Dulled Fiberglass Pop-Tops

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:05 pm Post subject: Dulled Fiberglass Pop-Tops

I had the same ssue with my sailboat, dulled gelcoat. My motorhome, dulled gel coat. the Westy, dulled gelcoat. On the RV forum I am a member of, one of the guys shared his tip. Go to Lowes, get Red Max Pro, a floor finisher. Not a was but some kind of polymer. Safe to use on the surface,

I tend to be cynical when it comes to something 'easy', but I was wrong, this stuff is beyond easy. Just taes a lot more time on a motorhome! Clean the surfaces first, he suggested Dawn dishwashing liquid, it will remove any existing wax. Then just wipe it on. The first coat you wonder if you should have dismissed the idea, but it dries quickluy. then second coat, actually looks like it might work. Third coat and you start to get giddy, not from fumes, but from results. 4th coat and you know it was worth it. According to him, it is good for about a year, then apply 1 or 2 more coats.

Takes about 10 minutes to work yourself around the top each time. Then I pulled out a ladder and did the top and inside the luggage bin as well. Under $20 for a gallon. I didn't notice whether it is sold in qts or not.

Mt top was dull and chalky, and now it looks new. Almost want to pour off a qt and take a rag and fdoo a small section of Westys I see, then charge $100 for the qt, way cheaper than painting it. However, just not a mean person, so I'll just pass on the word.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

This is when I picked it up, notice the top looks clean but faded and dull.

This is the after. Close up, shaded, I will take another shot trying to duplicate the angle and distance. [/img]
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Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
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purplepeopleeater · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:21 pm Post subject:

Penatrol (sp?) works perfect on these....mine was chaulky and I cleaned it with a brush really good and let it dry then put 2-3 coats on it and it looks like I repainted it.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

It can't get any easier to retore a faded pop top than Penetrol.
Holds up for a long time too---
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T.K.

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

I've used Penetrol, tis is actually better. You really need to try it. I have tried both, and this is way better.
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Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

erdonline · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject:

I've used Penetrol on my poptop with very good results, and one coat lasted about a year. I don't have the patience to put four coats of this wax on.

Ed
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Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

With 4 coats of this wax, how long does it last prior to having to recoat the top down with more?
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T.K.

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject:

Guys that told me about it say about a year, then add a coat or two. YMMV. Penetrol takes awhile to apply between coats if I remember correctly Been a long time since I used it. Made it look good for a bit, plus it was on a boar in ocean, but just didn't last. This goes on a lot easier too.

Hey, it is Lowes, buy a gallon, try it, if it doesn't do what I said, take it back, say it doesn't work.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

This would be a great time for me to perform a test of this NTM product--
I've got a grey pop top that's in need of brightening up.

I'll do one half in Penetrol the other half in this wax and let it sit out in the sun.
First one to fade loses.

Good idea.

What's the solvent required to get the wax off if needed?
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T.K.

werksberg · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject:

FYI: oem fg pop top & luggage racks do not have any gel coat surface costing. They were compression molded....
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ddwbeagles · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:52 am Post subject: Top Restoration

Bill, thanks for sharing this with us. I'm game and will give it a try.

Terry, now you are talking..... A side by side test. I'm betting both with have instant results, the questions are (a) longevity, (b) ease of use or application, (c) overall price, etc.....

You know we are photo hounds right? Would love some top down pics after application to see if there are any visible differences immediately after application. Will even shoot over some $ to support the test if you wish. Great stuff guys!
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BillWYellowstone · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:17 am Post subject:

OK, if not gel coat, what did they use for the surface? I know GC is a release agent, but something is used to cover the fg matting.

I have s spot on my RV I need to take a picture if. I started that to check it out, then switched to doing all of the pop top. Now I need to finish my RV, Little more surface area. Lots more time.

Added before and after closeup photos in original message.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:57 am Post subject:

Oh, it is not a wax, an acrylic copolymer. Wipes on like ppenetrol but dries a lot faster, if you start at one corner, go around van, the first corner is ready for next coat, and do this 3 to 4 times.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

insyncro · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:04 am Post subject:

I tape off and spray the Westy tops with Pentrol.
One light coat, wait 30 minutes, another wet coat.
Beautiful results!

j_dirge · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:19 am Post subject:

PolyGlow seems to outlast Penetrol in the marine environment, in my experience.
When all is said and done.. I eventually went with .. wait for it..

A boat cover!
Amazing how long the protective treatments last when not beat on by UV all day, everyday.

If tests are being done, though, I'd like to see PolyGlow vs Redmax vs Penetrol.

It may be worth checking in with Practical Sailor, as well. Those guys test these kinds of things all the time. And do so without any advertisor's influence.
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werksberg · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject:

One more islander... · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:41 pm Post subject:

werksberg · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:11 pm Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=444570&highlight=
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snowsyncro · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject:

werksberg · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks RonC and the last post in my link has the top 15 or so threads links too. I asked the mods for a sticky but no....
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Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
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One more islander... · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot, Werksberg and RonC. I think you're right. Sorry!

Werksberg--your explanation makes a lot of sense, particularly when it comes to all the whiskers. I've done some fiberglassing on boats--isn't this a fairly unusual technique?

---
Kathy

(edit: Ah-ha! I was searching within Vanagon/Eurovan and most of the postings are in Bay Window/Bus--lesson learned!)


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