Gel Coat Restoration/ Oxidation Removal
Tired. Dull. Faded. Chalky to the touch. This is the unfortunate result of the elements and the sun beating down on your gel coat RV. Gel Coat Restoration is the removal of that ugly oxidized layer of gel coat and restoring your RV to the bright and shiny RV that you remember.
About Gel Coat
Gel coat is the coating sprayed up against a highly polished mold at the beginning of the fiberglass layup process. This process results in the smooth, mirror-like finish typical of new RVs. With the passage of time, unprotected gel coat will oxidize and eventually take on a chalky appearance. As part of this process, it becomes porous. The more porous it becomes, the more readily it will stain. The process continues until the RV becomes extremely faded and chalky. The good news is that nearly all gel coat can be restored, provided it is not completely worn through.
Why doesn’t my RV shine when I wax it?
A lot of it depends on how oxidized the RV is. If the RV is fairly oxidized, the gel coat pores are clogged and it will smear and make a mess. It would need to be corrected first. Otherwise it will look like putting oil on a surface where it soaks in some areas and not others. Waxing is a waste of money at that point unless the oxidation is removed and corrected...If an RV is fairly oxidized we recommend either an RV Wash with Detail only (no wax) OR the full 3 - 4 step Gel Coat Restoration.
What now?
Let’s say that the gel coat on your RV looks less than stellar. The good news is that the damage is reversible, in most cases.
Whether you’re trying to prep your RV for sale or rehabbing a new acquisition, or just sprucing up your current ride, restoring gel coat shine not only makes you feel better, it actually enhances the value of your RV and helps to make it last longer.
You might have people that will tell you that you can get away with using one-step waxes and snake-oil treatments that guarantee a great shine, but the truth is, if you have a badly oxidized gel coat finish, there is only one way to bring your gel coat back to life.
The first step in any gel coat restoration job is removing that layer of oxidation standing between you and a good shine. And if that oxidation is heavy, you will need a rotary buffer, heavy cutting wool pad and a super abrasive cutting compound made specifically for boats or RVs.
After you feel like you have the oxidation dealt with, it’s time to actually polish the surface to a glossy shine. We use a polishing compound with abrasives, only much finer, which brings that shine level way up.
The last step in your gel coat recovery is to apply good liquid or paste polymer sealant wax that will bring up that final high-level shine and protect your gel coat from dirt, road salt, grime and the brutal sun.
At this point you should have a glossy, durable shine that will make you the envy of your RV park. Now to keep it up over the years, apply a couple coats of good-quality wax once or twice a season to keep that new-RV shine.
