating off for either product and start from scratch. Overcoating typically makes the coating turn a very light grey as itjust dissolves part of the outer coating and mixes the embeded dirt into the new coating.
The trick to the stripping is to use the Stripper(both manufactures again use the same chemicals) full strength in a spray bottle, green scrubber pad, gloves and a hose. Spray on the stripper in a 2 sq. ft. area wait a short bit scrub with the green pad while hosing the area, be sure to hose all the material off the trailer as it can set up on the way down the side and is more difficult to remove the second time. Rinse again and repeat until all areas are covered.
The Zep stripper is significantly cheaper. By all means possible stay away from any strippers that contain names like " Stormy", "Misty Dawn" or "Fannie " as they have been known to be problematic.
 
Can you name some "products specifically designed for fiberglass UV protection and appearance enhancement" that will keep the trailer looking shiny for several years? If Zep makes a trailer shiny for 3 years before stripping, that's a whole lot better than the Meguiar's wax I used last spring (which stopped looking shiny after only a month or two).
In response to Mike G's question about naming a product: Instead of wax we have always used Aero303, which is made specifically for UV protection, and is used extensively on fiberglass by boaters and small aircraft owners. The local airport is where I heard of it. We have used Aero303 exclusively on our 2015 Escape trailer, parked outside in the California sun, and frequently camping or traveling through the Mojave desert. The only time the trailer is covered is between the end of and start of trout fishing season (mid-Nov-4th Sat. of Apr), with occasional winter camping uncoverings. 9 years, and it's still shiny.
 
We have used Aero303 exclusively on our 2015 Escape trailer, parked outside in the California sun, and frequently camping or traveling through the Mojave desert.
Just curious .... Do you re-apply every 3-5 weeks as recommended by the manufacturer?

Noting it claims to leave a "matte" finish, you like that rather than glossy gelcoat?
 
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The trick to the stripping is to use the Stripper(both manufactures again use the same chemicals) full strength in a spray bottle, green scrubber pad, gloves and a hose. Spray on the stripper in a 2 sq. ft. area wait a short bit scrub with the green pad while hosing the area, be sure to hose all the material off the trailer as it can set up on the way down the side and is more difficult to remove the second time. Rinse again and repeat until all areas are covered.
Green scrub pads are seriously abrasive, leaving deep scratches on any surface I've seen them used on.

Isn't a stripper meant to strip without added abrasion?

Are you able to then get a shine on a scratched up gelcoat?
 
In response to Mike G's question about naming a product: Instead of wax we have always used Aero303, which is made specifically for UV protection, and is used extensively on fiberglass by boaters and small aircraft owners. The local airport is where I heard of it. We have used Aero303 exclusively on our 2015 Escape trailer, parked outside in the California sun, and frequently camping or traveling through the Mojave desert. The only time the trailer is covered is between the end of and start of trout fishing season (mid-Nov-4th Sat. of Apr), with occasional winter camping uncoverings. 9 years, and it's still shiny.

Aero303 now makes a lot of products, they were originally best known for a vinyl protectant, used for awnings and such, so which is their fiberglass protectant/polish ?
 
I learned somewhere on this forum that Corrosion Technologies RejeX polymer finish was an excellent product to use on fiberglass.

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I used Maguire's Boat and RV compound and then a much finer compound, to clean up my roof, and then applied a coat of the RejeX. It is extremely slick, as the moving quilts I use under small plywood panels I use on the roof to work up there, kept sliding, and the water from the A/C really beads up. It was a lot of work to clean up the chalky fiberglass roof, but the results are excellent. Since the trailer resides inside, I cannot speak for the longevity of the product.

I did my entire RAM 2500 with it also, and it is slicker than any wax or polish ever was, and it washes up easier too.

Charles
 

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