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I hope seasoned members can help with my struggle to properly clean and wax my travel trailer. Here are the details.
The trailer has a Filon exterior. It is essentially prefab fibreglass so thin it comes on a roll. It is then laminated to styrofoam and lightweight thin wood to make the travel trailer walls. The exterior is white but the bottom 20% is covered with tan colored vinyl, with additional vinyl graphic stripes in tan and navy. The trailer is 7 years old. I had the trailer sprayed when new and again about 3 years ago with something the dealer claimed would protect the finish from UV/acid rain and eliminate the need to wax. Nevertheless, the trailer lost its lustre and I started waxing it once or twice a year, a couple of years ago. I use Meguiar's car wash and gold class liquid wax. These work well on my car and van but appear too splotchy on the trailer. I am guessing that after simple washing, the trailer is not really clean enough to wax? Likely the surface has oxidation.
I tried gently applying by hand a polishing compound on one section before waxing and that seemed to help a lot, except on the vinyl which remained splotchy. I am thinking of trying Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to finish up the rest of the trailer. I don't have a machine so I would do it by hand. Is it safe for Filon? for vinyl? Do you think it is the answer to getting the surface ready for splotch-free waxing?
The gold class wax worked quite well after the polishing compound but would it be better to switch to marine wax? If so, would I use the Flagship Premium cleaner/wax?
Regarding the vinyl, the color has faded but I don't know if anything can restore it. I want to be sure not to damage it. It looks splotchy now from waxing. What should I do with it?
Being retired with arthritis and on a fixed income, I need a system that's fairly inexpensive and easy to do. Fortunately I have time to do one side/end per day if necessary. I really don't want to invest in a machine if not necessary. Thanks for your help. Happy RVing / boating.
John
The trailer has a Filon exterior. It is essentially prefab fibreglass so thin it comes on a roll. It is then laminated to styrofoam and lightweight thin wood to make the travel trailer walls. The exterior is white but the bottom 20% is covered with tan colored vinyl, with additional vinyl graphic stripes in tan and navy. The trailer is 7 years old. I had the trailer sprayed when new and again about 3 years ago with something the dealer claimed would protect the finish from UV/acid rain and eliminate the need to wax. Nevertheless, the trailer lost its lustre and I started waxing it once or twice a year, a couple of years ago. I use Meguiar's car wash and gold class liquid wax. These work well on my car and van but appear too splotchy on the trailer. I am guessing that after simple washing, the trailer is not really clean enough to wax? Likely the surface has oxidation.
I tried gently applying by hand a polishing compound on one section before waxing and that seemed to help a lot, except on the vinyl which remained splotchy. I am thinking of trying Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to finish up the rest of the trailer. I don't have a machine so I would do it by hand. Is it safe for Filon? for vinyl? Do you think it is the answer to getting the surface ready for splotch-free waxing?
The gold class wax worked quite well after the polishing compound but would it be better to switch to marine wax? If so, would I use the Flagship Premium cleaner/wax?
Regarding the vinyl, the color has faded but I don't know if anything can restore it. I want to be sure not to damage it. It looks splotchy now from waxing. What should I do with it?
Being retired with arthritis and on a fixed income, I need a system that's fairly inexpensive and easy to do. Fortunately I have time to do one side/end per day if necessary. I really don't want to invest in a machine if not necessary. Thanks for your help. Happy RVing / boating.
John
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