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08-11-2018, 08:20 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Chesterfield, MI
Posts: 39
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Heavy Oxidation - Stud Lines Visible
First let me say that 5 years ago, I bought a Thor Ace 27.1 without knowing a lot. I grew up with campers, but they were all aluminum, so this was the first one with fiberglass construction. In that 5 years, we washed it regularly, but never polished it. We eventually found out that that white stuff is oxidation, and it's gotten to the point that it's probably considered heavy oxidation, so now we need to fix the problem.
It is visible to the point where you can clearly see the outlines of the studs within the RV's exterior walls (apparently the oxidation isn't as bad on top of where the studs are). I used Star Brite RV One Step Cleaner Wax along with an electric polisher. I chose one square foot to test it, and after scrubbing that spot a lot, there is only a slight difference, but the stud outline is still quite visible. And at that rate, it'll take me literally a week to do, with a substandard result at best.
Am I using the wrong stuff? I've read some of the other threads on the subject, but I'm not sure the recommendations are for fairly heavy oxidation. Any recommendations for what deoxidizer to use (or any other ideas) would be greatly appreciated!
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08-11-2018, 10:02 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,425
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The temp differential of the wall ; at the stud line ; causes the different rate of oxidation .
Had the same on my DS. still shows on the decals , Bar Keepers Friend Soft Scrub and several days with a power buffer , got the oxidation off ( it won't work on decals ) then I used Zep floor wax on the coach.
As per this post . Three years later I'm still happy with the results
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/zepd-...er-204728.html
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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08-12-2018, 07:09 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 252
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T Van
I used Meguiars Ultimate Compound, worked very well on very heavy oxidation with a power buffer. Finished with Zep also. Looks new for now, 1 year after finishing. Still a slow process but worth it. 1999 Monaco La Palma.
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08-12-2018, 07:47 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,793
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I have pretty much the same appearance on a 2006 Hurricane. Little oxidation where the studs are leaving shiny 2" stripes. Had some success Meguiar's Ultra Cut Compound followed up with a good quality polish and wax but it's really slow going. I was trying to get away from using Zep (which has worked really well) as both Skip426 and sandwip posted but considering there isn't much gel of the gel coat remaining after 12 years out in the weather I think I might go back to Zep. A detailed wash followed by Zep takes a weekend. Spent a weekend on the front cap with variable speed polisher and the results were not nearly as good as Zep and did not last as long.
And when the purest start posting about UV protection just refer back to this thread - https://www.8thcivic.com/forums/deta...-anything.html from 2011.
Your Ace exterior is more closely related to a fiberglass boat then it is a car unless it has a full body paint. Keeping this in mind. You can't always expect automotive finishing products to return the same results on the coach as you would the daily driver.
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2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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09-05-2018, 07:54 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Avon Lake, Oh
Posts: 2,958
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetbriar
I have pretty much the same appearance on a 2006 Hurricane. Little oxidation where the studs are leaving shiny 2" stripes. Had some success Meguiar's Ultra Cut Compound followed up with a good quality polish and wax but it's really slow going. I was trying to get away from using Zep (which has worked really well) as both Skip426 and sandwip posted but considering there isn't much gel of the gel coat remaining after 12 years out in the weather I think I might go back to Zep. A detailed wash followed by Zep takes a weekend. Spent a weekend on the front cap with variable speed polisher and the results were not nearly as good as Zep and did not last as long.
And when the purest start posting about UV protection just refer back to this thread - https://www.8thcivic.com/forums/deta...-anything.html from 2011.
Your Ace exterior is more closely related to a fiberglass boat then it is a car unless it has a full body paint. Keeping this in mind. You can't always expect automotive finishing products to return the same results on the coach as you would the daily driver.
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I did the zep thing about 6 years ago, touch up yearly. Be forewarned, you will have to strip off and redo after 4-5 years. It turns yellow and cracks.
Had I known the difficulty in stripping, I probably wouldn't do it again..
After I finally got it all off , I bought a six inch handheld orbital buffer polisher and now use Mequires(sp) marine/RV cleaner wax.
Removing the oxidation is easier and less messy than trying to remove the ZEP.
I touch up using any good wash/wax product.
Wash Wax
The Answer
Any spay wipe detail wax
These are great for keeping it shiny between waxes.
__________________
2000 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR
40 FT--330HP CAT
2 SLIDES-TOAD 2012 focus
Fulltime-Home is where we park it.
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09-30-2020, 09:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,441
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McGuires 49, then wax with mcguires 50. Fiberglass wax seals the gelcoat. Car wax won't.
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09-30-2020, 10:12 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 1,950
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Try using a wool pad on your buffer.
__________________
Owners of a 2018 Lance 1995
St.George, UT
Former 02 Intrigue by Country Coach
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09-30-2020, 10:45 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 571
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T_Van
First let me say that 5 years ago, I bought a Thor Ace 27.1 without knowing a lot. I grew up with campers, but they were all aluminum, so this was the first one with fiberglass construction. In that 5 years, we washed it regularly, but never polished it. We eventually found out that that white stuff is oxidation, and it's gotten to the point that it's probably considered heavy oxidation, so now we need to fix the problem.
Am I using the wrong stuff?
I've read some of the other threads on the subject, but I'm not sure the recommendations are for fairly heavy oxidation. Any recommendations for what deoxidizer to use (or any other ideas) would be greatly appreciated!
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As mentioned your motorhome is more like a boat than a car... gelcoat/fiberglass v paint...
My motorhome has a painted finish, but I ran boats out of San Diego for 30+ years....
I always found the 3M fiberglass products, and a good orbital polisher will do the trick. You can use a rotary buffer, and it will go faster, but you need skill/experience to avoid hurting the finish. It's almost impossible to hurt the finish with a random orbiting polisher, but it will take a little more effort..
I've used the 3M polishing/rubbing compounds on very severe oxidation, and have used the 3M restorer/wax on medium to light oxidation. I have had very good results when using a strong orbital polisher, firm pad (cutting pad), and patience..... Ok, and a bit of time and elbow grease...
Try the 3M restorer/wax first, on a small part to see if it will work... if it works, you won't have to go over the motorhome a second time... If you use the 3M polishing/rubbing compound, the fiberglass won't have any "protection" after you're done, and you'll need to go back over with a good fiberglass sealer or paint...
A good marine chandlery (even West Marine) will have a good selection of 3m fiberglass polishing products, more so than any auto parts place...
Here's a random video I found of a demo of the 3M restorer/wax just for your reference..
Good luck..!
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2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3920
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10-01-2020, 07:17 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Rendon, Texas
Posts: 648
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A few years ago I purchased an older fiberglass sailboat. While it was on the hard I wet sanded it with 1500 wet or dry sandpaper then polished with fiberglass polish. Looked great for several years.
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Howard & Elaine
2001 Newmar Dutch Star 4095, CAT 330
2014 SRX toad, M&G breaking, Blue OX Avail
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