Gelcoat vs. Filon

[cobikeman]

I am looking at an 04 Excel. It appears to be in really nice condition, about the only negative I can see is the exterior is chalky and the decals are peeling. The decals don't faze me, I'll take em off and paint them on, but I know nothing about filon. Another post talks about buffing it back up and getting satisfactory results. But is filon a deal breaker? Is it that much worse than gelcoat?

Thanks in advance,
Bikeman

[Luv2go]

http://www.cranecomposites.com/RV/GIII.asp is the mfr page for Filon, it is simply a brand of gelcoated panel lots of RV manufacturere use.

My experience with Filon sidewalls is when they chalk up you can buff them and get at least some shine back, however the two I had to deal with (one 5 yr old at the time, the other 10 yr old) needed TLC for a couple of years to keep their shine. After buffing the oxidation off, I'd recommend a good gelcoat polish (I use Gel-Gloss)

I wold not consider it a deal-breaker unless the walls are delaminating, which is a whole other can of worms (http://www.google.com/search?q=delam...h=www.irv2.com is a search of Irv2.com and http://forum.doityourself.com/all-tr...eperating.html is more info on delamination, in case you want to know what to look for.

Good luck!
Stewart

[Jim Stewart]

Filon can come with gelcoast surface as well. Here is link to Crane Composites a major manufacturer of panels formerly used in the RV industry. They were the company that had several class action lawsuits for delamination and were blamed by ALFA for their demise. There ad is only good to learn a little about RV surfaces, not their product.

http://www.cranecomposites.com/PDFs/65117_fil_lit.pdf

[Jim Stewart]

Looks like we posted at almost the same time. Well, what he said!

[cobikeman]

Thanks for the informative replies. I will go see the unit tomorrow well prepared. Will let you know what it looks like when I get back.

Thanks!

[allendp]

I have had good success removing oxidation from fiber glass finish such as Gelcoat on boats and RVs with 3M cleaner/polish that you can purchase in the boating sectiuon at Walmart. I have used just hand buffing and machine buffing depending on how bad the surface is oxidized. Putting a coat of 303 Aerospace liquid polish on it after cleaning will protect it from futher UV damage.

[gearman]

Our 2000 5th has filon exterior, and the boat has gel coat. The boat cleans up much nicer. But the trailer still looks good, just has fibers in the finish coat.

Gel coat looks better, thats all.

[FiverBob]

I have had Filon on two rigs. One of them I had for about 7 years. After 5 years or so the fibreglass threads started showing bad and would mildew no matter what I put on for a finish. I would have to periodically wash the finish with a strong detergent to remove any wax residue, then wash it down with a rather strong bleach solution. Then, I would repolish and wax. I would sure opt for gelcoat any day.
Bob

[gearman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiverBob I have had Filon on two rigs. One of them I had for about 7 years. After 5 years or so the fibreglass threads started showing bad and would mildew no matter what I put on for a finish. I would have to periodically wash the finish with a strong detergent to remove any wax residue, then wash it down with a rather strong bleach solution. Then, I would repolish and wax. I would sure opt for gelcoat any day. Bob

Man, your not suppose to sand the finish down to expose the fibers!!

If you keep a good coat of wax on, I think you will not get mildew?!?!

Agree that gel coat is preferred, but filon should not be a deal breaker.

[FiverBob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearman Man, your not suppose to sand the finish down to expose the fibers!! If you keep a good coat of wax on, I think you will not get mildew?!?! Agree that gel coat is preferred, but filon should not be a deal breaker.

Sand the finish???? DUH. Who said that????

Note that I said no matter what I put on it, they still mildewed. This included paste boat wax. Nothing would stop except bleach. I have the same thing on the entry door of my fiver - - hate it. When I have some time, this door is going to be painted.

Course, if everything were perfect, I might have too much time on my hands.

[diandtom]

I am starting to see hairline cracks in the filron on the sides of our Arctic Fox. The cracks are along to top and by the steps. It is a 2003 with over 40K miles towing. I am not sure if this is a problem or not.
Tom