How to Remove Oxidation from RV Fiberglass Easy and Fast.
Owning an RV is beneficial, whether you enjoy being on the road for official or recreational activities. However, keeping your RV in optimum operational condition is imperative. That may involve regular mechanical maintenance and care for the exterior body, such as removing oxidation from rv fiberglass, which is vital. Below you'll find out how to remove oxidation from rv fiberglass.
RV exteriors feature fiberglass, fiberglass fortified with gel coat finish, corrugated fiberglass, bare and coated aluminum finish, or a fully painted finish. Each of these requires unique care and maintenance techniques.
Let's explore some crucial information how to remove oxidation from fiberglass rv and advice on how to remove oxidation from rv decals, as well as tips on taking care of some of the most popular RV exteriors: fiberglass and fiberglass-reinforced plastic with gel coat finish
How to Remove Oxidation From RV Fiberglass.
General Features of an RV Fiberglass Exterior.
RVs with fiberglass exteriors either have fiberglass only or fiber-reinforced plastic having a protective gel coat finish. Fiberglass is typically durable, has high mechanical strength, is dependable, and features lightweight properties, making it ideal for large vehicles like RVs that go on long-distance journeys. When you apply a gel coating on the fiberglass, you essentially protect it.
A synthetic resin-based compound 1/32 inches thick, a gel coat is fixed directly to the surface of the fiberglass. Besides protecting the fiberglass surface, it gives the RV a brilliant shine. But that shine doesn't last a lifetime as it's prone to wear due to the effects of a naturally-occurring gas. That's why it is important to remove oxidation from rv. Read on to learn how an RV loses its shine and how you can revert it to its original glory.
RV Oxidation Remover.
Reasons Why an RV Gel Coat Loses Its Shine.
The gel coat on an RV generally loses its shine due to oxidation. That's a natural chemical process occurring when the gel coat reacts with oxygen in the air. The natural oxidation process occurs over time and can cause the gel coat to develop a cloudy, chalky, or yellowish look. The result of unchecked oxidation of an RV's gel coat is an old, dull, and junky-looking exterior. RV Oxidation removal is an essential part of maintaining your rv in a good shape.
Solar radiation also contributes to the gel coat losing its shine. Well, extreme heat from the sun is bound to eliminate the brightness out of anything! Just as it causes skin problems in humans, solar heat can affect the skin of your RV
Removing Oxidation from RV.
Restoring Your RV's Gel Coat Shine
To get your RV's exterior shining bright like before, start by washing and cleaning it with a carwash before removing any oxidation on the gel coat. Once you've eliminated the oxygen, apply a coat of rv wax to protect the gel coat from re-oxidation. The rv waxing process reduces the rate of oxidation of the gel, but with time it wears off and needs to be re-applied to deter the exposure of the gel coat to oxygen.
The regular removal of the oxidized gel and waxing are crucial in maintaining the shine on your RV. It will also keep the depreciation of the RV low and maintain your general resale value. While the rv waxing process can be straightforward, you can't say the same for "de-oxidation." So, how exactly can you eliminate oxygen from the RV's gel coat? Read on.
How to Remove Oxidation From Fiberglass RV?
Polishing the surface of your RV is an efficient and effective method you can apply to remove the oxidation from the gel coat of your RV. These polishes contain mild abrasives, making them ideal for removing oxygen. Additionally, they can get rid of any light scratches, weathered paint, and surface stains from the exterior surface of your RV
Remember that polishes don't provide a protective finish. Therefore, you might have to top the surface with some rv wax. Polishes and waxing are ideal for RV exteriors whose fiberglass has little to moderate oxidation. You can achieve the oxidation removal process by hand or an electric buffer our guide.
Oxidation Removal From RV Fiberglass By Hand Buffing
The process requires a polishing compound and your elbow grease:
The first step involves applying the polishing compound using an ordinary non-scratch kitchen scrubby sponge.
Next, work the polishing compound into the surface by hand until you don't feel any resistance on the gel coat. That's an indication that you have successfully removed the oxidation.
Allow the polish compound to dry and haze over.
Once dry, wipe off the haze with a dry cloth. That will reveal the shiny gel coat surface underneath.
To maintain the shine and protect the gel coat from oxidizing again, you will need to top it off with quality RV grade or marine wax. You can apply the wax with a clean, dry cloth before allowing it to dry to a haze.
Polish the wax to a shiny finish
Hand polishing is ideal for eliminating oxidation from the little nooks and crannies on your RV. However, removing oxidation by hand buffing is time-consuming and exhausting. Besides, you might require an extra pair of hands to finish. That's when you may consider this next option: the power buffer.
Removing RV Oxidation With a Power Buffer
You can use an electric buffer to remove gel coat oxidation from your RV. the process is less time-consuming, stressful, or strenuous to the body. An electric buffer is perfect for removing the oxidation from large and flat surfaces on an RV. It takes over various tasks, including applying the polishing, removing the oxidized gel coat, smearing the wax, and buffing the RV's exterior to a brilliant shine.
As you can tell, the entire process is almost similar to that of hand buffing. The difference comes in that the electric buffer works on the scrubbing and application processes. It's best to use RV-grade wax or marine boat wax for the final application to protect your fiberglass surface from re-oxidation.
What Type of Electric Buffer Can You Use?
The ideal choice for an electric buffer for eliminating RV fiberglass oxidation would be a high-speed, random orbital buffer. It's perfect to handle the tough material. Also, the high-speed buffer will produce a lot of friction needed to create the sparkling shine you desire to see on your RV.
Restoring Extreme Fiberglass Oxidation
In some cases, the fiberglass on your RV can have extreme oxidation and damages due to age. In such a situation, professional products may not be the solution. To address the damage, you might need to employ a different technique, such as rv wet sanding. The process requires attention to detail, and it can be pretty time-consuming:
Soak sandpaper of grit 600 to 2000 in water for 24 hours.
Place the moist or wet sandpaper on a foam block and sand down the fiberglass surface until it's smooth to the touch.
You should then follow the sanding process with a high-grade super-duty polish. To achieve the desired effect, you might have to apply multiple polishes.
Other extreme oxidation cases involve fiberglass erosion characterized by strands of fiber coming out of the exterior surface of your RV's body. If you notice that occurrence, use a pair of tweezers to see if you can pull the fibers from the RV's exterior surface. Remedying fiberglass erosion involves a professional RV paint job or re-applying gel coat to the fiberglass surface. Both processes nearly cost the same and will likely take the same amount of time to achieve. However, the gel coat has a better overall result and a longer life span.
But what if you're unable to pull the fibers away from the surface using a tweezer due to irregularity. It would be best to level off the irregularity by using wet or dry sandpaper with a padded sanding block. Later on, you can put on a fresh coat of paint or a new gel coating layer.
RV Washing Tips to Prevent Fiberglass Oxidation
Did you know that regular cleaning can do your RV some good to maintain its shine? You can avert RV fiberglass oxidation by washing it monthly using best wash and wax product, keeping the dirt, grime, and oxidation at bay.
You can also prevent oxidation by waxing your RV at least once a year. A new coat of rv wax protects the gel coat from weather elements and generally shields the fiberglass from extreme oxidation. If your RV is old or used, consider protecting its gel coat from oxidation by complementing the washing and waxing your rv with a fiberglass restorer.
What About RV Fiberglass Maintenance?
Besides active protection via rv washing, polishing, waxing, and painting, make it a point to protect your home on wheels from the weather elements. The sun, polluted air, extreme humidity, and leaves originating from parking your RV under a tree can play a role in damaging the finishing on your RVs exterior.
As part of the passive maintenance of your RV, keep it out from direct sun when you're not using it. You can store it inside your garage if you have one big enough to accommodate it. Alternatively, use an RV cover. Overall, ensure that your RV is safe from harmful outdoor elements.
To Wrap It Up
Caring for your RV's exterior brings about multiple benefits, including having an easy time selling it if you're looking to dispose of it and get a new one. It's paramount to start caring for the exterior when your RV is new and keep at it for the rest of the period it's in your possession. That'll go a long way in saving you from major exterior repairs that might be costly in the long run. With the above knowledge on how to remove oxidation from RV fiberglass, nothing is stopping you from having the best-looking RV in town. Restore that glossy shine and keep your RV looking new as you drive around.
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