topping fiberglass

[Superior Shine]

I have been putting #21 on freshly cleaned and polished fiberglass. It looks great and seems to hold up.

But I don't remember getting an official answer.

Does Meguiars recommend #21 for fiberglass for the best protection? I never do boats but I need the best pretection for RVs travel trailers and campershells.

[mirrorfinishman]

You could probably get away with using #21, however I would highly recommend using Meguiar's Flagship Premium Marine Wax for all fiberglass applications.

[Superior Shine]

Thanks Frank for your reply.

I have some of the flagship wax as well.

Is that Meguiars official answer for fiber glass?

[Superior Shine]

Re: topping fiberglass

Thanks Frank for your reply.

I have some of the flagship wax as well.

Is that Meguiars official answer for fiber glass?

4 years later...............................??

[CAShine]

Re: topping fiberglass

I am starting to do horse trailers in my area and a good deal of them are made of a fiberglass shell. I had called Meguiars and the rep told me that I should use the marine line for the fiberglass. So I would say yes, flagship is Meguiars answer to fiberglass.
Once I get some different flagship products and get an opportunity to use them I will let you know my thoughts.

[Custom Detail]

Re: topping fiberglass

Joe You know where to get an answer shame on you

[Superior Shine]

Re: topping fiberglass

now I do..... not so much back in may 2005

[Michael Stoops]

Re: topping fiberglass

Joe, our apologies for letting this one get by us for so long.

Here's the "official" word on working with gel coats using Meguiar's Marine/RV vs Automotive lines:

For cleaners and compounds you should stick with our Marine/RV line when working on gel coats. These would include M44 Color Restorer, M49 Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover, M67 One Step Compound, and M91 Power Cut Compound, in order of least to most aggressive. These products are designed for a gel coat surface, which is much harder and much thicker than automotive paint - generally on the order of 25mils thick instead of just 2 mils for clear coat. That said, you can use our automotive cleaners and compounds on gel coats, but they may not be as effective as you're used to them being on automotive paint. On the flip side, however, we will tell you to keep the Marine/RV cleaners and compounds away from automotive paint - they tend to be too aggressive. Again, this is due to the differences in the surface they were designed to be effective on. Gel coats are also much more porous than automotive paint, and wet sanding a gel coat can leave the pores very open and actually promote oxidation.

Waxes or sealants used on gel coats should also be selected from our Marine/RV line. We've seen instances where some automotive waxes have caused yellowing on white gel coats. While this yellowing will generally fade with direct sun exposure, it is annoying and most folks with expensive boats won't be real happy if you turn their pride and joy yellow. Our Flagship Premium Marine Wax is our top of the line protectant for gel coat finishes.

A couple of other noteworthy points when working on gel coats. The porosity of the gel coat means that if you're working on a very oxidized surface you may find that applying a pure polish first (M45 for example) will make using M44 Color Restorer or M49 Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover that much easier. But be aware that a very badly oxidized surface will drink that M45 in pretty quick! Also, a gel coat that is badly oxidized and as old as 15 to 20 years will likely be virtually unsalvageable. Yes, you may be able to improve the appearance to some degree, but just as when trying to do this to a car with clear coat failure, that visual improvement is not going to last long at all. That does not mean the gel coat is experiencing a similar physical condition to clear coat failure, only that you would be working against a similarly impossible task.

[Custom Detail]

Re: topping fiberglass

Outstanding!!! That is the most knowledgeable answer I have read in a very long time!
It reassuring to know that there are other people in the industry that know and understand Gel-coat

Thank you

[Superior Shine]

Re: topping fiberglass

.............you can use our automotive cleaners and compounds on gel coats, but they may not be as effective as you're used to them being on automotive paint. On the flip side, however, we will tell you to keep the Marine/RV cleaners and compounds away from automotive paint - they tend to be too aggressive.

Great now you tell me!! OLD DOG

I have a product in my arsenal that reminds me of old #4 and I used it on this old 41, Meguiars marine line #49 Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: topping fiberglass

That was a great thread, Joe!!

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: topping fiberglass

I agree, i just read thru all 9 pages of it.

[aerogt01]

Re: topping fiberglass

I agree, i just read thru all 9 pages of it.

x2. I absolutely LOVE the links in these forums. I honestly spend hours a week just reading a thread then clicking a link then reading that thread then . . .