Preserving Casita fiber glass finish

[semaj38]

About 3 years ago I read a post on treating the outside with a product called RedMax acrylic floor coating. The poster had success with the process so I tried it. It did an outstanding job of preserving the like new shine. It was recommended that it be recoated every 2 years or so. It's been 3 years and the coating has become mottled, with some spots completely worn off and others still looking good. My question is: What do I use to strip off the old coating as I want to recoat it again. I still have the original RedMax material, however when I tried to find the RedMax stripper, it is no longer available. The company was bought out by ZepCo. I tried the ZepCo stripper recommended on their website but it does not remove the old coating. I tried laquer thinner, and it does take the coating off, but it is a very long and difficult process as the laquer thinner dries very quickly and leaves a sticky residue. There has to be an easier way!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The camper is kept inside except when on a camping trip. 1995 Casita Freedom Help!!! Thanks

[Tom Trostel]

I gave up trying to strip the old coat. I washed very well and dryed. Then I started reapplying RedMax. It only took 2 or 3 thin coats where the original shine was good. It took 5 coats where the original had worn off. Now looks just like 4 years ago.

[Mikmay]

Jim first thing is do not use lacquer thinners on the fiberglass unless nessasary to remove small spots of paint residue or overspays. The zep floor stripper should easily remove the zep or red max finish if done properly as I have removed the finish on my trailers many times.aply the stripper in small sections at a time giving it a little time to desolve the finish use a sponge scrub pad to remove the old finish and rinse . You can also bypass all of these steps by wet sanding the old finish with 600 grit wet sandpaper removing the loose finish and just reapplying a new coat of zep high gloss finish as I just did on the trillium and it's good to go for another year or two . The trillium I just refinished looks as good as the first time I did it .

[David B.]

Years ago I saw a post where they stated that if you use the "engine & tire" setting at the local self car wash, let it soak, then wash, the Red Max will strip off. I haven't tried this to see if it works.
Dave & Paula

[WaltP]

I use Poly glow rather than RedMax and the Poly glow kit comes with a stripper that should work on the Red Max. Pretty sure it's available separately.

Walt

[semaj38]

<_< It's been a busy year and not much camping. I finally got out to my shop and went to work on the Casita to remove the Redmax(Poly Glo). See my post from May 5 2015. After reading Mikmay's response, I went back and actually read the directions on the Zep floor stripper jug and guess what? I worked perfectly, I did a small patch, say 4/4', used a sponge/scratch pad from the kitchen and then sprayed it off with my carwash pressure washer(small electric one, 1500psi). It is back to the original pure white and even the tree sap stains are gone! Now, back to recoating it and following the directions. (Some folks are slow learners!) we are looking forward to a full camping year in 2016. We hope to meet some of you on the road this year! Thanks for all the good advice and help. Jim

[partslady9]

I need to wash the dust off to see how well the the wax job has lasted. What do I use for soap in my bucket to start with?
Elaine

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by partslady9

I need to wash the dust off to see how well the the wax job has lasted. What do I use for soap in my bucket to start with?
Elaine

I use car wash soap that is designed to remove dirt but leave the wax.

[partslady9]

Thanks, car wash soap it will be, thought El Nino might do the job but think that has passed by southern CA.
Elaine

[Joe Romas]

Floor stripper works great but you have to keep it wet and then when it's soft wash it off. If it dries you'll need to reapply the stripper.

ZEP was the original manufacturer of Red Max and they just changed the packaging.