I do car detailing and my cars have to look perfect new all the time. That has to go the same for my trailer. Got a used trailer inside was like new and I think this trailer sat unused for a few years in the sun.
Now I need to get the oxidation off this used trailer we just bought. I tried regular Mcquires for cars clearcoat cleaner compound on a 3000 rpm polishing wheel. Not good enough.I ordered through Amazon McGuires RV 3 step oxidation compound, polish and wax. Fiberglass is a tougher finish then clearcoat and this Oxidation compound is designed to cut through and really remove all the garbage and oxidation built on the finish. It restored my dull slightly off white finish back to bright white and very shiny. As well as me tired, But its well worth the effort.
Their may be more pricey 3M products that may cut the oxidation better, faster .............but my experience is with this product. If you have very heavy oxidation you may have to go over a section over a few times to cut and remove years of neglect. But if Gel coat is still good and you want to restore your RV keep at it, Its not an easy job. But if you had someone do it for you its could cost you a couple thousand to do it right. Its a long process . But you can achieve the end result with right high speed machine, right pad not to burn and right kind of Compound. More so the time to keep at the job.
(UPDATE June 2013) I recently bought a used motorhome and went through the same process as I did with trailer in this original review from 2 years ago, JUST like the trailer it brought back the shine to new. I did discover that using the machine and just the McGuires fiberglass restorer compound. The wax in kit is great stuff but I find myself going back to a wax call Protect-all RV wax I used it for many years and following up with The Protect-all wax even brought and held the luster a long time plus the wax has UV inhibitors in it so it is a complete wax for any fiberglass or car finish. Tried McGuires Flagship wax too, makes it sparkle but it goes on heavy and comes off harder leaves a film if you don't keep changing to new towels!!!!!!!!!!! Once you get your finish back the Protect-all is all you need to keep it that way forever as long as ya do it once or twice a year. Protect-all goes on easy comes off easy leaves high long lasting shine
WARNING!........Their is nothing that will work without the right tools, time, strength and energy involved in taking on this big a surface on 29 ft RV with slide outs. You need a polishing wheel ( Not an orbital buffer they are not powerful at all. I tried the dual action kind they are easier to control but I like the speed of reg car polisher and prefer the 10 lb 7 inch 3000 rpm wheel using McGuires medium cut raspberry colored foam pad.This item: Meguiar's 7" Soft Buff 2.0 Foam Cutting Pad by Meguiar's $10.29 on Amazon......... Made just for taking oxidation and swirl morks safely out of the fiberglass and car finishes. Here is URL with polisher I bought on Amazon and have used this buffer on many cars for past 4 years and it has held up very well.....http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M5ZXDM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I started on the full molded fiberglass cap front. IT had a dull SATIN LIKE white finish on it very minimal shine. After applying the compound with 3000 rpm wheel, polish then wax Its as shiny as a new trailer or a new bathroom tub at Lowes.
LET ME TELL YOU THE SHINE JUST AFTER USING THE COMPOUND IS AMAZING! IT works as its advertised. Then you follow up with the polish on a rag and wipe it off right away. Polish takes off any film left by compound and adds oils back to finish. They have a pure wax but it has no UV blockers in it so I went back to what I used and loved for years on trailer---Protect all wax.Lack of UV blockers is what oxidizes the unit.
Its a very hard job. I would say I would charge 500.00 plus to do someone else s but would never take on someone else s unit.Takes per side about 4 hrs but I have to stop because it will wear you out holding polisher tightly and letting wheel and compound do its job.Its a good workout. But the end results are well worth the time. My trailer had medium oxidation, but people who used it that claim they started with a chalky finish have had the same end results based on the reviews I read on Amazon.I AM sure with a BAD OXIDIZED chalky finish you will need to constantly clean the oxididation it removes off the pad.But years of not cleaning and waxing require the pain staking process that goes along with removing all the dead finish to get down to fresh.
Please note.......... My trailer is 5 years old and though it was oxidized some but a dull shine was still apparent, I knew the gel-coat seemed still good. If your unit has been neglected for say 10 years or more it may be possible that the oxidation has gone beyond the Gel-coat finish which gives the fiberglass its shine. If so, Your really have nothing to shine back up. 3 part restorer will remove the oxidation then the polish and wax will add oils back to finish but without the high gloss shine if the gel-coat is gone. Also the dullness may return as the oils dry out over the following weeks of months depending on fiberglass gel coat in bad condition. I would try a small section on an older unit and see if you get that desired shine before spending your efforts to restore the entire unit. If that is the case their are other polymer finishes that coat over the dead finish once you clear off dead oxidation and create a new shiny type coating that they claim will hold a nice shine back to old finish. I am sure you can see them on the net. People seem to like these products as well. I would only consider going that route if you indeed do not have a chance of restoring the gelcoat. At that point you have nothing to lose but you will have to reapply that polymer finish every year. But it seems easy as waxing the whole unit. But at least you still have an option.
Tip.... For cleaning deep dirt on caulking I care-full use lac-quire thinner on a small clean rag just folded to touch the caulking only. The thinner will melt the top layer of caulk every so slightly and remove the dirt instantly. Let it dry and then follow over the area with the wax, the wax will remove the film left behind and leave you trailer caulk look like new again. This item: Meguiar's 7" Soft Buff 2.0 Foam Cutting Pad by Meguiar's $10.29 effect the fiberglass Wont work if caulk is silicone.Try on small area out of site 1st to see results on your unit.
| Manufacturer | Meguiar's |
|---|---|
| Brand | Meguiar's |
| Model | Meguiar's Marine/RV Fiberglass Restoration System |
| Item Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 12 x 12 x 9.25 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | M4965 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
| Manufacturer Part Number | M4965 |
| OEM Part Number | MEGM4965 |
