If you cant pull the fibers away from the surface with a pair of tweezers, its called imprinting. Nowhere is that more obvious than when your RV fiberglass begins to oxidize. If youre looking for a color restoring and oxidation removing product that really works this is it! There really isnt any secret to cleaning moderately faded or dull fiberglass, you just need some elbow grease and something to remove the oxidation such as a polishing compound or other accepted liquid abrasive. However, while cleaning your RV, unlike your home, you have to be extra careful, especially if the body of your RV is, Since fiberglass is incredibly durable and makes sure to keep the RV lightweight, it also tends to protect your recreational vehicle when you are driving it on a bumpy road and, You cannot just apply an oxidation remover and hope it will remove oxidation from RV fiberglass. Do not apply too much force, or else you will end up damaging the RV paint. As the pool filled, we scrubbed the sides like crazy and had white milky water. No matter what is used for polishing the surface, it still looks dull. The polish is a good oxidation remover for RV as it works to remove swirl marks and locks that shine for months, while the additive will help extend the life of the polish. The oxidation should be removed and the boat will have a shiny finish. Now, be very attentive and use the coarse sandpaper with extreme care, so you dont end up scraping the fiberglass. My RVs blue color has faded over the years. Scrub it lightly with a soft sponge and lather through the stain. If you are using the best quality degreasing, it will sit quickly; however, if you are using a low-quality degreasing solution, wait patiently to let it sit. Unlike other oxidation removers that are liquid, this one is in powder form. Your camper will look brand new with this product. If youve owned a fiberglass RV or camper for any number of years, then youve more than likely noticed it lose its shine. Why We Should Use Solar Panels for RV? These can be polished. In this page we describe why boats become
For the unfamiliar, a fiberglass gel coat is the finish on your fiberglass, usually based on an epoxy. An RV wash and wax product is a good choice. My only problem with this particular oxidation product is its small size. FAQs Q1: Will vinegar remove oxidation from fiberglass? The most important part otherwise will be to apply gentle, even, and consistent pressure while sanding your fiberglass RV. Vertglas #1 Oxidation Remover. Aaron and his wife Evelyn have lived on the road since 2017, traveling the country in their Keystone Fuzion. Wet sand the fiberglass with gentle pressure Generally speaking, you want to hand sand your RV rather than use a power sander. If you have answered yes, it is insisted on keeping on reading the post. Sunlight and air combine to oxidize the gelcoat surface, fading it and making the surface cloudy. Workers may be harmed from exposure to fibrous glass. It is perfect for removing minor oxidation on your fiberglass surface. I also keep up with the newest RVing gadget innovations so that I can promptly evaluate and recommend the best options. If your rig has moderate to extreme oxidation, this product from Boaters Edge can help solve your problem, if youre not averse against a little elbow grease. Washing and waxing an RV is a big job. buffing pads. The same type of thing will eventually happen to the gel coat on your RV, especially if your RV is exposed to the elements. a cleaner wax. keep them looking good. If your RV has a fiberglass body and gel coated, use a wax designed for gel coated fiberglass. I do not want to dump toxic chemicals onto the ground or bodies of water, making this product one of the eco-friendliest oxidation removers. Its made so that each bottle is 16oz, which means you get more coverage for your RV. If you decide to wet sand your fiberglass RV to remove oxidation, these are the step youll want to follow: Prep the sandpaper It is vital that you use sandpaper of around 2,500 grit for light oxidation and 1,200-1,500 only for heavier oxidation.You also must put it in a bucket of water with a bit of automotive soap and let it sit for 24 hours. Apart from that, there are a few ways to remove oxidation from fiberglass boats. Regardless of the oxidation remover you use, always make sure to try it first in a small inconspicuous area as a test. Either way, apply the RV wax in a circular motion on the intended area. For larger vehicles you may decide to develop an application schedule. Now, once your RV is dried out completely, its time to apply polish on the fiberglass surface. Heavier oxidation on RV finish also needs more polishing. Camper FAQs is reader-supported. Of course, I would clean it up and buff it some from time to time. Leave it for a day or two to see how the decals and the finish react with the product you used. Fourthly, if you think the fiberglass surface has become smooth, it means you can now stop sanding it. MS GelCoat Sealer is a copolymer sealer that lasts all season and stops oxidation completely. If the answer is yes, then following section #2 will provide the steps needed to correct the situation. This is because the gelcoat surface has microscopic pits and crevices in it from oxidation. On the other hand, corrugated fiberglass needs a polishing compound with enough amounts of strong elements to remove oxidation on the corrugations. This is because the gelcoat surface has microscopic pits and crevices in it from the oxidation, even after you have rubbed off the oxidized layer. When removing mild oxidation from the RV, apply the degreasing agent to the fiberglass surface, and rub it gently. If your RV badly needs restoration, this product will help you achieve fantastic results in no time! So, how to remove oxidation from RV fiberglass through wet sanding? Vinyl letterings and decals also complement this exterior. I recommend parking your motorcycle in a shaded area. other products normally take two to three applications before I could get rid of any stain or discoloration. Fiberglass gel coat, which is the most common type of RV surface finish, are likely to be white and cream-colored. Get better finish results with the built-in electronic module which maintains specified speed under heavy load. Putting it in direct sunlight dries the polish and wax quickly, making it difficult to polish. #2 Do I Really Need to Use a Marine Grade or RV Grade Wax? Heres the Reason, How to Switch Propane Tanks on RV: 6 Easy Steps. So when buying such products, aside from reading fiberglass oxidation remover reviews, here are my tips for you: As a longtime RV owner and enthusiast, I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing RV-specified products for your rig. Fiberglass gel coat is less than 1/32 thick, and its bonded directly to the fiberglass surface. You can slow down the oxidation process by regularly covering the gel coat with wax. The original shine of the RV fiberglass should start to appear. Fiberglass with gel coat encompasses the most moderately priced motorhomes and trailers, to the high end motorhomes, A fiberglass gel coat RV will likely be white or cream colored, These RVs usually have decals, striping and lettering, A fiberglass gel coat RV may also have some paint, such as at the bottom of the body, or the stripes, Fiberglass gel coat will become blotchy, hazy and chalky looking over time, Corrugated RVs can actually be a textured corrugation or smooth-sided, These are the least expensive travel trailers and toy haulers, These toy haulers and travel trailers usually have a lot of, These RVs have a full two-stage paint job, just like a car. Let it dry completely. To Sum This up Lets break down each option. RV owners can opt to apply this product with an orbital polisher or a brush. You would think that since this is spray-on and doesnt need buffing, it wont work as better. As I have stated above that the simple reason why fiberglass is used in the majority of RV body construction is it is durable, and its longevity provides RVier extended protection against bumps and thuds on the road. In this case, a wet sanding is used to address the damage. Now, lets move to how to remove oxidation from RV Fiberglass? For deeper oxidation, you would need a power buffer. In choosing the best oxidation remover for RV, always take into account the type of decals, fiberglass finish, and the oxidation damage in your rig. Apply the oxidation remover to your RV decals gently and polish. The shine is equivalent to using compound and glaze and then buffing your camper, which is a lot of work. Polishes containing mild abrasives are a good option for removing oxidation from RV fiberglass. Leave it for an hour and rinse thoroughly. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding! This one, however, only took me one. If both hand and power buffing dont work then and only then can you even consider wet sanding. The downside is that it fades quickly too, but thats typical for quick shine products. Following the manufacturers instructions, the paper is placed on a foam block and the sanding begins. 1. These are appropriate for lightly oxidized surfaces. It can also remove mineral stains and rust so its perfect. What I love about this product is its flexibility. If you find that your wet sander isnt completely removing the oxidation from the fiberglass, you can add more pressure, but just remember to move carefully. Your hand might result in an uneven outer surface, thus an uneven sanding job. They can be washed and waxed the same as a car. However, if you think results arent as good as you want, try to increase the pressure a bit more until you see better results. The wet sanding process is only recommended for extreme oxidation. Likewise, use a kitchen scrubby sponge and polish to remove oxidation from the little nooks and crannies on your rig. If youre wondering about how to make an old RV look new, Poli Glows Poli Ox is the answer. While doing wet sanding, you will need a sandpaper sheet of 1,500 grit for extreme oxidation. Choose a wax suitable for fiberglass, like Protect All, Polish, Wax and Treatment with UV Protectant. Now that the features of this oxidation remover have been discussed above, I can state that this product is truly awesome. Oxidation is literally what happens to things when theyre exposed to oxygen for long periods of time. It shines nicely and coats evenly. Oxidation removers are made with chemicals that are safe for your rig, and these combinations of chemicals are responsible for lifting the stains and removing the actual oxidations for your RV. However, besides the protection that it delivers, you will have to deal with oxidation formation on the surfaces. What I love most about this product is that you wont need a power buffer to make it really shine. Simple: you coat the surface with either
As you can see, removing the mild oxidation is not an arduous task, but what to do when there is extreme oxidation on the fiberglass surface? However, all newer Airstreams have a clear coat over the aluminum. An RV-grade oxidation remover is strong enough to deal with other areas in your rig too, and it is a versatility you can count on. You can remove the oxidation and then reapply wax. Q2: What is the best fiberglass oxidation remover? Finally, after applying the polish, now you are ready to give it a final touch by applying wax. 4. The oxidation process can be slowed down by regularly covering the fiberglass gel coating with wax. Copyright 2023 The RV Web Network. You can also apply wax with a soft clean towel to the RV surface for an extra layer of protection from further oxidation. If you are concerned about the finish of your RV, keep it out of the sun when youre not using it. Whats great is that you dont actually need to use a separate wax. Finally, waxing is an essential step for the complete restoration of RV fiberglass. First, youll have to make sure you have the needed tools for the process, with sandpaper being the main tool. For heavier oxidation, I suggest spraying more of the product and wait longer (such as five to ten minutes). Remove loose dust and guide-coat the 400 scratches. Now, start sanding the surface with circular motions while applying a bit of pressure. It is also worth noting that there are RV oxidation removers that come with polish and wax. Which waxes are the best bet? Hold the buffer against the hull side, using even pressure, and hit the power button. 6 Volt vs 12 Volt RV Batteries: Which is a Better for Your RV? The information below is provided so that you can become familiar with the process that should take place to correct the problem. These are not easy to remove. You can wash your RV using a mix of one cup liquid laundry detergent and a gallon of warm water. This heavy-duty oxidation remover is perfect for marine vessels with fiberglass and gel coat surfaces. The first thing to do is to wash the RV fiberglass thoroughly. Before you start sanding, thoroughly wash your RV. Finally, I am glad that this product is easy to use. RV Appliances, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Usually, with white (or cream) coloring, RVs with this kind of exterior can also have minimal striping, lettering, and even decals. This is because of a process called oxidation. Thats what made your fiberglass RV shiny when you first bought it. Once you have applied the greasing solution, start rinsing the fiberglass surface of your RV. Regular maintenance and cleaning your RV means it wont lose its charm for extended periods and also keep its longevity. Take immediate action and never overlook the rust signs even if they are small. McKees 37 Marine & RV MKRV-520 Heavy Cut Oxidation Remover, 5. To give the fiberglass a smooth, shiny surface, a material called gelcoat is applied to the outer surface. Start by soaking a sponge brush with the remover. We participate in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates program, and affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites. This material is molded into a variety of household items such as a fiberglass shower or fiberglass tub. The best way to keep your RV clean and tidy is to wash it with a degreasing agent. Youll need different tools depending on the level of oxidation on your RV.