your older RV? There are many videos about it on the internet. I've tried many products on our 2003 class C which has probably set outside it's whole life and none so far have made any difference in the looks. Of course I know nothing will put back bright color but hopefully at least a nice shine. I've just started with the Zep and am encouraged so far but too early for a celebration. It's expensive and takes multiple coats and I think preliminary cleaning must be real important.
Jayco-noslide
I had to use wax stripper and then soapy water with ammonia. I then went over the whole unit rubbing with bar keepers friend. By comparison the Zep went on quickly with no rubbing or work. I stopped at 4 coats which took about 3 hours to apply. The RV now looks good and shines in the sun. I hope it is now also easy to keep clean.
If the internet reports are correct, the finish should hold up for at least a year, then a good wash and another coat or two should hold it another year. We will see.
Zep/Red Max Pro Application Process
It is time consuming but, not hard work. It did a nice job on our 96 Southwind.
If you don't like the idea of floor wax on your RV, just do the cleaning process and then apply the automotive wax of your choice.
Preparation is the key to having a nice finished job with whatever wax you chose.
![[image]](http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l10/heritage93/PoliGlow_zpsapgedogk.jpg)
![[image]](http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l10/heritage93/poly2_zpsuwyscv8a.jpg)
2001 Alpenlite 35RK
2007.5 Chev LMM Duramax/Allison
BD Variable Vane Turbo Brake
TST 507
2010 FLHTC Electra Glide Classic Red Hot Sunglo ">
If you want to restore a brilliant shine without a ton of work or money, then ZEP seems like the way to go. I would use it again.
Homesick for a place that I've never been
The oxidization can be removed with a variety of products. For me, the easiest is to use Jasco Prepaint Conditioner in a garden sprayer and brush with a long handled soft bristle brush. Sometimes, an additional spray of Jasco (diluted) is required. I've used this product on many different vehicle and non-vehicle surfaces over the years. It is now a non-TSP alternative. TSP will also work, as will any phosphoric acid based product. In a former career servicing sailboats, we used more intense acids to clean hulls. Unwarranted for RV's.
The shine can be applied with the myriad of waxes available. Boat/marine wax systems work well for fiberglass sided RV's. Floor wax leaves a durable shine but the synthetic, heavier waxes may crack and peel from road use or UV degradation. Vehicle waxes will leave a shine on even aluminum sided trailers. I am now using Parfe liquid wax. It is applied by spraying and leaves a fairly durable shine.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
Jayco-noslide wrote:
I'm the original poster and am working on polishing mine; about 1/4 done. It's turning out pretty well and improving the looks. It's hard to tell which is helping the most. The prep cleaning with Awesome and rubbing(hard) or applying the polish with a sponge(easy). No doubt takes both. The polish applies a shine but does no cleaning.
The intense rubbing and the heavy surfactant soap is removing the oxidation layer. It can be done a lot easier with different chemicals but it will SEEM better after all of that rubbing.
I'm the original poster and am working on polishing mine; about 1/4 done. It's turning out pretty well and improving the looks. It's hard to tell which is helping the most. The prep cleaning with Awesome and rubbing(hard) or applying the polish with a sponge(easy). No doubt takes both. The polish applies a shine but does no cleaning.
Our time frame is sometime after 2 weeks from now. Have prosumer buffers, want a long lasting shine, she is pretty dull and up close the texture of fiberglass is fairly noticeable.
We'll likely need a good deoxidizer and a heavy build and seal product.
I thought this process was fairly easy to do!
DiskDoctr wrote:
Watching this thread closely, looking for the right solution for our 2005 fiberglass Keystone Cougar 304BHS.
Our time frame is sometime after 2 weeks from now. Have prosumer buffers, want a long lasting shine, she is pretty dull and up close the texture of fiberglass is fairly noticeable.
We'll likely need a good deoxidizer and a heavy build and seal product.
On a 2005 I would try the buffers if you have them already and good shoulders first. The bar keepers friend will remove most of the oxidation. If it is still bad wet sanding with 2000 grit paper will really clean things up. HF sells the Mequire's ultra cut compound which does a nice job. I have done it both ways but have 2 repaired rotator cuffs so the the Zeps is easier for me. If I was 40 or 50 with good shoulders I would use the buffer. On my 21 year old MH I noticed the side walls were fine I was the front and rear FG caps that were highly oxidized, which is a lot less work than the whole MH.
Watching this thread closely, looking for the right solution for our 2005 fiberglass Keystone Cougar 304BHS.
Our time frame is sometime after 2 weeks from now. Have prosumer buffers, want a long lasting shine, she is pretty dull and up close the texture of fiberglass is fairly noticeable.
We'll likely need a good deoxidizer and a heavy build and seal product.
Gjac wrote:
On a 2005 I would try the buffers if you have them already and good shoulders first.
On a 2005 I would try the buffers if you have them already and good shoulders first.
Not sure they still qualify as "shoulders" any more, LOL.
Fortunately, I can do most anything- for short periods. Took me 3 days to scrub the roof of the camper. I can usually move between different kinds of things, just not too much of any one thing.
I've never been a car waxing or painter guy. I've tried it, but wouldn't be proud of any of the results.
I don't mind putting in the work, but it would be a real shame to do the work and end up with disappointing results.
So I'm here hoping to learn from you guys on this.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
I doubt you will need power equipment and certainly not sandpaper. No way would I use sandpaper or an equivalent abrasive on my RV. BKF is a very mild abrasive.
JimK-NY wrote:
My RV is from 2004. It has spent a lot of time in the desert southwest. This year was my first try removing oxidation. I hand rubbed with a pad and BKF. It took about the same amount of work as applying and removing paste wax.
I doubt you will need power equipment and certainly not sandpaper. No way would I use sandpaper or an equivalent abrasive on my RV. BKF is a very mild abrasive.
My RV is from 2004. It has spent a lot of time in the desert southwest. This year was my first try removing oxidation. I hand rubbed with a pad and BKF. It took about the same amount of work as applying and removing paste wax.
I doubt you will need power equipment and certainly not sandpaper. No way would I use sandpaper or an equivalent abrasive on my RV. BKF is a very mild abrasive.
Thanks again. I'm looking forward to trying some of these methods when we get back.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
Last year a neighbor purchased a 2002 Ford 350 from his Father-in-law and as I passed his house walking he had just finished washing his new to him truck I was amazed at the shine and he told me the truck had always been polished with a product I'd never heard of. My truck is also about 16 years old and Dodge had blessed it with a good factory paint job, so I tried the product called Voom Gold.The results after cleaning with a clay bar or mild polish are great. Wish I'd known about this stuff when we had the Alpenlite.It's about 28 bucks a gallon and over the last year I've polished our Accord twice, my truck twice,our Outback and our new 24' Coleman and still have about a 1/3 gallon left.You just spray it on and wipe it off and the gloss and smooth feeling are incredible.Water will dance right off the surfaces and seems to last 3 months or so.
I'm sorry if this seems like a advertisement just the experience of a 77 year who has polished his share of vehicles in his day
chevman alpenlite 5978
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110
georgej wrote:
Hey Larry Your Rig always looked good. Weren't you at Lacey too! Let's see, white chevy truck?
Hey Larry Your Rig always looked good. Weren't you at Lacey too! Let's see, white chevy truck?
Yes still an awesome rv for us, chevman