Camper finish

[kcult]

My camper stays uncovered for the most part because the act of covering and uncovering it will probably be the thing that causes my untimely death.

The top half of the front end (East facing) has become almost ashy. That's the best way I can describe it. It's not smooth and glossy like the rest of the camper.

It's on the list now, but would a simple wash and wax fix this or is it more than likely going to need professional assistance?

 

[Shady Grady]

My camper stays uncovered for the most part because the act of covering and uncovering it will probably be the thing that causes my untimely death.

The top half of the front end (East facing) has become almost ashy. That's the best way I can describe it. It's not smooth and glossy like the rest of the camper.

It's on the list now, but would a simple wash and wax fix this or is it more than likely going to need professional assistance?

View attachment 630839

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

My camper stays uncovered for the most part because the act of covering and uncovering it will probably be the thing that causes my untimely death.

The top half of the front end (East facing) has become almost ashy. That's the best way I can describe it. It's not smooth and glossy like the rest of the camper.

It's on the list now, but would a simple wash and wax fix this or is it more than likely going to need professional assistance?

Did you just post on CFF that you have a micro?

 

[Diablos]

303 protectants are good stuff

 

[kcult]

303 protectants are good stuff

This seems like a serious answer.

Do you mind deleting it so that a few more cracks can be made?

Then maybe post it again later.

Thanks.

 

[Snal~]

303 protectants are good stuff

I think he'll be looking for something that's available in a like-new 5 gallon bucket.

 

[hp468]

It’s dull due to UV exposure. Hard to say whether buff/wax would help. If the paint is thick, maybe. If the paint is thin you may buff the degraded paint right off (leaving exposed bare aluminum or whatever the base material is).

So, the answer is maybe. Best to try the buff/wax in a small area not easily seen by average height people.

303 Aerospace is a great product but best to use it before the paint burns off.

Did you just post on CFF that you have a micro?

Micro LITE!!

 

[kcult]

This seems like a serious answer.

Do you mind deleting it so that a few more cracks can be made?

Then maybe post it again later.

Thanks.

I think he'll be looking for something that's available in a like-new 5 gallon bucket.

I see what I mean.

 

[Snal~]

I see what I mean.

You're welcome!

 

[Schattenreiter]

It’s dull due to UV exposure. Hard to say whether buff/wax would help. If the paint is thick, maybe. If the paint is thin you may buff the degraded paint right off (leaving exposed bare aluminum or whatever the base material is).

So, the answer is maybe. Best to try the buff/wax in a small area not easily seen by average height people.

303 Aerospace is a great product but best to use it before the paint burns off.



Micro LITE!!

Small and lightweight huh?

 

[Hashknife]

This ⬇️

Followed by a good wax job.

It worked well on my camper shell...
I did mine by hand.
If you use a power buffer, be gentle...

 

[Burt Gummer]

The best answer is to park it under a carport, not only is your paint fading, but any waterproofing around seams is also getting UV damage. This is where leaks and the real money comes in

 

[Pogue]

Like it or not you need to be up on top inspecting it as much as possible. One little crack in the sealant can cause enough water damage to total loss one of those things.

 

[MostWanted]

Mine is small, 21’ from ball to spare tire. I have a fitted canvas cover that isn’t difficult to put on. Biggest fears are stepping through the bathroom vent and falling off. I bought a new KZ in 2018 that I didn’t cover and it was leaking in less than two years. Probably cost me $5,000 in resale value because I had to sell it with the leak. So I keep the new one covered and I pay about $250 for the annual roof maintenance.

 

[kcult]

Mine is small, 21’ from ball to spare tire. I have a fitted canvas cover that isn’t difficult to put on. Biggest fears are stepping through the bathroom vent and falling off. I bought a new KZ in 2018 that I didn’t cover and it was leaking in less than two years. Probably cost me $5,000 in resale value because I had to sell it with the leak. So I keep the new one covered and I pay about $250 for the annual roof maintenance.

I have a fitted cover. It's not that it's difficult to put on, but the first time I did, I realized just how many trip hazards the were in the process. Same with removing it.

As AC/DC sang, "It's a long way to the ground if you wanna break some bones."

I think those were the lyrics.

 

[Chriselalto]

It's amazing that RV construction hasn't changes in 40-50 years.

How are the roofs not a 1 peice mold. They can be molded with protrusions for vents etc.

 

[hp468]

It's amazing that RV construction hasn't changes in 40-50 years.

How are the roofs not a 1 peice mold. They can be molded with protrusions for vents etc.

If they made them to last, they wouldn’t sell near as many.

 

[Carolinatlc]

If they made them to last, they wouldn’t sell near as many.

I don't know, ask Toyota how building a vehicle that lasts has worked out for them. I've never owned a camper and have no real desire to.

 

[hp468]

I don't know, ask Toyota how building a vehicle that lasts has worked out for them. I've never owned a camper and have no real desire to.

Airstream would be your Toyota, beyond that I stand by my words.

 

[MostWanted]

It's amazing that RV construction hasn't changes in 40-50 years.

How are the roofs not a 1 piece mold. They can be molded with protrusions for vents etc.

I bought a Coleman pop-up once where the roof was a 1-piece mold. After a few years, they all started to sag in the middle and some of them looked like the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile going down the highway (mine didn't, but there was a class action suit). Imagine how much more difficult it would be to make a 30- or 40-foot-long mold. And how expensive it would be to replace when you bumped into a gas station shelter or campground obstacle.

 

[skiles]

The best answer is to park it under a carport, not only is your paint fading, but any waterproofing around seams is also getting UV damage. This is where leaks and the real money comes in

I wish we could park ours under a carport. Enough can't be said about inspecting seams on the roof. I must have about 10 gallons of lap sealant on mine by now.
I haven't ever tried waxing ours. I just wash it with diluted simple green. I haven't noticed anything like what you're describing.

 

[mellocollins]

We used to use something like this on tin roofs, metal mobile homes, old metal campers.

White, Rust-Oleum Elastomeric Roof Coating, Gallon - Walmart.com

Today Buy White, Rust-Oleum Elastomeric Roof Coating, Gallon at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Jayne]

I see what I mean.

I do. It is what makes this place harder to hang out at, that's for sure.

On topic, I've been watching a lot of youtube vids on campers/RVs (even though I don't own one, just researching) and the sealant drying out and failing is the top issue they warn about. So much $$$ in damage is done when water gets in, and the real fix is either constant maintenance, or parking it inside/under something. Seems like if you want to keep it intact long term after repairing it this time you're going to have to figure out how to cover it or get it under something when not in use.

 

[BigWaylon]

wonder if a clay bar would help?

 

[Carolinatlc]

Airstream would be your Toyota, beyond that I stand by my words.

Probably why I'm attracted to the Airstreams, Glocks and other products that last a long time like @Gunbelt leather. Is that sacrilege mentioning @Gunbelt and Glocks in the same sentence? Many times they cost more upfront but last a long time.

I'm actually looking at a small Airstream Friday for my youngest daughter and I to do a trip in.

 

[kcult]

This ⬇️
View attachment 630849
Followed by a good wax job.

It worked well on my camper shell...
I did mine by hand.
If you use a power buffer, be gentle...

I bought a bottle of this not long after this post, but after reading the directions (apply to a cool surface), I figured I would just cover the camper until the weather cooled down a bit.

We're about to head out in a few days, so I decided to uncover the camper and wouldn't you know it, it's cool outside.

I applied the product today and I'll have to say, I'm impressed.

It's not the best pic of the results since there's no sunshine at the moment, but trust me, the stuff worked great.



Thanks to @Hashknife and everyone else for the suggestions.

 

[GoWolfpack]

I just saw a metal RV carport on Facebook marketplace for $4000. It would be a great deal for somebody.

 

[kcult]

Sell it..................

Stay tuned.......

 

[noway2]

The best answer is to park it under a carport, not only is your paint fading, but any waterproofing around seams is also getting UV damage. This is where leaks and the real money comes in

That’s the problem we’re having with the 16 yo one we’re living in. Roof leaked enough, that it made the floors weak and the aluminum skin is buckled in a few places. Had the roof patched and sealed this spring, but we have plywood pieces on the floor with rugs over them to better distribute the weight.

Not terribly concerned. I went into this latest venture anticipating this will be my last hurrah with this trailer. We bought it and lived in it in VA for more then three years, used it on many vacations and long weekends, and now it’s serving as home while we renovate the house.

Built a vestibule on the side of it, where dog sleeps. It saved one cat from getting out twice. Worth the money. Thinking of offering the GC, who built it for us, to help repurpose it into a coop or something when we are done and giving him the trailer in exchange. he’s expressed interest in a trailer to go camping and has the skills to refurb this one.