gelcoat

[bronson]

1998 travel supreme, needs new gelcoat, any experience with this ?

[dickschaak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronson 1998 travel supreme, needs new gelcoat, any experience with this ?

If it is not worn through, just dull, you can use brown 3M compound with a high speed buffer. (2500 rpm). When the shine comes back, use 3M Finesite to remove the fine scratches. Then use a good polish and wax.

[Nick-B]

Hi Bronson and

Did someone tell you that you needed new gelcoat or is the finish simply dull? Also, is your siding actually gelcoat or Filon which has visible fibers under the surface?

If it is Filon then buffing won't make a big difference. If it is gelcoat and it is only lightly dull then buffing (a big job!) would work to restore the shine. If it is completely dull and oxidized, then buffing won't get you anywhere.

You might want to Search the MANY posts on the forum concerning RedMax Pro floor wax. If you are just looking to restore the shine, it might really be what you are looking for. This thread will get you started.
Red Max Pro #3 Question

[Algoma]

Just done my coach with ZEP Wet Look Floor Finish (Home Depot $25 a gallon). This is similar to Red Max from Lowes which is hard to find. 1 gallon did 4 coats on the roof and all 4 sides. This works particularly well on vinyl decals and seals the gelcoat stopping those white streaks. Coach looks new.

[Steve N Sal]

If it's gelcoat like on the front and rear cap some wet sanding will do the trick. I worked over my FIL front cap on the coach last summer with three grades of paper finishing with 2000 applied a little rubbing compound and finished with some NuFinish. When it was done he nor I could believe the results. It looked brand new. I later found out instead of the sand paper you can use a white colored Scotchbrite pad that you can purchase at an automotive store that handles paint along with some BarKeepers Friend (cleanser product)that I've seen at WalMart and get the same results. Then apply the compound and wax/polish. With the way I did it, really I coulnd't believe how it looked from before and after.

[rlawson]

We have a 99 Fleetwood and the gel coat is pealing off. Tried wet sanding and various other things to blend it in... no luck... I suspect I'll have to have it stripped and a new coat put on it if I want to go that far...

[Nick-B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlawson We have a 99 Fleetwood and the gel coat is pealing off...

WOW, I've never heard of gel coat peeling off. It is normally a very hard and brittle surface. Are you sure what you are seeing is gel coat and not paint? Either way, something serious is happening. Good luck getting it squared away.

[Shardan1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronson 1998 travel supreme, needs new gelcoat, any experience with this ?

We had our 2002 TS repainted when the gelcoat started to peel. It started on the PS near the top. Mostly from extreme sun exposure without being waxed. We were the 2nd owner. We took it to Precision Painting RV in Bremen IN

[KIX]

For those of you that describe sanding and multi-stage restoration products to "re-shine" gelcoat...........there is a better way. Lot's easier to buff using Aqua Buff 2000 paste and mix in some Star Brite Marine Polish so the buffing pad will not grab. Those of us in the boating world (LOTS of fiberglass) living in the sun belt use this method to restore chalked gelcoat in a one-step process. Gelcoat is gelcoat whether on a boat or a motorhome.