Faded Paint on Camper

[metalli445]

Hello,
My GF's father just gave us his old camper. The original owner must have had decals on the trailer and then removed them after a few years but now you can see the lines where the paint has faded around the decals. I currently have Super Intensive Polish PO83, Super Finish PO106FA, Wolfgang Paint Sealant and
Collinite 845 at my disposal along with orange, red and white pads that go with my 3403. It's been about a year since I've used any of these products and I literally just brought the camper home so I haven't tried any of these products on a test area. I'm wondering if there is a product better suited to restoring the finish of this camper other than what I have? Also, what should I use on the diamond plate or metal areas? Thanks

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/photo1_zps47188780.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/photo1_zps47188780.jpg.html)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/photo2_zps6a7b3fac.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/photo2_zps6a7b3fac.jpg.html)
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/photo3_zps630cc5ce.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/photo3_zps630cc5ce.jpg.html)

Pat

[metalli445]

After reading more threads it appears campers have a gelcoat and not a clearcoat so I'm assuming the products that I have are not the best for the job. What does everyone recommend for this? I can't find the thread now but someone said a wool pad on the 3403 on setting 1 (1100 RPM) is a good combination for heavy oxidation. Do you agree?

[metalli445]

Unfortunately I can't edit my previous post but I have a Flex 3401, not the 3403 as previously mentioned.

[HUMP DIESEL]

I would start with what Mike does on old cars that have oxidized. Megs Old #7. See if that helps before you start polishing. Sometimes these finishes on the small trailers are not the thickest and you can go right thru. They seem to get soft over time.

Start easy and then move up to a little more aggressive. An all-in-one would seem to work.

HUMP

[metalli445]

Is Megs Old #7 more abrasive than menzerna super intensive polish? I did a spot test with Menzerna super intensive polish on an orange page without much success.

[BillE]

Is Megs Old #7 more abrasive than menzerna super intensive polish? I did a spot test with Menzerna super intensive polish on an orange page without much success.

Zero abrasiveness. Think of #7 as you would think about hand lotion. Nice oils for the paint to (hopefully) revive it from being dried out.

7 is more for single stage paints, but it will help out 'old' clear coat also.

Bill

[metalli445]

I really hate to bring up an old thread but it's still relevant in the fact I'm just getting back around to working on the trailer. I'm looking for Meg's old #7 at the autogeekonline store but I'm only able to find this product. Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze is a final step auto glaze to enhanced the gloss prior to wax application. Get a show car shine with Meguiars #7 Show Car (http://www.autogeek.net/meg7showcarg.html) Is this what you mean?

Also, when I do my truck I use these products in this order.


1. Super Intensive Polish PO83
2. Super Finish PO106FA
3. Wolfgang Paint Sealant
4. Collinite 845

When I work on the trailer do I apply the Meg's #7 right after washing it? What pad should I use to apply #7 if I'm using a flex 3401? Can I apply collinite 845 as a last step? I guess I'm basically looking for the best order of operations to follow. Thanks for the help!

Pat

[MIsnowman]

I think you want to apply #7 by hand. It's not supposed to polish the paint, but rather "bring it back to life" by containing a lot of polishing oils. Mike Phillips has a thread on here about preserving original paint where he goes through the steps to take when using #7 on a gold Lincoln Town Car. Once you get the paint conditioned, then you can use a polish to get a higher gloss. I think you can use whatever products you want following the #7.

[metalli445]

I think you want to apply #7 by hand. It's not supposed to polish the paint, but rather "bring it back to life" by containing a lot of polishing oils. Mike Phillips has a thread on here about preserving original paint where he goes through the steps to take when using #7 on a gold Lincoln Town Car. Once you get the paint conditioned, then you can use a polish to get a higher gloss. I think you can use whatever products you want following the #7.

Thanks for the reply! I've tried using search terms to find the thread but I haven't had any luck. Do you happen to know what section I can find the thread?

[MIsnowman]

Not sure if the link will work or not.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

[metalli445]

Not sure if the link will work or not.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

The link worked! Thank you. I just tried the #7 on a few different small areas. It made a big difference! I'll read the thread now and see how I can improve my results. Here are the pictures.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/FFFF330E-FA7E-4442-A4D1-597000C9C420_zpsban15bll.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/FFFF330E-FA7E-4442-A4D1-597000C9C420_zpsban15bll.jpg.html)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/4CE56288-B976-4019-9F5C-F117C6489671_zps6i3rszrx.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/4CE56288-B976-4019-9F5C-F117C6489671_zps6i3rszrx.jpg.html)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f362/metalli445/Trailer/45F155A4-0D20-417C-88F9-DF8A066D03BE_zpsrf7wz22w.jpg (http://s51.photobucket.com/user/metalli445/media/Trailer/45F155A4-0D20-417C-88F9-DF8A066D03BE_zpsrf7wz22w.jpg.html)

[Brody]

Are the exterior panels in question fiberglass or metal? If they are metal, you're not dealing with gel coat; you're dealing with paint that is most likely extremely thin.

[Ccrew]

Are the exterior panels in question fiberglass or metal? If they are metal, you're not dealing with gel coat; you're dealing with paint that is most likely extremely thin.

They could also be Filon, which is essentially FRP and has the color molded in. Common camper construction material these days.

Meguiars #7 will appear to work because of all the oils in it, but has no durability. But as Brody said, if aluminum that paint will be very, very thin.

[metalli445]

I googled the model (2004 Work and Play 18lt) and many sites list it as having a smooth fiberglass exterior. After reading the link that MIsnowman posted it appears the longer the #7 is left on the surface, the more oils will get absorbed into the paint. I basically just did a quick wipe on and wipe off as a test.

[Mantilgh]

If it is fiberglass and is gel-coated it will take some abrasion, quite possibly a lot, to get it to look nice and even and to stay looking that way. Here, most recommend a heavy cut compound and a machine, preferably a rotary.

To me, the oils in #7 would just be absorbed, and sitting in the oxidation and will quickly wash or fade away.