Front & Rear Cap Polishing

[B Dubya]

As you can guess, they are both dull and flat. I was working in the house and using some Gel Gloss, and had the idea. So I went down and did a small spot on the front and rear. The fiberglass actually started to look good again. So my question is.....Is there something similar/better that I could polish these with? If I can bring them back, then I'll hit them with a few coats of UV protectant polish. Bugs B Gone!!

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by B Dubya

As you can guess, they are both dull and flat. I was working in the house and using some Gel Gloss, and had the idea. So I went down and did a small spot on the front and rear. The fiberglass actually started to look good again. So my question is.....Is there something similar/better that I could polish these with? If I can bring them back, then I'll hit them with a few coats of UV protectant polish. Bugs B Gone!!

B Dubya,
I'd need to see pics but, based on your description, you've simply got a bit of oxidation. Well, I've done my share of "rubbing out" paint jobs, motor homes, and a lot more. I don't know how handy you are but, through the use of an actual buffer, (not the cheapo ones that are $29.95) at Walmart or, your local auto parts store. Mine is a Dewalt professional model that's used in rubbing out complete paint jobs on cars.

But, if you were to borrow one or, purchase one or maybe even rent one, then get yourself some rubbing compound (liquid type), usually 3M or any maker will do. You do a small area at a time, about 2 square feet. You'll be AMAZED at what kind of results you'll see. You can turn those caps into a mirror with just a bit of practice.

Once they're all done, then a good coat of any automotive wax will work just fine. If you take a look at the pics below, that is my roof on our present coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT. That roof was seriously oxidised. 36' of rubbing out took me a couple of days but, as you can see, it was all worth it.
Scott

[B Dubya]

S - I saw your roof in those pics. Showed them to my wife (since she's the one who's always up there), and we both thought that would be a slip and slide when washing the MH. Come on,,,,,,I bet bird poop rolls right off that roof!!!


PS. I have a Dewalt angle grinder/sander, I would just need to get the buffing attachment. Always worries me tho...........doesn't take much to go too far.

[Scatterbrain]

Originally Posted by B Dubya

.......


PS. I have a Dewalt angle grinder/sander, I would just need to get the buffing attachment. Always worries me tho...........doesn't take much to go too far.

Use a slow speed and a light touch.

[B Dubya]

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

Use a slow speed and a light touch.

Agreed. It's variable speed, so I'll lock the trigger so it can only go so fast. I'm thinking very fine polishing compound, not just rubbing compound.

2nd question - can I remove the ladder in the rear, then just reattach with some silicon sealant around/in/under the screws? Or are they held on with fasteners on the backside of the cap. I can't imagine the latter is the case, but better to ask first!!!

[Scatterbrain]

It may just be screwed into some bits of wood stuck to the backside of the cap. If you're going to take it off and then put it back on I'd use butyl tape under the mounts and seal the screws with silicone. Granted I'd just leave it off and plug the holes but that's just me.

[jergeod]

Stuff called REJEX. In a half hour you can have front and rear done and shining great stuff.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by B Dubya

S - I saw your roof in those pics. Showed them to my wife (since she's the one who's always up there), and we both thought that would be a slip and slide when washing the MH. Come on,,,,,,I bet bird poop rolls right off that roof!!!


PS. I have a Dewalt angle grinder/sander, I would just need to get the buffing attachment. Always worries me tho...........doesn't take much to go too far.

Hey B Dubya,
Whoooooaa!! You may have the actual GRINDER/SANDER, not a buffing machine. I'd have to see a model number or picture. I think mine is very close or, maybe this exact one, I'd have to check the model number against this one:

Dewalt DWP849 7" 9" Electronic Variable Speed Polisher | eBay

Sorry for the long link. There's easier ways to link a link but, I just copied and pasted the address.

Now, if you DO have the right model, then you can use a wool or foam pad. But, again, rubbing compound will work flawlessly. And, while rubbing compound is aggressive, it's not that easy to "burn through" unless you're on a sharp edge or sharper radius where the buffing pad is concentrated on that curve or edge. Then you have to be careful.
Scott

[B Dubya]

Rejex! Sounds like what my wife calls ME.


Yup, I have the grinder, but it IS variable speed. I might give it a whirl (Get it? A whirl? I'm killin' myself!!) I also have my wife's arms. Like Alton Brown says,,,I hate Uni-Taskers. It would be hard to get me to buy something that doesn't have at least 4 or 5 applications!

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by B Dubya

Rejex! Sounds like what my wife calls ME.


Yup, I have the grinder, but it IS variable speed. I might give it a whirl (Get it? A whirl? I'm killin' myself!!) I also have my wife's arms. Like Alton Brown says,,,I hate Uni-Taskers. It would be hard to get me to buy something that doesn't have at least 4 or 5 applications!

B Dubya,
Not sure what the lowest RPM your sander/grinder will go to but, the model I have ranges from about 1100 to about 1800 or so. I run it around 1400 for most of my work. I've done a bit at the 1700 range but, at that speed, it dries the compound too fast and, not only that but, it THROWS much of it all over the place.

If you watch some of the hot rod shows on Saturday, you'll see at the end of a hot rod completion, they rub out the paint and, it's a fairly slow RPM. Just something to think about.
Scott

[Ray,IN]

Gel Gloss was originally made to polish Gel Coat on fiberglass. Great stuff if the finish is not badly oxidized, when it is I use 3M boat hull rubbing compound, then follow with Gel Gloss.