Most RV Owners Don’t Realize This is Damaging Their Rig
Fiberglass is a commonly used material in building RVs. It offers durability, is lightweight, and has an impressive appearance. However, prolonged exposure to the elements can cause the fiberglass on your RV to lose its shine and become dull. This natural process is known as oxidation. If you wish to restore that radiant shine, it is necessary to eliminate and/or prevent oxidation on your RV.
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What is Oxidation?
Oxidation is the result of a reaction between a substance that typically comes into contact with oxygen or another substance that can cause a loss of electrons. Although it is most commonly observed in metals that oxidize or corrode, it naturally occurs in many materials and even in RVs. The protective gel coating layer on an RV spends a tremendous amount of time under the sun, which can accelerate the oxidation process. The constantly changing conditions on the surfaces of your RV are not ideal for this protective layer that keeps your RV (or any surface) looking new.
What Causes Oxidation on Your RV?
Prolonged exposure to weather elements such as water, air, and sunlight is the main cause of oxidation in motorhomes. Although it's not always possible to keep your motorhome away from harsh weather conditions, regularly washing and waxing the surfaces is crucial. Otherwise, your valuable and expensive motorhome will show signs of aging much faster than desired. Applying a fiberglass gel coating on the surface of your motorhome will help minimize the chances of oxidation occurring.
Preventing Oxidation On Your RV
Proper and regular maintenance should prevent the fiberglass of your RV from oxidizing. As part of your maintenance, you need to regularly polish and wax the RV's coating which can help prevent oxidation. Wax and clear coat are designed to protect the fiberglass from damage caused by water and sunlight. However, waxing an RV can be a long and tedious project. While some find it relaxing and therapeutic to work with their hands and see the results of their efforts, not all RV owners have the time available to perform this maintenance as often as they should. If that's the case, then you should try to store your RV away from the elements. Keeping it stored under a shed or some type of roof is a good start as it will be protected from direct sunlight and precipitation.
How to Remove Oxidation From Your RV’s fiberglass
There is a good chance that you can remove most, if not all of the oxidation on an RV. It will just require lots of work on your part. You will need to get an oxidation remover that is for RV and Marine use. You can use a non-abrasive sponge or an electric buffer to apply the remover.
For extreme oxidation, you can use a heavy-duty oxidation remover. If you just have a small spot that you want to treat before it gets too bad you can use this spray oxidation remover for quick treatments! For an all-in-one, you can purchase this kit to be prepared to keep your RV shiny and sparkly!
Steps for removing oxidation:
To begin, it is important to clean the surface with water and soap. This will allow you to identify the actual problem and not just the dirt accumulated on the corroded fiberglass. Additionally, it will facilitate the rest of the process, as when polishing the oxidation with a polisher, you wouldn't want coarse dirt particles to get trapped and further damage the fiberglass. This will help prevent additional damage.
If using an electric buffer, place a polishing pad on the polishing tool and apply the liquid oxidation remover gel to the pad. Apply the oxidation remover to the fiberglass before turning on the polisher. Once you have applied a light coat onto the recreational vehicle, turn on the polisher at the lowest speed and begin working with the oxidation remover on the surface, gradually increasing the polisher's speed as you progress.
Gently move the buffer back and forth along the surface of the RV, applying light pressure to the area that requires extra attention.
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off any residue, and the oxidized section of your fiberglass should be eliminated.
Once the oxidation has been buffed out, switch to a finishing pad. This pad is smoother than the buffing pad and is used to refine the surface rather than remove oxidized areas.
Apply the wax in the same way as the oxidation remover. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and remove with a soft microfiber cloth.
Gently wipe down the surface with a fresh soft microfiber cloth to remove any residue.
You do need to know that once an RV has extreme oxidation and begins to yellow and is deeper than surface level, you will not get the same results. There are processes to remove the oxidation by sanding down and then reapplying a clear coat.
Well if this jobs sounds a little daunting, don’t fret! Check out this link above and find someone near you to help you take care of your RV!
Nothing beats the joy of owning a shiny new RV that continues to sparkle for months or even years. Keeping your RV clean can be immensely satisfying, while neglecting its appearance can lead to dullness! Fortunately, fiberglass doesn't rust like iron or steel when oxidized. However, oxidation can still mar its appearance and compromise the integrity of your RV's walls and roof. Excessive damage may render your RV no longer waterproof, resulting in leaks that can wreak havoc on the interior walls, furniture, electrical equipment, and insulation. Dealing with such issues can be costly, or worse, it could irreparably ruin your beloved RV.
They say that prevention is better than the cure, and this holds true for preventing oxidation on your RV.
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