How to Remove Fiberglass Gel Coat Oxidation on an RV
Numerous products promise "EZ fix" solutions for faded, dulled gel coat RV exteriors. Band-aid ideas are invariably a waste of money, time and energy unless the object is to create a very temporary improvement, for instance to improve appearances for sale. Long-term gel coat restoration involves three distinct processes; it is as much about the proper application of chemistry as it is about elbow grease, although the latter is certainly a major component.
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Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Hand brush
- Pressure washer
- Bleach
- Vehicle shampoo
- Truck wash
- Polishing compound
- Clean rag
- Buffer
- Sealer and applicator
Instructions
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Sweep off the RV roof using a regular yard or workshop broom. Use a hand brush to go over problem areas, taking care to remove all pine-tree needles and similar small debris from areas that can trap such material, such as around the undersides of cowls, over propane exhaust vents and in gutters.
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Use a pressure washer -- you can rent these from most home improvement warehouses -- to wash away dirt and atmospheric deposits. Follow this part of the process by closely inspecting the entire outside of the RV for remaining stains; stains are microscopic contaminants, and must be removed. Use a 3-to-1 dilution of water and bleach to remove mold and mildew. Use purpose-specific vehicle shampoo sold for regular automobiles to lift tree sap and bird waste.
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Wash the entire RV again, this time using a truck-washing product, ideally with anti-spotting agents. Truck wash is available from most auto-parts stores and at truck parts suppliers, most conveniently at the truck stops on major highways. Use the pressure washer once more to rinse the vehicle, then allow it to dry.
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Polish the vehicle with polishing compound. The process of compound polishing abrades away some of the peaks in the surface of the gel coat, and lifts oxidization from the valleys between them. This not only cleans, but leaves a smoother surface profile that discourages future oxidization. Follow the directions on the compounding product precisely; typically this involves working only on a small area at a time, first applying a specific amount of compound to the area with a cloth, then using a buffer to polish that area until the compound either changes color, goes from a glossy to a flat appearance, or disappears entirely from the top of the gel coat.
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Compound-polish small patches until you have treated the entire vehicle. Be careful when overlapping one treatment area's edge over another that the "seam" is not compounded twice; this can remove too much gel coat and leave a checkerboard series of lines along the RV.
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Apply a co-polymer sealer to block future oxidation. The sealer must contain a UV blocker, and must be of a type that penetrates into the gel coat, closing surface pores. Again, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully; use a provided or recommended applicator to "wipe" the sealant onto the RV in long, unbroken lines. To avoid overlap streaking, apply the sealant using the "wet edge" method: make a pass with the sealer's applicator, and immediately make another one above or below it, or to the left or right, depending on the direction you are working, until an entire area as delineated by body parts or a raised seam is completed.
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Tips & Warnings
The sealing process is typically completed in several separate application/dry cycles. Most manufacturers recommend no less than five coats, and then only warranty that the restored look will last a season at best. The more coats of sealant you apply, the longer the restoration will resist decay.
References
Resources
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