How do I get the shine back..

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<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e9f3b7f98201exterior1.jpg/>

This is our newly aquired Trillium..it is a 73..all appliances work..three way fridge,furnace and two burner stove top..it is in great condiction with no rust (good as the CN winters can be bad)..just ugly cushions ..working on this as we speak. We paid $3500.00 CN and tow it with a Jetta TDI. We are booked into the meet at Qualicum Beach on Vancouver island in June and will have all the updating done.

The paint has oxidised..wondering what product works best.

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Try this topic from the archives:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php?TID=1108

Or:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...268&page=1#1387

Or:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/read.php...262&page=1#1328

This last one shows some great before and after pictures from our illustrious moderator Suz. Good description of how she did it as well.

Good Luck

Dave

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Hi David
Great responce for your first post.Welcome to this forum.Post lots and have fun.Great to see you know your way around.:wave

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I used a good quality rubbing compound on my 1977 and it came out like new. It took about 5 rubdowns, and 3 coats of good marine wax.

It's worth the elbow grease to use rubbing compound, the finish on a trillium is cast in the gel-coat, and rubbing compound will bring it back. a good wax will keep it shiny longer between rubdowns.

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Meguiars:

My top was chalky and rough. Used Meguiars #44 'Color Restorer' (it's abrasive like rubbing compound), followed with Meguiars #45 Boat/RV Polish.

Whatever you pick, use something formulated for GELCOAT (not paint) finishes. It'll be easier to apply and better for the finish. :)

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First caution: Be very mindful of decals, etc. Some things will scratch or remove even paint from the metal plates.

I'm sure there are some products that last longer and some that make it easier, however, from my experience, I don't think it matters as much what you use just as long as you are using something.

The real key here is don't just do one coat and say 'Well, that didn't work' and give up. Stick with it until you get your shine back (it may take several weekends). Once you do, it will be a piece of cake to take care of.

It is doubtful that anyone's was more oxidized than mine. Now, all I have to do is wash it and, once in a while, spritz it with ProtectAll and it shines like a dream. Very, very easy to keep clean. I will continue to use wax on it but, for now, I don't feel like I have to wax it everytime I go out side.

Hint. Before you do anything, wash it very well and scrub off as much of the loose as you can. Another thing I discovered right about the time I finished: Acetone. If you are not adverse to using chemicals, acetone will really remove a lot of the chalky oxidation. Poor on a rag and wipe. Not sure one would want to do an entire trailer that way, but it does work.

One thing you will find is that you will have almost as many opinions about this as people who respond. Key is just do it a little bit at a time and you will be greatly rewarded.

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Hi Terri and Steph:

I am about to undertake some polishing on my 73 Boler. I purchased an orbital polisher last week at Canadian Tire, and yesterday, gave it a try with both Starbrite Liquid Rubbing Compound, as well as Gel-Gloss. I am happier with the result with Gel-Gloss. It is designed for fibreglass showers etc. I got mine at Revy.

I may try some Meguire's product, but am interested in restoring the sheen. It will be necessary to cut through the outside layer of gelcoat to expose a new finish. I will then apply a good wax.

I have taken some before shots.

Keep us posted on how you make out.

Rick B

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I have read thru the information I pointed to earlier in this thread, but I have a question about a NEW fiberglass trailer.

What is the best way to KEEP it shiney?

I suspect that most any wax (polish?) that is safe for fiberglass would work. Which ones seem to work best (probably a compromise of ease of application and actual durability)

How does an owner know when he/she has used up the wax (polish) that he/she has previously applied? I realize that the frequency of application will depend much on the environment in which the trailer spends most of its time. This trailer will be outside in the upper midwest for the most part.

Thanks for your help.
Dave

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You could devise a way to get Suz to come and visit, and sneakily have her show you how to do it.
BUT I gotta warn you ,she's pretty sharp. It's not going to be an easy task. I know, cause It tried it and failed.

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Well, I am not averse to doing the waxing myself. After reading Suz's experience, I don't think I would have the stomach to ask her to do it for me, but I might ask her opinion.

What say those who bought new and kept their eggs for a long time?

Dave

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I think they are out camping, David. Maybe we'll get them to talk to us tomorrow. :) I need to know this too. After I get a new Gel Coat put on Buttercup this fall, she will be just like a new one. Oh, is she going to shine.

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David,
What I did after failing to get Suz to do it, was to use 3m polish/cleaner for boats. That cut thru most of the haze.
Then I gave it a couple of nice coats of Meguires paste wax. Wow! What a difference that made. It really shines.
I have to give it another coat this year, then I think I'll use Suz's method of doing a section at a time for keep up.
Oh yeah I almost forgot ,the roof was really gunky so I hit it with
That bathtub scrubbing stuff, Scrubbing bubbles I think it was with a hard little 3m sponge,not the wiry side the sponge side.

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My parents were camping at a park in Texas last month, and some traveling salesman came by hawking a polish that you just wipe the trailer down -- it removed oxidation, cleaned and polished all at once. Dad said their neighbor bought some, and did their 5th wheel with it (fiberglass panel stick built), and it really looked great. He didn't get the name of it, unfortunately. He said their was no buffing or scrubbing involved. I'd like to find some of that stuff!

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Was it NuFinish? It's in a bright orange bottle. It's really easy to wipe off, lasts a long time and you can even (supposedly) use it in direct sunlight. I haven't personally tried it, but my mom uses it on her van. She's been very happy with it. According to the bottle it is safe for fiberglass/RVs.

Liz

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No, it was some proprietary product from some startup company - "not available in any store". Wish I knew more...

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:wave well...found the NU Finish stuff to work pretty good...spent big money on a marine care was and cleaner...looking good...

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Terrie and Steph .. Glad you got some good results! How about posting an "after" picture!

David ... I'm sold on Meguiar's wax products. I've owned three molded fiberglass rigs ... and think the secret is waxing them two or three times a year.

The two I sold, looked as good as the day I bought them new.

Last week, when we pulled into Gulf Islands, someone asked me how I liked my "new" Casita ... they were shocked to find it was two years old, yet it shines like it just came off a showroom floor (and this was after a 1,000 mile drive from Illinois to Florida). I have to admit, however, that I use Mequiar's Quik Detailer spray when I stop for gas to remove the bugs, etc.

Quik Detailer spray really works well on a well-waxed rig. Couple of quick sprays and wipes and it looks like you just wash the rig!

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I'm 5'7", but I must have short arms!:lol How the heck do you wax the top of these eggs? Build scaffolding? I've stood on sawhorses and step ladders, but still can't reach the middle of the top. The only thing I haven't tried is to wrap an extention ladder with some sort of padding and lay it against the trailer, the curved walls make it impossible for me to get close enough to reach some spots.

Thanks in advance for the hints!:wave

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[quote]Orginally posted by Donna D.

I'm 5'7", but I must have short arms!:lol How the heck do you wax the top of these eggs?

Inquiring minds want to know. I was wondering this myself.

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Buy 2 sponge mops

Clean the top, on a step ladder, with one sponge mop.

Dedicate the other to "waxing" the roof.

Buff the wax with a rag wound around the "waxing" mop.

I'm 6"4' ... and can do this with sponge mops with a two-step stool. Some may need a regular step ladder (from which, I can reach the middle ... but then again, I'm tall.)