Getting started on the Rv....results

[jmrkav]

Back with a report on my Rv project. My 2004 Newmar fifth wheel, although I washed and waxed it regularly, was beginning to show it's 8 years. With everyones suggestions here, I worked on it for a good week. The trailer was not beyond repair. I used the fiberglass restoration kit and could not be happier. The front and rear caps look like new. The sides are very good but some slight blotching can be seen at some angles. All in all, I'm well satisfied with the results.

That said, I also bought the DA orbital buffer and did not have the best of results with it. The buffer performed well but not very long into it's use, I started having problems with the pads staying on the buffer. One pad came apart. I contacted Maguires and they did send me some new pads and a replacement wheel but not much changed. The company I bought the buffer from sold me a wheel made by a competitor and it has two or three times the ability to hold the pads. I did not have any further problems. The pads they sent worked flawlessly.

I have always believed the Maguires products are the best available and I still have great faith in the waxes and cleaners. I'm sorely disappointed in the buffer and pads. They need some real work.

Thanks again to everyone for their input. This is a great source of information.

[Michael Stoops]

Sounds like good results overall, but we're curious about the pad issue. What backing plate are you using with the buffer? How aggressively are you using the buffer (speed, pressure, etc)? If the hook & loop of the backing plate and pad are mismatched you can generate a lot of heat at that interface, leading to premature breakdown of the material.

[jmrkav]

Michael, sorry with the slow reply. I've been off line. The backing plate I'm using now was recommended by a representative from Auto-Geek. I'm not home at the moment and the name escapes me. The fellow I talked with at Auto-Geek said he also had the same problem I had with the backing plate supplied with the Maguires buffer. This was his solution for his personal machine. I can tell you that there is no comparison with the holding ability on the Auto-Geek supplied backing plate and the original. I ran the buffer on #5, using the #49 compound and on the polish. Stepping down to 3 with the wax. I did less than half the fifth wheel when the problems with the pads developed. I waited until Auto-Geek sent the new backing plate and pads before beginning again and had no further issues. Thanks for your thoughts on this.