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spanky63 · 03-04-2013, 05:36 AM

I am buying my first camper 5th wheel. It is an old one, it is a 1975 but the thing has no leaks anywhere so I am confident it is a good starting unit. It needs some tender loving care which I am willing to provide. The paint is faded and has that chalky look to it. Is there a way to refresh this paint with some wax or something like this or do I have to redo the skin of the unit?

gajd33 · 03-04-2013, 06:00 AM

I have used Meguiar's Marine/RV Fiberglass Restore and it certainly works but it takes serious effort. I imagine anything that requires that kind of improvement does though.

Palpatine · 03-04-2013, 06:17 AM

The way most people restore a chalky finish is to scrub it with Bar Keepers Friend, rinse it VERY well then apply Red Max Pro. But I hear Red Max is no longer available at Lowes or Home Depot but there is a new formula. I don't know how well it works but would assume it would. You can google the process and get the exact steps used. Putting 4 or 5 coats on will make it look like new.

Whatnobeer · 03-04-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gajd33

I have used Meguiar's Marine/RV Fiberglass Restore and it certainly works but it takes serious effort. I imagine anything that requires that kind of improvement does though.

Machines and some elbow grease are your friend.

What gaj has suggested is great, then finish with some good polymer or carnauba wax. The polymer lasts a little longer but the carnauba gives and incredible shine. If you need some tips and tricks I can point you to a few posts I've made on the board regarding detailing along with some of the other good folks in here.

Ray,IN · 03-04-2013, 09:24 PM

Is the skin aluminum or filon (fiberglass N resin)? If it's filon is it painted with gel coat? Each require a different approach.

spanky63 · 03-05-2013, 08:10 AM

The skin on the unit is metal I am pretty sure. I have not seen the unit in person yet but since it is a 75 and from the pics looks like metal.

Ray,IN · 03-06-2013, 09:56 AM

I found the easiest way to remove the paint chalk is to just wash the siding with regular soap, with a few oz of bleach, in 5G water, and a can of cheap scouring powder. I sprinkled scouring powder on the wet sponge and washed lightly so as not to create swirls in the paint from the cleaning action of the powder. When the RV is dry, follow up with a cleaning wax. That was my method when we had an aluminum-skined 5er.