Community Forums

RanCarr · 09-26-2013, 09:58 PM

Barkeeper's Friend cleaner...
We just finished doing Old Stinky with BKF and it did a great job on the fiberglass, removing all dirt and stains and leaving it ready for the ZEP. Even with almost no shine it looks so much better.

The roof is still leaking after a year of several things DH tried. The water still comes in around the bedroom ceiling vent and light (right next to each other) but is not coming in from around the vent itself. It's running along the inside of the ceiling from the sides and dripping from the lowest point... the middle of the ceiling. We have this RV all this time and have yet to get to a CG with it.

We took it to a RV shop to have the new awning installed and have the genny fixed. It's working OK now. But it looks like we need a new battery now.

Ray,IN · 10-02-2013, 08:05 AM

re: still leaking. It is never too late to have the SealTech leak detection system used to locate any and all leaks in the MH. When our previous RV was new it had a leak. The dealer used the SealTech system to locate the source, which was over 20' from where it was dripping onto the carpet. Continuing, they found 3 more tiny, as yet undiscovered, leaks. That was 2005, we never had another water leak during our 8 years of use.
Bar Keepers Friend and Comet cleanser are both somewhat like fine rubbing compound, I've used both with good results.

Jeasen · 10-05-2013, 09:20 AM

I have been working on my 2350 Phoenix Cruiser with Bar Keepers Friend getting ready for the ZEP finish. I could not wait until I was ready to use the ZEP finish on the motorhome (many caulked seems to clean out and recaulk) so I tried it on the fiberglass spare tire cover. I used several light coats (more than 4) to get the finish I was looking for and all I can say is WOW. Once cleaned with the BKF the spare tire cover started out with a dull white finish and now it shines and looks like new. Each coat goes on very easy and only takes a few minutes to do. The hard part of the job is the cleaning and preparation. You will know when you are finished applying the ZEP finish by how the finished product looks, you will just know when you are finished applying light coats of the ZEP. BTW, I purchased the more expensive wet look ZEP finish from Home Depot.

The looks of my spare tire cover is amazing. It looks like new. I am just about ready to start applying the ZEP to the motorhome and I am sure that it will look just as amazing as the spare tire cover. Now we will see how the finish lasts when exposed to the weather. I am sorry that I do not have inside storage for my PC but it has weathered the 14 years since manufactured rather well. Now with the work I am doing I am hoping that it will weather several more years just as well. Even if I have to add another coat or two of the ZEP next year it will be no big deal.

Good luck with your job and I hope your outcome is as good as mine. Jeasen

RanCarr · 10-07-2013, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

re: still leaking. It is never too late to have the SealTech leak detection system used to locate any and all leaks in the MH.

I looked at the locations and none are near us. What did you pay to have it done? Can we wait while it's done?

Quote:

When our previous RV was new it had a leak. The dealer used the SealTech system to locate the source, which was over 20' from where it was dripping onto the carpet. Continuing, they found 3 more tiny, as yet undiscovered, leaks. That was 2005, we never had another water leak during our 8 years of use.
Bar Keepers Friend and Comet cleanser are both somewhat like fine rubbing compound, I've used both with good results.

I noticed it was like Comet but it seems to contain some kind of wax and Comet doesn't.

Today it rained hard, very hard and we drove through it... no leaks. The last thing he did was replace a cracked vent cover and seal around it. I'm afraid to hope that that was where the leak was. I hope he goes ahead and lobs on another coat of the mobile Home roof tar. It doesn't get stiff and crack like a lot of products.

RanCarr · 10-07-2013, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeasen

I have been working on my 2350 Phoenix Cruiser with Bar Keepers Friend getting ready for the ZEP finish. I could not wait until I was ready to use the ZEP finish on the motorhome (many caulked seems to clean out and recaulk) so I tried it on the fiberglass spare tire cover. I used several light coats (more than 4) to get the finish I was looking for and all I can say is WOW.

ZEP is unbelievable!

It changed our RV into a different RV altogether. She looks 15 years younger.

We did 4 coats over 3 days and she shines like new. I mean really shines. It even made the window trim shine like new. This is some really good stuff.

Quote:

Once cleaned with the BKF the spare tire cover started out with a dull white finish and now it shines and looks like new. Each coat goes on very easy and only takes a few minutes to do. The hard part of the job is the cleaning and preparation.

You are so right. We both had sore muscles from the BKF. But we took our time and got her done, prepped.

Whoever owned this Dutchman totally neglected it for many years but oddly enough, the inside was clean, nothing badly worn out or stained and the oven never used. We regret removing the carpet. We should have just shampooed it. It was the only thing that wasn't spick-and-span clean though it did show some wear. It was also damp from the leaks. It's like the people just used it to sleep in and not spend much time in.

Quote:

You will know when you are finished applying the ZEP finish by how the finished product looks, you will just know when you are finished applying light coats of the ZEP. BTW, I purchased the more expensive wet look ZEP finish from Home Depot.

The looks of my spare tire cover is amazing. It looks like new. I am just about ready to start applying the ZEP to the motorhome and I am sure that it will look just as amazing as the spare tire cover. Now we will see how the finish lasts when exposed to the weather.

That's what I'm wondering too. How long will it last. This stuff seems too good to be true. We also bought the more expensive one. The summer sun can be pretty brutal here in TN and the winters cold, drizzly and with snow flurries.

Quote:

I am sorry that I do not have inside storage for my PC but it has weathered the 14 years since manufactured rather well. Now with the work I am doing I am hoping that it will weather several more years just as well. Even if I have to add another coat or two of the ZEP next year it will be no big deal.

Good luck with your job and I hope your outcome is as good as mine. Jeasen

Our outcome is fantastic.

We wouldn't mind redoing it in a year. That first coat was the hardest as it seemed like the fiberglass just sucked it in. The 3rd and 4th coats went on much faster and easier.

tom41 · 10-07-2013, 05:30 PM

I also just did the zep finish on my 98 31ft class c about 3 weeks ago. I was totally amazed at how it shined! I am glad to have read all the posts on this. and it really cleans up much easier. Bugs and sap just almost washes off without hard brushing

RanCarr · 10-08-2013, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom41

I also just did the zep finish on my 98 31ft class c about 3 weeks ago. I was totally amazed at how it shined! I am glad to have read all the posts on this. and it really cleans up much easier. Bugs and sap just almost washes off without hard brushing

It's amazing what you can learn from these forums. As for the ZEP, our sunroom floor has grown dull over the years. Before replacing it we're going to strip it of any old finish it has left and apply a few coats of ZEP.

The floor in the Class-C is that rough pressed wood stuff with grain running every which way. Nothing will stick to it. I painted it with porch and deck enamel but it doesn't look that good. Dirt gets in the groves and wont come out.... and the edges of the old carpet show around the walls and bottom of the cabinets.

Knagy2688 · 10-08-2013, 09:34 AM

I am a new RV owner and am trying to determine the best way to clean and bring back the shine of my 2007 Winnebago Outlook. The previous owners left it in the sun too long and we have some discoloration on one side. Am I reading this correct. Barkeepers friend on the exterior followed by Zep floor polish. Please help a rookie. Thanks.

tom41 · 10-08-2013, 11:13 AM

Knagy2688...good info here on what we talking about..Refurbishing Fiberglass RV Finish- Red Max - Good Old RVs

RanCarr · 10-08-2013, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knagy2688

Am I reading this correct. Barkeepers friend on the exterior followed by Zep floor polish. Please help a rookie. Thanks.

Yes! ZEP may have other names (like Red Max) in different stores, but it's basically the same stuff.

Jeasen · 10-10-2013, 09:46 AM

I finally got the recaulking finished and have 3 coats of the Zep high gloss wet look finish applied to one side and the rear of my Phoenix Cruiser 2350. With the new caulking and the new shiny finish thanks to the Zep floor wax the old PC looks as close to new as possible. It is a 1999. The old silicone caulking turned dark gray and really looked bad. I cleaned away the old caulking and recaulked everything with GE white silicone caulking. My motorhome is white and it really looks good.

I am not smart enough to be able to post pictures of the before and after, so everyone will just have to take my word for it, it looks great.

The only thing I have to say that is a negative is that if you have any delamination it really sticks out on the shiny surface. Much more noticeable than on a dull white surface. I knew it was there and it does not have anything to do with the Zep. I am not unhappy at all but I thought I would just point it out to everyone.