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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Dub on August 26, 2010, 04:05:02 pm

Title: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 26, 2010, 04:05:02 pm
Greetings all, I am new and have a question I NEED insight on or better yet straight out answer. I have an older U280 and there are very lite yellow, almost beige stains appearing on back side portion of coach and I can't rub or wax out. Has appearance of paint "runs". Is this de-lamination of gel coat or what? I want this gone naturally, even thought about having graphics placed over the worst but that seems like a lot for a little.  I just last year replaced stripes and now this. Hard to keep older rig looking like I want one to look.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Barry Beam on August 26, 2010, 04:23:08 pm
Quote
Is this de-lamination of gel coat or what?
Not sure what it is without seeing it , but it should not be de-lamination.
That would be more of a separation or bulging.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Rudy on August 26, 2010, 04:49:50 pm
Dub,

For a definitive answer to your situation, call James Stallings at Xtreme Paint and Graphics, 936.560.5888.

Even though you have never done business with James, he will help you determine what solutions are available.

You will enjoy meeting him on the phone.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 26, 2010, 04:52:01 pm
As I mentioned Barry, it appears to have a paint or gel running appearance. I Thought about trying a quarter size spot with bleech  but the stain is so smoth it's almost like there is hardner over it.Very puzzling.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 26, 2010, 04:53:00 pm
Will do Rudy, Thank you.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Kent Speers on August 26, 2010, 07:18:55 pm
Dub, I too have a older coach that I try very hard to keep looking new. I spent the last 30 years in the manufacture of polymers but as stated before, its next to impossible to say what you have without seeing the discoloration. My bet is surface contamination by a nasty solvent such as lacquer thinner or MEK or an old fiberglass repair that is aging and discoloring at a different rate than the original fiberglass.

If you cant remove it with standard automotive surface cleaners, try Turtle Wax Ice Liquid Claybar cleaner, it is going to be very difficult to fix. The next step would be buffing the area with rubbing and polishing compound or sand it off with very fine sand paper (ie.400 thru 2000 grit). If these steps don't work go to a local boat repair facility that specializes in fiberglass repairs. The may be able to color match and repaint the area. 

Good luck, I sure feel for you. 
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Jimmy Freytag on August 26, 2010, 07:28:05 pm
Dub, who did your stripes
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Kent Speers on August 26, 2010, 07:37:50 pm
Jimmy asks a very good question. Are the stains possibly related to the striping? If they messed it up, they need to fix it.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 27, 2010, 11:06:18 am
I sanded off the old original stripes and puddied the cracks and a friend who is a painter sprayed new stripe surface. We masked off the white where this problem is and never touched that area with any solvents. I would take a picture and post it but it isn't visible enough to show in photo. Guys I worked for 6 weeks getting those old stripes ready to paint and I vowed to never do another one but they turned out acceptable and improved the old girl. I dont know I suppose I expect to much from a 20 year old rig but darn she has some good points that I like. Thanks for input fellas.
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 27, 2010, 11:20:38 am
I'm calling James Stallings and also finding the Turtle Wax product Kent mentioned. Also plan to take it to a body shop near by for a glass crack repair just above the rear bumper and  get some input from the body man. If you guys could see this first hand you could probably name the culprit and I appreciate you brain storming this issue .
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Rudy on August 27, 2010, 04:23:15 pm
Dub,

I had James re-gelcoat the rear of my coach above the engine grill where old graphics had stained the surface and would not buff out.  He then buffed the whole coach back to a high shine.

I have kept it shiny every since with Wash Wax All
Title: Re: Unidentified stain
Post by: Dub on August 27, 2010, 05:03:57 pm
From the small picture I can see she is a good looking320.