polishing fiberglass

[DImberi]

i'm getting ready to drag out the 5th wheel for another season of camping. I'd like to shine it up good this time. Any tips for getting rid of that old look fiberglass rigs get after years in the sun? I've got a 30-foot '94 Alpenlite which is in great condition and still has the original rubber roof. It is stored outside, uncovered. I'd just like to polish it up. Thanks -- Doug

 

[Curious Dave]

You can use a compound to remove the dull finish. . but you want to be careful on what you use because some products will scratch the surface really bad. You can also get some semi-liquid wax that will penetrate the oxdation and renourish the fiberglass. It takes a lot of elbow grease and time. But it will look better.

 

[Austin Diesel]

used a compound from safety kleen fiberglass buffing compound they have different grits



it must be applied with a electric buffer and wool pads to restore faded finishes on boats works well on offshore boats just use a pro quality dewalt or makita buffer not a wally world special lots of elbow grease but you will see yourself in the shine when done

 

[Mindbndr]

Ro-Lite

For stubborn oxidation and superficial scatched RoLite works great. It is an aluminum polish that also works great on fiberglass and gel coat. you can find it online or at aviation supply usually.

 

[HBarlow]

The answer to your question depends more on what type of fiberglass skin sheets does your trailer have.

If it is the older "filon" finish it will not polish. What you see is the way it will remain. I had a '95 Travel Supreme, an expensive top of the line unit in its day, but used filon fiberglass. It was permanently dull.

If it is a newer and more expensive high gloss fiberglass sheet it can be polished with a high speed rotary polish pad IF you know how to use one properly. It requires experience and skill to avoid heavy permanent swirl marks or worse, burned spots.

 

[DImberi]

Thanks for all the input! How do I know if it has filon?

 

[EricBu12]

It will have a fibrous texture. think of the old Front window covers on TT's. . that kind of thing. makes you think twice about rubbing your hand on it as you might get glass slivers.

 

[AWallace]

I use protect all polish. Been using it for 15 yrs. If there is no oxidation it works great wipe it on and wipe it off do not let it haze over. It will last a year and really shines. It works well on filon also. I use it on my truck and campers both. You can get at camper supply stores and some wal-marts. Meguiars Cleaner for oxidation works well.

 

[DaveHess]

My hasn't dulled up at all yet but I use NuFinish in the orange bottle 2x a year. Takes the better part of a day but that white fiberglass and graphics looks brilliant. BTW, it is a 29' Jayco Eagle 298BHS TT.

 

[Jim Smith]

Try Turtle Wax Ice . It will put some shine back on your filon skin. I used it on my 36 footer and now it looks better. The surface must be clean before use start because this is like putting a coating on the fiberglass. Cost about $17 at Wal Mart or auto store.

 

[Austin Diesel]

The commercial fiberglass compounds have the abilty to cut throught the oxidation and stickers or graphics if you let it ,



directions state do a small inconspicious test area first ,regardless of the composition.



most are gelcoat finishes



had a 80 model royal coachmen and it shined every time



just move the buffer pad and dont burn it in or create hot spots, maybe more than one buffing pads as they get contaminated fast and can be washed in the washer anyway, after the fact



you should see a shine or reflection and it will bead water off of it,



any carnuba /petroleum based cutting compound will work. Boaters world or any body shop supply has it ,



3 m makes a medium and heavy polishing compound in pints about 20 bucks or less ,the finer grits take longer and more rubbing and wool everywhere swirl marks can be removed with finer compounds if needed,



most boat shops use safety kleen or 3M ,



was 40 dollars for a gallon wholesale that is a old price probally 50 now from safety kleen , which is not bad if you have a 50 foot boat to polish then you can hit it up with meguires hand rubbed finishing glaze .

 

[BIGNASTY]

filon will polish

The answer to your question depends more on what type of fiberglass skin sheets does your trailer have.



If it is the older "filon" finish it will not polish. What you see is the way it will remain. I had a '95 Travel Supreme, an expensive top of the line unit in its day, but used filon fiberglass. It was permanently dull.



If it is a newer and more expensive high gloss fiberglass sheet it can be polished with a high speed rotary polish pad IF you know how to use one properly. It requires experience and skill to avoid heavy permanent swirl marks or worse, burned spots.

Sorry Harvey but my bro Inlaw has a trailer with filon skin we used a Porter Cable random orbital polisher and Meguiars Paint reconditioning cream (prod # D 151)then Meguiars yellow wax # 26 Use it with soft buff pad 2. 0 also from Meguiars can get more abrasive of pad it you need it. DONT USE ANYTHING BUT A RANDOM ORBITAL POLISHER (SANDER) you can burn the finish. with a high speed buffer unless you know what your doing. this makes the trailer look like new.

 

[HBarlow]

Okay, maybe some can. When I bought the used 1995 Travel Supreme in 2003 it was dull, not glossy. I tried applying automotive paste wax unsuccessfully. I asked a friend who is an RV dealer service manager and long time tech and was told the filon wouldn't polish. I accepted his advice and never tried polishing it.

 

[PVanderlugt]

Any of you guys ever used Flowtroll, the oil paint additive? was reading the back of the can one day, said can be used to rejuvenate fiberglass. I have an 20 year old fiberglass boat that had been neglected and would not polish up. Used the Flowtroll on it and it looked awesome, actually still looks very good 2 years later, just wipe on and wipe off. has that nice wet look to it, not sure if it will ever take wax again, but really don't care with this old boat
Pete

 

[pullya]

Look at autopia.org. It is a professional detailers web site(free). They have a special section for boats, RV's and motorcycles. There is a wealth of information there. They talk about the proper products to use and the techniques that work best for the best results. They will also answer any question you have.

Jay

 

[DImberi]

Thanks for the tip. Flowtroll sounds pretty good and easy. Where do I get it and what's it cost? -- Doug

 

[DImberi]

Autopia is a great site. It is almost as good as the TDR forum. I've added it to my favorites. Thanks -- Doug

 

[PVanderlugt]

It is an additive you add to oil based paint to make it flow better and increase the work time any paint store will have it, including all the box stores, about $8 bucks a quart,

 

[BIGNASTY]

Flowtroll

Any of you guys ever used Flowtroll, the oil paint additive? was reading the back of the can one day, said can be used to rejuvenate fiberglass. I have an 20 year old fiberglass boat that had been neglected and would not polish up. Used the Flowtroll on it and it looked awesome, actually still looks very good 2 years later, just wipe on and wipe off. has that nice wet look to it, not sure if it will ever take wax again, but really don't care with this old boat

Pete

I build kitchen cabinets and some of the folks like them painted I used Flowtroll for a long time then some of the Sierra Club people didnt like Californians using oil base paint so no need for Flowtroll. Didnt know it works on fiberglass worked great in oil base paint no brush marks at all.

 

[Barry]

Never used Flowtroll... ... ... ... ... ... have used lots of other products for "Clear Coating" RVs.



If you would like to see some dramatic results, go to Vivilon Restores Faded Paint, Metal or Fiberglass While this product is expensive,(last time I bought was $179 a gallon) it does a great job and lasts. Click on to the RV section and you will see one of the campers I did... ... ... ... ... it's the Argosy Travel Trailer. It had sat out next to the lake for 7 years without moving. So oxidized you could not tell what color it was.



If Flowtroll will do the same job and lasts... ... ... ... it is a bargain.