Scamp Fiberglass shine, condition vs Leer Cap

[cookie_c]

I am puzzled. I just rinsed the winter mud and scum off of my 2010 Toyota Tacoma and matching dark green Leer Cap. The Leer cap is 13 years old and made of fiberglass. With just a rince the fiberglass Leer Cap is shiny and new looking. It has NEVER been waxed or polished and yet it looks so much better than the finish on my 2007 Scamp that has been washed, waxed or polished every summer and covered every winter. What does Leer do right on their fiberglass that Scamp does not? I clearly do not understand.

[Jon in AZ]

Dark green means paint. Probably clear coat on top. Scamp is tinted gelcoat, no paint.

Years ago I had an unpainted white fiberglass topper on a truck I owned, and it required frequent waxing just like the Scamp.

[cookie_c]

If painting the fiberglass produces such a better product, why don't they paint Scamps????

[Jon in AZ]

Cost, mainly. Plus it would require a whole new section of the factory with additional workers and equipment. Historically, Scamp tried to keep their operation lean and efficient to keep costs down and weather downturns in the highly cyclical RV market.

None of the major molded fiberglass manufacturers paint their trailers. Tinted gelcoat is the industry standard. Relic (a small volume boutique builder) is one that does, but I’m thinking they may have to because of the way their complex one-piece shell is molded.

From my point of view in Arizona, paint- especially a dark color like green- won’t last as long as gelcoat, and repainting is very expensive.

For an inexpensive, like-new shine on your Scamp with less work, you might want to search old threads about the use of Zep High Gloss Floor Wax instead of regular automotive or marine waxes. I’m thinking about switching over on our 2008 for the next round.

[doctoruv]

My vote is for the Zep High Gloss commercial floor wax. It made my 18 yr old Castia shine like new for 2 years. Much better than car wax.

[starsea]

Might. Be Imron paint. I used it on a motorcycle frame years ago. Always looks brand new.

[theremin]

Corvettes seem to keep their shine for a long time too. A lot of that is just TLC on the part of owners, but I'm sure the expensive paint/clearcoat has a lot to do with it too.

Gelcoat is what it is, and it lasts a long time, but it takes some elbow grease to keep it shiny.

Dave

[David Tilston]

I second the vote for Zep Wet Look.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/zep...ish/1000164304
It's a floor polish. Once your trailer, (or cap) is clean, it's very easy to apply. Depending on where you live it lasts 1 to 3 years. Once it starts to look weathered, it strips off using Zep Heavy Duty Floor Stripper.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/zep...per/1000115778

I understand that the engine cleaner setting at the car wash works as well.

There is a nearly 50 page thread on the subject:
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ell-43004.html

[jerrybob]

I used to wax our Casita.....now I use a product called Bow to Stern.....easy to apply.....makes the trailer and my tow rig shine.......doesn't last as long as a good wax but does last. Water just beads up for months after applying product. I am getting older.....too much work to wax the Casita anymore......I wash it now and apply BTS.....takes about a half hour. No hard rubbing....spray it on....wait a few minutes....wipe it off. My two cents.