fiberglass gel coat

[craigb]

I have a 1972 hunter 1 with red gel coat on the top is damaged due to sun and the elements. It has gone black in places and the fiberglass stands are exposed in some areas. What would you recommend to fix it?
Thanks
Craig

[arlon]

Can't "fix" it but I might try covering it with several coats of a good marine grade finish like Valspar or Pettit.

[Carol H]

Sadly Craig if your seeing the fiberglass exposed there isnt much you can do but give it a new top coat (ie paint job). Often the gelcoat gets warn off not by the sun but by someone having put a tarp or something on the trailer that acted like sandpaper in the sun. If it was simple a matter of sun damage you could use a fiberglass marine compound such as one of 3M's products to get rid of the caulkness and bring the shine back.

[arlon]

Ducky RV polish is really good stuff but I think you're past that. Last thing you probably want to do is remove more gelcaot with a polish. I'd just cover it and not do much more than wash it good before painting.

[Darwin Maring]

Sand, Bondo, Sand, Prime, Paint.

[craigb]

Any recommendations for a good paint at reasonable price
Thanks
Craig

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by craigb

Any recommendations for a good paint at reasonable price
Thanks
Craig

Check out this thread. http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ing-57412.html

[Eddie Longest]

How about a bedliner type product if its just on a flat roof? Any comments?
Eddie

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Eddie Longest

How about a bedliner type product if its just on a flat roof? Any comments?
Eddie

Several members have painted their entire trailers with that type of stuff. It just depends on if you're looking for a smooth finish or one that's textured.

[accrete]

At some point...
I am thinking that a reflective type insulating roof paint might be appropriate to apply in the Anti-Trolley roof area of our Parkliner where the MaxxFan roof vent, escape hatch, and future solar panel will be located. I have read good things about the concept such as reducing energy bills (reduced heat due to insulation properties of paint) and long-life of product (~12 year + life).

On the Parkliner's roof this product would only be in the valley and not visible, even though it should be quite nice looking in white.

Has anyone applied such a product? If so which? And are you satisfied with results (lower interior heat, wear, etc?).

Thanks in advance!
Thom

[stevebaz]

Before you go painting it you need to sand and clean it. then mix and brush on some resin over the bare glass. a Couple of coats will do. wait at least 48 hours and then sand and prime for paint if that is what you want to do. Painting exposed glass fiber will come out awful. You need to seal it up first and then sand it smooth. You can even tint the resin to get it close to the trailers color.

[Perry J]

Dicor makes a brilliant white roof coating specifically for Fiberglass.
It's formulated with fiberglass resins and forms a flexible coating that will expand and contract.
I used it on a Scamp several years ago with the same problem you have.
It goes on with a roller and clean up is with soap and water.
It requires 2 coats.
One gallon covers 350 sq. ft.
As I remember it was around $65.00 a gallon.

John

[Donna D.]

I think Craig has disappeared... Last Activity: 04-21-2013 06:44 PM

Come back Craig and tell us what you did for a solution on a red gelcoat trailer....

[MyronL]

For small, spot problem areas I first used Bondo, and then went to a marine supply store, bought gelcoat repair in a can. Had to add white colorant to the gel to reduce the transparency. Took several coatings after this last picture, as I recall. The stuff dries fast.

[craigb]

I will be painting my hunter 1 with brightside this summer will post pic as soon as weather warms up. still snowing in Colorado.

[Donna D.]

Neato! Pictures are on the horizon