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Old 01-20-2016, 09:39 AM   #1
Kampn
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Wax on, wax off!

I've never waxed any of the campers I've owned, we camp about once a month year around and the rest of the time the camper is parked in a shed. Last month I was parked next to a camper the same year as mine and it looked twice the age due to fading. UV rays are certainly not our friend. It was a bit of a wake up call to me though and it got me thinking about UV protection. I'd love to hear what everyone is doing for this.

My first thought is a UV protective wax, and I'm sure there are several good ones, but which one? I spent an evening surfing the web and one of the names that kept coming up was Meguiar’s. It's highly rated on several sites including those that ran tests on it. So I figured it's a good place to start. I looked at their product line and when I was done I had more questions then answers. Next I sent an email to the company asking for their advise on UV protection for a camper with fiberglass caps. I was very impressed with the email they sent in response. I replied and thanked them and asked if I could reprint the letter on this site to which they said yes and Rick, the gentleman who replied said I could include his signature in case anyone wanted to ask further questions of him. I thought that was very nice. So, here's his response to my question on UV protection.

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Dear Neal,

Congratulations on the purchase. I would recommend two different products for your application. I would consider going with our Flagship Premium Marine Wax for any of the areas that may be gel coat or painted on the 5th wheel. Apply the Flagship Premium Marine Wax very thin and evenly on a cool surface and in the shade. Allow the product to cure for at least 20-30 minutes before you wipe it off. It should come off very easily at that point. I would wax up to the decals and logos. This wax is technically a sealant so it is the longest lasting product we make for gel coat at the moment. It doesn’t have cleaners or abrasives, but just focuses on enhancing shine and offering a nice synthetic protection.

Then, on the decals I would go with a spray wax to protect them called Ultimate Quik Wax. Spray directly on the decals if you like and wipe with a fresh, clean high quality micro fiber towel. It’s a booster wax for gel coat and paint, but will work nicely on the decals, and it won’t leave a white residue around the edges of the decals like a traditional wax will. The Ultimate Quik Wax won’t last as long as the Flagship Premium Marine Wax, but the it won’t build up around the edges of the decals either. With traditional waxes they can sometimes build up leaving residue, and over time causing the decal to start lifting. I have provided a link to each of the products mentioned below so you can get a visual on them. You can typically purchase these through boating and RV supply stores and online. If you have further questions let us know and we’ll do everything we can to assist. Thank you for your support of Meguiar’s.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/marine/pr...rine-wax-32oz/

http://www.meguiars.com/en/marine/pr...mate-quik-wax/

Rick McDonough
Senior Surface Care Specialist
Meguiar's, Inc.
17991 Mitchell South | Irvine, CA 92614
Office: 800.347.5700 | Fax: 949.474.0972

*******************************

Also.. I came across this Keystone posting about wax

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Fiberglass is a common term for fiber-reinforced plastic, or FRP, which is a plastic material, strengthened using glass fiber cloth and used on many RV’s for sidewalls and caps. To give the fiberglass a smooth and shiny surface, a clear or colored gel resin material is applied to the outer surface. Gel coat is available in many colors and is very durable, but it can become dull or faded as it weathers. Sunlight, heat and moist air combine to oxidize the gel coat surface, fading it and making the surface cloudy. So how do you keep your fiberglass looking good? Simple, you clean and apply a top quality wax twice a year or every 3 months in cases where the vehicle is in constant exposure to the elements.

*******************************

I'm a bit lazy (just ask my wife), so I figure once a year is going to be about it when it comes to waxing for me, but it has to help. What do you think?
 
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Old 01-20-2016, 10:05 AM   #2
BB_TX
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The thought of waxing the entire Monte just makes me want to go curl up in a dark corner. I typically only wash mine once a year and have never waxed it (2007 model). And it still looks pretty darn good. But late last year I replaced the decals on the front and rear. After removing the old decals, I was somewhat surprised at how different the areas under the old decals looked (bright and shiny) compared to the exposed areas (somewhat shiny, but dull compared to the other areas). I simply used those shiny areas as a guide for installing the new decals. That has me thinking (dangerous) about giving mine a good wax job this year. So the above info is definitely helpful.

Note that we are not full timers, use it average of 20-25 days per year, and it is stored in covered storage out of the hot TX sun. So doesn't get as much weather punishment as many others.
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Old 01-20-2016, 10:21 AM   #3
richfaa
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I personally have never waxed a RV of any type. We have a business here in Florida that will wax and detail the Rv for 75.00 and it looks show room new when they are finished. We have that done once a year .They also wash and detail it for slightly less and we have that done twice a year .Worth every dollar.
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Old 01-20-2016, 11:03 AM   #4
bigskyjimmy
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Be carefull about Waxing the new Graphics they have thousands of tiny holes if you look real close and that lets them Breathe, but for the gelcoat yeah a good waxing once a year is great but like Rich said let somebody else do it I'm to freak'in old for that stuff anymore,I Gotta save my energy to keep the truck clean all the time
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Old 01-20-2016, 11:19 AM   #5
DQDick
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I'm also in the seldom wash and never wax crowd.
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Old 01-20-2016, 11:34 AM   #6
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Richfaa - where inFlorida do you get that great deal for $75?
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Old 01-20-2016, 12:03 PM   #7
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I have my baby washed after a long trip. While staying in Ca during the tax season it is washed once a month. My spot is under a tree with lots of birds who have very bad tolet etiquette. I also wax it at least once a year with NewFinish and yes i do the job myself. The front cap is waxed again before a long trip. I paid far to much money to let my baby look bad or not look her best. JMHO.
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Old 01-20-2016, 02:28 PM   #8
Mike117
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I use the product you mentioned. I have done one side and the front. I still have the back and other side. Lot of up and down a ladder. I put on with a buffer and took off with a buffer. Lot of work but it looks great. My rig is stored inside when not in use and washed after each trip. Want to put a good protective coat. If you have the time I recommend the product.
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Old 01-20-2016, 03:48 PM   #9
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We use NuFinish, a polish rather than wax
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Old 01-21-2016, 02:55 AM   #10
richfaa
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Deercreek Rv and Golf resort, Davenport Florida. The guys service several campgrounds in the area.They are in this one near every day as they do driveways and park models.
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Old 01-21-2016, 07:38 AM   #11
Goin 4 Broke
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thanks Rich!
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Old 01-21-2016, 01:42 PM   #12
Dmcgrew
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I use an orbital buffer to wax and remove a side at a time. I purchased a second buffer and my dear wife agreed to do the lower areas that can be reached from the ground. Excellent investment just not sure how long it will last!!
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Old 01-21-2016, 02:11 PM   #13
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

We use NuFinish, a polish rather than wax
Same here, Nu Finish or Meguiar's Cleaner Wax. Both easy on, easy off, look good.
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Old 01-24-2016, 02:57 AM   #14
DonandBonnie
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Go on line and find a Croftgate USA distributor and get a product called Wash n Wax. This is the stuff that car dealerships use to create that "showroom shine". The process is much the same as washing your rig. Put two capfuls in a gallon of water. Soak a microfiber towel in the solution and wring only until it stops dripping. Work area to area over your rig. Put it on with the soaked towel, wipe it off with a dry towel. First time out you may have to put some effort into removing all of the bugs and stuff, after that the stuff should easily come off.

Up front this stuff might appear to be costly, but in the long run it is very inexpensive. After the initial use of the Wash n Wax, future washings are just going over your rig with a damp cloth. When water on the surface stops beading, it's time to reapply. We washed our truck with the stuff last August and just reapplied a few days ago. In between we wiped it down with the damp rag every week or two.
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