High Gloss Gel Coat

[junglejim]

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.

[Art-n-Marge]

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.

[HOOK]

If you have your invoice or your assembly line sheet , it should be listed. My dealer told me that everyone they received had it.

[camper4]

Gel coat is real smooth. Without it you can see and feel "lines" in the surface.

[The Weekenders]

quote:Originally posted by camper4

Gel coat is real smooth. Without it you can see and feel "lines" in the surface.

What he said!

[dieselguy]

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.

[junglejim]

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.

[Clemson1881]

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.

[bncinwv]

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

[grayghost03]

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.

[rames14]

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.

[1retired06]

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.

[junglejim]

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.

[bncinwv]

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

[junglejim]

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.

[southern thunder]

I hope I have it. They charged me for it.

[Hawkpat]

What is the appropriate way to maintain the gel coat finish?

[junglejim]

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.

[1retired06]

I use NuFinish which is a polish not a wax. If you start, before any fading or chalking, it is great.