Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas

Old like New (almost)
Since my other picture didn't turn out very well, I thought I would take another stab at it.

This is a before and after picture of my trailer. I had to really crop the before picture and lose some of the clarity just so you could get and idea of what was done.

BEFORE

(image posted again in Want the Shine topic)

AFTER

From the looks of the preview, I still need to work on my picture quality. Think it may be my camera....or the operator....naw, not the operator!

(image posted again in Want the Shine topic)
-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Michael Sanders, Webguy, Central Coast, California:

Wow
Suz, that is fabulous. How did you get such a great shine?

-----------------------------
Enjoy your visit - Webguy
e-mail: Michael Sanders, Donations: Website Donations.

Last edited by: Michael Sanders on 10-04-02 10:05:42

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

Elbow Grease
Thanks. Lots of elbow grease.

Every window had at least a 2'' wide mixture of clear silicone and dirt around it. There wasn't one rivet cap left (nor the washer) so every rivet had a large gob of dirt/silicone over it. Also, needless to say, the outside was so oxidized that it look like flat paint. First we scrubbed the outside with Bar Keepers Friend and lots of water. Then we just started waxing and waxing and waxing. Also, all but the rear sticker was either faded or crystalized. There were two of the latter and they were a real to remove. I still have to wax it more frequently than a new one, but it does shine. Also where the stickers were, it is discolored. I'm going to put new decals on it, but haven't decided whether to have the whole thing gel coated or just the repair that was done, so for now she remains a bare naked lady.

Once all is said and done, I'm going to put a polish on it and then wax it again. For now, my main goal is to get her out camping!

-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Last edited by: Suz on 10-04-02 10:23:14

Posted by Rick, Moderator, Vancouver, BC, Canada

SUZ
That is amazing stuff. I assumed that my 1995 with it faded exterior was something I would just have to accept. Obviously I can get a better shine than I do!


Great Job !

-----------------------------
Rick

*Leadfoot in a Bigfoot*

95 Bigfoot 25B21 (21.5FT)

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

shine
Rick,

The Bar Keepers Friend is a mild polishing compound, but only removes the oxidation. You may not need it. Try a boat wax with cleaners. Of all the waxes I used (and I used a lot of different ones) one called Starbrite Marine Polish(in a blue bottle) did the best job for me. I think it's because it has kerosene in it. Once you get the shine where you want it, any good wax will do.

One caveat: Be very careful around your decals. Wax shouldn't hurt them (and will help preserve), but old ones may be effected by anything with a cleaner in it.

Good Luck.
-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Michael Sander, Webguy, Central Coast, California:

Polish

Did you use a machine to help with the polishing?
...or did you do it all by hand?

How many hours would you say you have in bringing back the shine?

-----------------------------
Enjoy your visit - Webguy
e-mail: Michael Sanders, Donations: Website Donations.

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

Polish
Really don't have a clue how many hours. Not as many as you would think though. I tore up my right shoulder and elbow using a pick axe on some tree stumps (making it's parking space) so this limited the amount of time I could spend on it at any one time. I'd just pick up a rag and add wax when I thought about it.

Fortunately, I think I actually may recover.
Both shoulders are finally working again.

Machine or hand? Mostly by hand. My husband tried two different buffers. Meantime, I have just kept on piddling with it and it looks pretty good. I think either would work, but I prefer doing it by hand. It's easier for me to just keep a bottle of polish/wax in the trailer and just pick it up when the mood strikes me. It probably has somewhere in the neighorborhood of about six or seven coats Some coats are better than others. The top needs more but the rest seems to be holding pretty well and cleans up rather nicely with Charles' tip of using baby wipes.
-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Rick, Moderator, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Polish
A few weeks ago I bought Starbrite Premium RV Polish with Teflon. It comes in a white bottle with a black and red label. Anyone use this product? Maybe it's the same stuff but packaged differently for us Eskimos!

I'll have to check out that Bar Keepers. I do have some oxidation.


Thanks.

-----------------------------
Rick

*Leadfoot in a Bigfoot*

95 Bigfoot 25B21 (21.5FT)

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

Starbrite
Rick - I believe it is different, as I seem to recall seeing that one too. Check on the back label and see if it has kerosene in it.

Honestly, in the end, I don't think it matters, as long as it has some type of cleaner in it and you stay with it. Some might make it a little easier, but once it is done it will be easier to keep. It shouldn't be an on-going thing. Just in the beginning, try to wax it every couple of weeks until you get it like you want it. Who knows, if you use a cleaner paste wax and a buffer, it might be even faster.

The first coat or two will probably appear streaked. That will polish out with subsequent coats.

-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Charles Watts, Member, Illinois:

Wow! Wow! Wow!
Wow, Suz ... did I say Wow?

We're in the presence of greatness!

Looks like you put new snap caps on too! Did you replace the rivets ... or just silicone the caps on?

Wow!

Man, Suz ... I'm speechless!



-----------------------------

Posted by pjanits, Member, Schaumburg, Ill.:

polish
Say Suz,

Do you think you could come over here and show me how its done?

snicker,snicker

-----------------------------
Pete

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

Say what?
pj (ah, pjantis, may I call you pj for short?) :


Actually, according to your posted location, you don't live that far from my daughter. Whew. I'll be sure not to tell you when I go visit her!

Charles - Aw, shucks. Greatness? I don't think so. Stupidity and tenacity is more like it. I'm too stupid to know that there are some things that I can't do and too stubborn to know when I should quit. And, of course there are a lot of imperfections that don't show up in the picture that I probably wil never get rid of, but that's okay by me.

Silicone them on? I don't think so. Actually, I've got an experiment going. For the most part, the old rivets were drilled out, then added silicone, snap washer, new rivet, more silicone, and snap cap. Tried a few others (for future info) a different way. If the rivet was solid, then I took the clear portion (washer) made a slit with a razor knife (middle to outside), and with a lot of effort (really more than adding a new rivet) put silicone around the rivet, forced the washer between the rivet and the trailer until it was just like it was when adding a new rivet. More silicone was added, then the cap was snapped into place. End result is that you cannot tell one from the other. None of them leak, but only the future will tell if endurance is any different. I cannot imagine it would be, but not a big deal to replace the few that I did that way. Why did I do this? Simple: I would have had to replace every single rivet in that trailer at one time. So, I thought I would experiment. Do I recommend this method? Nope. Sure don't. It's very iffy if it's not done correctly. Besides, if you only have a dozen or so, why not replace them?

-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Last edited by: Suz on 10-04-02 15:39:44

Posted by Thomas and Janifer, Moderator, Northeast, Oklahoma:

there is hope for mine
That is the greatest transformation I have ever seen. Mine looks like your before, and like Rick thought I would be stuck with it or have to have it painted. I just keep thinking how wonderful it looks. Way to go.

-----------------------------
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Posted by Steven Colli, Member, Connecticut:

Yup I have to agree!!!
That looks Dang nice!!! Now it's time to go camping and catch some in her!!!

Way to go!!!

-----------------------------
Steve, Julie & Michael
2000 Casita 16 Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

The true secret...
of getting the finish back is just doing something with whatever you have when you have a few minutes to do it.

Truth is, all of our trailers are alike yet different: Different age, different mfg, different past care, etc. Some of you may even have true vintage ones that have been painted. If that's the case, then always test a small area.

It hit me today as I was waxing the top. I ran out of Starbrite and grabbed the Nu-Finish and kept on working. And that is truly what I have done all along. Use one thing then another. Just keep on working and don't give up. Don't think you have to do the whole thing at one time or you may never get started. Just go out there and just do a little at a time. That's what I've done, and that is what has worked the best for me.

My goal was never to have the best or prettiest or shiniest. My goal was to have a nice looking trailer to go camping in that didn't leak and would stay clean. And I think that is just about where I am.

And that's the true secret of it all. Want a motivator? Go out and pick a small spot on the bottom half. Work on it a few minutes. When that starts to shine, it does great things to keep you going. Don't start on the top. It's going to be the hardest. Know where its going before you get there.

Happy Waxing!

-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Rick, Moderator, Vancouver, BC, Canada:

*Rick looks into his wallet to see if he has enough money to pay someone to wax his trailer!*

No way - I might need another mortgage.

I just realized that in terms of square footage - my Bigfoot has about twice the area of fiberglass compared to a Casita that must be waxed. Did that come out right? I hope so - I just mean that it's gonna be a BIG job.

-----------------------------
Rick

*Leadfoot in a Bigfoot*

95 Bigfoot 25B21 (21.5FT)

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

Waxing a Bigfoot
Rick - Sure you got a bigger foot that me , but you got more and bigger windows, too, thus reducing the amount of square footage than one might assume to be there because of the largness of the chariot......

Okay, so you got an elephant. You know what's been said, don't you? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, my friend, one bite at a time.

Now, let loosen up those shoulders and start waxing!




-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Chester Taje, Moderator, Hosmer, BC, Canada:

Suz
Just going into old posts. Your TT looks great.I did same thing and it worked ok. This coming year will get it painted. My inside Has now been completly Done

-----------------------------
Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class

Posted by Thomas and Janifer, Moderator, Northeast, Oklahoma:


pictures
Well I can't tell it's changed at all Ches. THERE ARE NO PICTUREs. Please, please put some here, or did you put them some where else and I forget? I love seeing inside fixes. especially the detailed ones.

-----------------------------
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Last edited by: Thomas and Janifer on 11-16-02 07:48:53

Posted by Chester Taje, Moderator, Hosmer, BC, Canada:


Hi I will put pictures One day.I have been looking in advertisments tonite to see what a cheap didital camera costs,also I got to learn how to do it I rebuilt the whole inside, made repairs where i had to then painted Everything white with melemain paint, With blue trim. Installed hardwood floors and put in permanint bunks 39x74 inches.I cant sleep at nite no more so I did bunks so I dont bother wife with my getting up and down Soon i hope to get picturies on
Take Care

-----------------------------
Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class

Posted by Thomas and Janifer, Moderator, Northeast, Oklahoma:

bunks
So?? which trailer do you have? I'm planning on doing twin beds, and I think 39" would be too wide. I have a foam I take to the Language seminar I go to yearly. Kind of like a retreat. it's only 28", but I sleep good so I was going with that size. leaves 18" in between. So on these bunks, who gets the top? are they in the back part?

-----------------------------
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Posted by Chester Taje, Moderator, Hosmer, BC, Canada:



Hi
Bunks are in back, I got the top. My bunks are the old army type, steel frame. They are sitting on legs because I did not want any weight on sides or top of fiberglass shell. I removed the old springs in the bunks and put in 3/4 Inch plywood in steel frames. Bought new foams last week and will install in spring. TT is 17 foot boler. Both beds are now very roomy.
Taake care

-----------------------------
Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class

Posted by Suz, Moderator, North Texas:

17' Boler
Ches,

Sounds like you have done a lot of work on your TT. We are all IMpatiently waiting to see your pictures.

Mine still doesn't have the decals on her because I am debating whether to have it re-gelcoated. All but the rear decal was faded and crystalized. They were really hard to remove, but time and tenacity proved the victor. I have a fiberglass repair on the front right corner that needs new gel coat, so have considered doing the whole thing. Only problem is that the patena of the old, orignal is so great, that I'm not sure if I want to do it all or just the front corner. It will take more waxing to keep it up, I'm sure, but I really don't mind as I am growing attached to it

Before I purchased it, someone had made a feeble attempt at the fiberglass repair...actually all they did was goop up the hole and spray it with with paint. Fortunately, they did use fiberglass repair and not Bondo. They also over-filled it enough so that I have been able to get a good smooth finish and curve to it. Problem is that I'm not having much luck witht the gel coat. We have a lot of boat places around here, so now that winter is coming on, their business will drop enough so I should be able to get it done. Besides, it doesn't look THAT bad. Either that or I'm getting use to it

Like Jana J says, we love pictures!

-----------------------------
Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Posted by Thomas and Janifer, Moderator, Northeast, Oklahoma:

bunks
Ches,
I've heard some about those beds before. over at the boler place. I pestered you there too. glad you found your way over here.
with a 17 and bunks along the back, you got room for a party. where's that dancing women Suz had?

-----------------------------
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Posted by Chester Taje, Moderator, Hosmer, BC, Canada:


Hi
The dancing girl is probably frozen in the barn.

-----------------------------
Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class

Posted by Terri T., Member, Windsor, Ontario:

another hint to cleaning.....
Hi, I am new to this site but I was reading through and I that I could offer a bit of advice to help make your cleaning easier and to make the shine last longer. To clean the dirt and oxidation off of your trailers, use Maguires "one step cleaner wax". This stuff works great!!! Once you get all of the dirt off (usually after a couple of cleanings or so, depending on how bad the fiberglass is) then use 2 coats of the Starbrite "teflon marine polish". This stuff lasts the whole season and the fiberglass will feel smooth as silk because the seal is so good. Also, nothing seems to stick to it. It makes washing your trailer all summer easier too!!

You can get both of these products at any marine supply store. If you use the cleaner first, you won't need to use 6 or 7 coats of wax. You only use 2 coats. I have been using this stuff for a while now in my boat cleaning business and it is fantastic. I will never use anything else.

Good luck and happy camping!!!

-----------------------------
Terri T.

Posted by Chester Taje, Moderator, Hosmer, BC, Canada:


Hi Terri
Welcome to this forum.Post lots and have fun.Its good to have someone here who works on making Fiberglass exteriors shine.Thanks for the imput.

-----------------------------
Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class

Posted by Thomas and Janifer, Moderator, Northeast, Oklahoma:


this thread brings back memories.
Thanks for bringing it to the front, Terri
and glad you joined up.
and with good advise. that is wonderful.

-----------------------------
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Posted by Steve Stanfield, Member, Ridgecrest, CA:


The trailer before/after pics are unbelieveable! I do things the same way, a little here and a little there as the mood and heat index permit. We just got out 14' Burro, and although it was well-treated by its' last owners, they neglected the exterior somewhat.

Perfectionist that I am, I've already been out there with my car detail box and buffer, getting the oxidation off and figuring how to remove the plexiglas windows so I can ge the scratches out of them too. I don't go to all this trouble to please anyone but myself anyway, so now I have a new toy to play with. :)

As far as needing a digital camera to post pics, it's really not worth the expense and trouble. You can buy a throw-away camera and get the pictures processed onto a CD-ROM anywhere.

I have 4 digital cameras, and we use them all the time, but I still use film, until Kodak finally goes out of business!

-----------------------------
Steve & Tarona Stanfield
14' Burro
Ridgecrest, CA