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Topic: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination  (Read 1311 times) previous topic - next topic

Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

I read about a product a while back on the forum that was said to bring decals back to life and to seal fiberglass. I remember warnings that if the product was applied to the fiberglass that any future painting would be very difficult.

The post went on to mention a product that did the same thing but was sold as a floor care product.

Now my memory fades, I was sure I would remember the name of the floor care product when the time came that I wanted to buy it. I have not had any luck searching. I want the floor care product for my floors but would like to try wiping it on my decals to see if it helps them.

Any body remember the name of this product?
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #1 –
Lon,

This may be the thread that you are looking far:

Removing oxidation from gelcoat

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #2 –
The product I've heard about people using is Red Max 3 or Zepp's floor finish.  Both products are clear acrylic coatings, similar to poly-glo.  A search on irv2 or escapees will yield a wealth of experiences with these products.

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #3 –
Zep Wet Look  at Lowes
Steve & Nancy Snow
1987 GV 40'

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Lon,

This may be the thread that you are looking far:

Removing oxidation from gelcoat

THANKS! that was the post I was looking for.

Pamela & Mike
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #5 –
Here's a photo album of Carl Sandel.  He used Polyglow (said to be similar to Red Max 3) on his decals - looks like a definite improvement.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=88
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #6 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
Here's a photo album of Carl Sandel.  He used Polyglow (said to be similar to Red Max 3) on his decals - looks like a definite improvement.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=88

Those pictures look great!

I think I will go with one of the floor products since using it on the floors was my main objective, I will then try it on the decals.
The warnings about the polymer getting into the fiberglass and making future paint work difficult got my attention. I don't want to spend the money for a paint job down the road then watch the paint peel off later.
I would think that rough sanding before paint would get rid of the polymer but I'm not a paint tech and will wait till I can check into that when the time might come.
I will do it the hard way first by buffing and see where that gets me.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #7 –
If I planned to repaint my coach in the next few years I wouldn't put such on the surface.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #8 –
To apply Zep Wet Look, Poli-Glo or any other wipe on is a process, you don't get to just wipe it on.  First is a good wash job with soap only.  Then using 3M Scotch Brite White Pad and Bar Keepers Friend you scrub the oxidation off the fiberglass gel coat. Finally using a Poly Glo applicator you apply the product one coat at a time for a total of 4 or 5.  All of this done in the shade will take 4 or 5 days. I witnessed this on a 89 GV last summer in Camp Verde, Az. it came out beautiful. I will start on ours in several weeks, still a little too cold.
Steve & Nancy Snow
1987 GV 40'

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #9 –
Ive got mine about half done now body and what decals remain.  From shabby to new looking.  Couldn't be happier.    Prep is critical.  Front and rear cap plus roof three days.  If and when I paint on new decals prior testing shows a strong ammonoa scrub followed by sanding prep removes it readily.  Ill never do fullll paint so not much of a factor. 

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #10 –
Chuck, Explain please the Amonia step.  I have never heard of using amonia in auto prep/gelcoat,  but if it works, I'd like to know more....  thanks. ron
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #11 –
Ron. The ammonia ia for future removal of the acrylic coating I'm applyind in the event of painting.  One criiticism of using this stuff is that it complicates paint application in the future. Future for me looks more like a nimbus than a paint project.  Chuck. Thumb typing socks.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #12 –
If an Xtreme paint job is in the future, the entire coach, every square inch, is thoroughly sanded. That's part of the high cost. I have watched several full body paint preps and I didn't see any to be painted surface untouched so I don't think these gelcoat restoration systems will have any affect on the new paint. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #13 –
I am planning on going the POLI-GLO way but have a question on how much it helps rejuvinate the decals, also would it work the same on the roof to eliminate streaking, I cant afford the deep pocket paint jobs, Adam
Adam Byler
1999 U320 M4200 DGFE Build #5389
2014 Sundowner 26 ft Enclosed
2015 Ford F150 King Ranch crew cab

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #14 –
Adam,
then you want to check out the Zep Wet Look 3 floor polish (AKA Red Max Pro)  Has been in use several years now.  You can find info on RV.net and Check this out NOT Poliglow...Time will tell.. - Fiberglass RV.  The thread on Fiberglass RV has been running since July 2010 and is still active.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #15 –
If you have pretty faded decals and just want them to look good until you can get them replaced or painted, try rubbing them down with Penetrol for oil based paints. It restores most of the color and if coated with a clear like finish like the aforementioned floor coatings or even a clear automotive finish, will retain the improved color for a couple of months. It does damage the decal over time so use it sparingly, but as a temporary measure it does work.

Penetrol can be found at any full service paint store or Lowes/Home Depot type stores.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #16 –
Lets hope that they are not peeling like mine.  Only one choice then.  Removal!  But I hate to remove mine cause they still look good, except for the peeling.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #17 –
When the edges of my decals started to curl and peel .What I did was to add 3M 3/16" gold medal flake pinstriping tape over the very edge of the decals that where bad.I then used Pledge furniture polish to bring back the color and shine to all the decals . I use the Pledge when ever I wash the coach. I have been using the pinstriping tape for 3 years and it has been working very well.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Fiberglass sealing - Decal rejuvination

Reply #18 –
I can't go out an look right now cause its at the shop, but I think I am way beyond that.  But at least it had my mind working.  Thanks for the idea.
1994 U225
build #4514