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
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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.
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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?