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homeless · 09-08-2015, 06:56 AM

I have a 2000 Itasca with a fiberglass roof. It has a white smooth service. I had an old rig that had a fiber glass roof and it looked like fiberglass and it also got fibers on my legs when I crawled over it.

My question is I read about Gel Coat and wonder is this what the white smooth surface is? is that what runs off my roof? Is it suppose to do this? Can I scrub it too much? Am I suppose to seal it with wax or some other product like Zip? Will it always run down the sides? Is the Gel Coat suppose to be self cleaning?

TDI-Minnie · 09-13-2015, 05:59 PM

Gel coat is basically just a clear, smooth finish on top of the fiberglass. It needs wax, especially on the roof! If you neglect it, it will oxidize and break down. That is the white stuff you'll see on the side of the camper after it rains. Rubber roofs will do this too.
Makes a mess!

Wash it very well and then apply some wax. I use Meguiar's #50 RV/Marine cleaner wax for regular maintenance, but if it's already in bad shape you may want to research online for some restoration products.

sailors35 · 09-16-2015, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homeless

I have a 2000 Itasca with a fiberglass roof. It has a white smooth service. I had an old rig that had a fiber glass roof and it looked like fiberglass and it also got fibers on my legs when I crawled over it.

My question is I read about Gel Coat and wonder is this what the white smooth surface is? is that what runs off my roof? Is it suppose to do this? Can I scrub it too much? Am I suppose to seal it with wax or some other product like Zip? Will it always run down the sides? Is the Gel Coat suppose to be self cleaning?

I have owned fiberglass sailboats for 30 years. Gelcoat needs to be cleaned and waxed at least once a season. Wash with a good soap made for fiberglass, then wax with a suitable product which has UV inhibitors. If it is badly oxidized (the white stuff on your hand when you run your hand across it) then there is a product from 3M called Fiberglass Wax and Restorer that will remove the oxidation while adding a layer of wax.