Community Forums

JWLSC · 02-03-2013, 08:44 PM

I just purchased a 2000 Fleetwood Southwind 36Z. The motor coach needs some TLC. I will be replacing the flooring in the spring and giving the exterior a good cleaning. I have been able to learn allot from reading the postings on various problems.

My question is about the exterior finish. Does anyone know if If I have a gel finish or painted. It looks to be a mix of both. I want to be sure I use the right cleaning products on the different surfaces. The exterior is dull and the graphics are faded and cracked some. I cleaned one of the storage doors with some rubbing compound and it turned my pad completely black, I finally got it looking nice and shiny again. So there seems to be hope.

Any help in determining what to do to clean up the exterior would be great.

Thanks
John

Poptop · 02-03-2013, 09:13 PM

You have a gel coat finish. Part of that has been painted and of course there are the ever fading vinyl tape stripes. As I recall the full body paint wasn't common place on Fleetwood products for another 4 or 5 years. On my previous MH I used rubbing compound/cleaner on the gel coat and on the painted surfaces followed by a polish. Nothing I tried seemed to help the tape, which was later removed and the stripes were painted on.

justimagination · 02-03-2013, 09:49 PM

Welcome and could not have said it any better than POPTOP........wash it really good with some carwash product (WalMart) carries a full line. I would stay away from rubbing compound, JMHO. Gelcoat just don't have the gloss like a painted surface. If you can live with a little curling on the stripes, keep the cost down and just polish as best you can. Very expensive to start removing and painting. Megurie's makes a good cleaner and poilsh that I use on my Southwind. Good luck/Travel safe.
david g.

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-04-2013, 04:36 AM

Welcome to IRV2. You've gotten some good advice. Enjoy.
Cliff

JWLSC · 02-04-2013, 04:56 AM

Any specific products to use. Can I use just any automotive rubbing compund or should I use a fiberglass specific like Meguiars #67. Can I use the same cleaner for the painted Fiberglass as I do the gelcoat(I think that is what they call the unpainted figerglass). I have not looked real close but are the storage doors fiberglass or metal.

Thanks
John

Clayobx · 02-04-2013, 09:27 AM

John, I would not use the automotive rubbing compounds on the gel coat and certainly Not on the painted surface. This is better left to the body paint specialist. However, their is a buffing polish, very fine solution, made by turtle wax or McQuires that will work with a lot of elbow grease. In our 03 Excursion, we removed the decals, a lot of work, some of the surface under the decals lifted necessitating body filler and sanding to even the surface. We then found a sign shop with a laser printer to duplicate the decals.. Had the sign shop professionally install the decals just like new. Your bay doors are most likely painted aluminum. Best of luck!