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03-01-2012, 11:58 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Millbury
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #9245
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High Gloss Gel Coat
We have owned our Montana for 4 years now and don't know the answer to this question.
How can you tell if you actually do have the high gloss gel coat?
I think we do, but don't know for sure.
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03-01-2012, 12:09 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I believe, just like my '06 unit, all Montanas are gel-coated. Not sure about other years, but the salespeople and brochures all said so. Yeah, yeah, I know, salespeople and brochures are not to be completely trusted, but on this feature, I think it's safe.
The sales team gave us a can of gel-coat polish as part of our "new rig kit", so that was another hint.
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03-01-2012, 12:13 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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If you have your invoice or your assembly line sheet , it should be listed. My dealer told me that everyone they received had it.
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03-01-2012, 12:23 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: corning
Posts: 694
M.O.C. #6635
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Gel coat is real smooth. Without it you can see and feel "lines" in the surface.
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03-01-2012, 12:25 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Harvey
Posts: 329
M.O.C. #8863
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by camper4
Gel coat is real smooth. Without it you can see and feel "lines" in the surface.
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What he said!
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03-01-2012, 12:50 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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I was told the siding on your fiver is a laminate of several layers with the outside layer being a product called filon ... "gel coated fiberglass reinforced polyester resin material". In 06 unless you special ordered it, I'd suspect you have just plain filon without the high gloss gel coat finish ... If you look at an angle towards the sides of your fiver and see small fiberglass like needles imbedded in the gel you don't have the high gloss finish. If it is smooth similar to the finish on your car, you have the high gloss sides.
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03-01-2012, 12:53 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Millbury
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #9245
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Hook we bought ours used. It was a little over a year old when we got it. We didn't get a line sheet or any thing, just a bunch of owners manuals for the installed equipment.
Our surface is smooth when you run your hand over it but if you look close you can see little lines in it, like fiberglass strands.
Just like the artic package is an option? But it comes in every Montana.
Dieselguy according to your description we doNOT have the hi-gloss finish.Like I said above it is smooth to run hands across but you do see strands.
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03-01-2012, 12:56 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Williamston
Posts: 631
M.O.C. #9432
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All Montanas do not come with the high gloss sidewalls. It is a rather expensive option costing around $2 to $3K. Dieselguy's description is dead on on how to tell the difference. High gloss sides will be entirely and completely smooth.
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03-01-2012, 02:02 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Our first Montana did not have the high-gloss gel coat sides but the new one does. I will say the difference in the cleaning requirements is remarkable. With the new rig I have yet to have to use any kind of cleaner other than water and a rag to keep it clean. Hopefully this trend will continue! Dieselguy explained the difference exactly.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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03-01-2012, 05:15 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
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Actually the fiberglass siding is gelcoat, first you apply a release agent to the mold(flat sheet in this case) then you shoot gelcoat, depending on the finish you want, you apply a thicker high gloss gelcoat resin for a smooth high gloss finish,you can also apply a thick satin gelcoat and have a satin, but very smooth finish. However you can shoot a thin gelcoat and then roll on or chop gun your fiberglass on. This will also determine the water proofing (no not all fiber glass finishes are water proof) should be, but not. I have done alot (operated a company the made fiberglass tanks) fiberglassing and you can have any finish you want, and yes you can do alot of neat things. The type of gelcoat, such as tooling gel, ortho(what boats are made of)or polyester resin(the strongest and chemical resistant,damage resistant...read $$$$$) effects the cost. Example 1972 corvette hood, ortho resin, $34 in gelcoat and resin, same hood polyester resin, $211 in gelcoat and resin. Which one do you think RV manufactures use.....................right.
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03-02-2012, 12:22 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,183
M.O.C. #1920
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Filon is the standard Montana finish. As mentioned, when you look at the side, you will see the fiberglass strands. The only other option is the gel coat, which is similar to the finish found on Motorhomes. If you select the gel coat option, you can get partial or full paint. Our 2005 was the standard finish, with decals. The new one is gel coat, without decals. The unit is painted.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames plus Meg - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar+ Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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03-02-2012, 01:31 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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My first two montana's were filon. Worked fine. Current one is Gelcoat. Easier to maintain, looks a little better, and as indicated ,historically was an option. I have been told the gelcoat adds weight to the trailer. I did notice at the tampa rv show, that several manufacturers had dressed their designs so they looked like high end motor homes. Some were real paint, some were not. I would think the vinyl design will not hold up over the years. More vinyl than painted surface.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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03-02-2012, 01:35 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Millbury
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #9245
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Yep after reading all this good info I have come to the conclussion we do NOT have the hi gloss.
And I also did not know fiberglass was not waterproof. But you know what happens when you assume.
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03-02-2012, 01:45 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Fiberglass is definitely not waterproof and is actually the opposite, it absorbs water and delaminates. Proof is in the makeup of a boat hull. A boat hull is composed of fiberglass covered with gel coat. When the gel coat is damaged to the extent that the fiberglass is exposed, they have to be repaired with gel coat kits to prevent water intrusion into the fiberglass portion of the hull. And speaking of such, I have a repair to do to the top supports of the swimstep on our boat. A severe storm last year resulting in the boat rubbing against the dock in such a fashion that the gel coat was ground off of a section about six inches long by an inch wide above the swimstep. Winter repair was a piece of white duct tape strategically placed to cover the exposed fiberglass. Unfortunately, that does not qualify as an item on the ever growing "honey do" list since it has nothing to do with our residence!
Bingo
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03-02-2012, 02:01 AM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Millbury
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #9245
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Like my grandpa use to tell me "you'll learn something new everyday if you just pay attention".
sometimes our toys suffer- honey do FIRST.
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03-02-2012, 02:01 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Homosassa
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #12211
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I hope I have it. They charged me for it.
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03-02-2012, 02:07 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
Posts: 113
M.O.C. #11612
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What is the appropriate way to maintain the gel coat finish?
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03-02-2012, 02:11 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Millbury
Posts: 188
M.O.C. #9245
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Well I guess since I don't have it I don't know. LOL
But I use Mothers carnuba cleaner wax on ours and it works wonders. Takes what is left of black streaks off with almost no effort.
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03-03-2012, 02:06 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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I use NuFinish which is a polish not a wax. If you start, before any fading or chalking, it is great.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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