Mister Blu Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 After washing the rig, I noticed some spider cracking happening to the gel coat in two small areas on the roof. considering super cleaning it first with a deoxidizer and buffer, followed by 'dicor clean and prep', and then two coats of dicor 'fiberglass roof coating'. Thoughts, suggestions, comments, feedback? Is there a better way to do this? Had already intended to look into this product prior to this recent discovery. "a wise man seeks many counsel." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 It's gel coat not the fiberglass itself. Like paint cracking. Not major damage and will never leak because of it. Paint over it with some spray paint if it really bothers you but whose looking at the roof. Oh and the Dicor stuff is probably intended for newer Rv's with super thin fiberglass siding over a wood frame . Not the fat boat stuff ours is made from. Best cleaning for a Sunrader is Bar Keepers Friend then polish with Zep floor polish from Home Depot. Look at this shiny Sunrader. Belongs to another member here who cleaned his like that. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Though I'm far (far, far) from being a Sunrader expert, I agree that you should be looking more in the direction of 'boat' fiberglass rather than 'RV' (or 'mobile home') fiberglass products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Blu Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 (edited) When paint cracks moisture can and often does get in and under. Why is it that you both suggest that dicor's fiberglass roof coating would not be the desired product for this purpose? What might you do to ensure that this roof is sealed and protected? Do not reckon that waxing will be enough. Linda, does bar keeper's friend remove heavy oxidization, or ought I also get a bottle of meguiar's heavy oxidization remover? That rig pictured sure does have a shine to it. Edited April 5, 2017 by Mister Blu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Go to a nearby West Marine and ask if cracked gel coat will destroy your boat. They will have a good laugh. Millions of old cracked gel coat boats sitting in water all the time, 24 hours a day. You are driving a boat. Yes that stuff removes oxidation black, marks, and the burnt crap on my broiler pan. Ya know the stuff that never comes off? I use magic sponges too. The dollar store ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Blu Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Are there reasons why dicor's fiberglass roof coating is not recommended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 The Dicor product is designed for this kind of fiberglass panel usually called Filon. 4 hundredths of an inch thick with wood underneath. Yes these do break down and leak because they are so thin http://www.cranecomposites.com/pdf/6333.pdf It's also brilliant white and will not match your rig color at all. Not designed to give you an ultra smooth glassy surface. Designed to be thick and protect those weak panels. Not recommended because it will look like crap and is useless for your purposes. High quality automotive paint on the other hand will give you a beautiful surface that will last for years and can be mixed to match the rest of your rig. You wouldn't use that stuff on a Corvette would you. Nope when the gel coat cracks you paint it Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 Use a additive designed for bumper paint. It will keep the paint slightly flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 For fiberglass repairs to a canoe, I've finished off the repair with this:- https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000YQEN62/ref=twister_B00ZB1QHT6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I've also used gelcoat. Off the shelf, at my local boating place, they didn't have much colour selection beyond 'Gloss White'. http://www.fibreglast.com/category/colorgelcoat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrocrider Posted April 5, 2017 Share Posted April 5, 2017 On 4/4/2017 at 1:40 AM, linda s said: It's gel coat not the fiberglass itself. Like paint cracking. Not major damage and will never leak because of it. Paint over it with some spray paint if it really bothers you but whose looking at the roof. Oh and the Dicor stuff is probably intended for newer Rv's with super thin fiberglass siding over a wood frame . Not the fat boat stuff ours is made from. Best cleaning for a Sunrader is Bar Keepers Friend then polish with Zep floor polish from Home Depot. Look at this shiny Sunrader. Belongs to another member here who cleaned his like that. Linda S Like the chrome wheel rings. Anybody know the source? Assume they're 14 inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Blu Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 Is there some product that will seal these cracks while waiting for a more permanent (and more expensive) solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 If you really think the glass under the gel coat is going to leak. Compound or BarKeepers the roof then use something like Snowcoat on the whole roof. It will last about 5 years if done right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red-ryder Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 many years ago-----early 1970's to be exact. an 'anal-retentive' co-worker's Cruisers Inc gelcoat was not holding a 'gloss', to suit him.... i advised him to lightly scuff the gelcoat and re-coat with PPG Delthane automotive epoxy clear. it cost him a fortune and loads of elbow-grease! but he happily got 20+ years out of the boat! i haven't kept abreast of the latest technology, but betcha there are super high tech industrial coatings in the market today, that were not available back then. expect to pay big $$$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannante Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 On 4/5/2017 at 9:28 PM, WME said: If you really think the glass under the gel coat is going to leak. Compound or BarKeepers the roof then use something like Snowcoat on the whole roof. It will last about 5 years if done right. Compound? Is that a cleaner? I have a few cracks that I am working on. Repairing this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 Probably referring to 'rubbing compound'. At a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 Zep floor wax it will shine like a new penny. May not hide all the cracks but it will shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frontboat Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Gluvit is my answer to any cracks in anything. Most marine stores have it but if it is exposed to sunlight you must paint it with an epoxy friendly paint. I have used it on my sailboat fiberglass, my aluminum boat and now the roof of the my rig especially along the sides as I was worried about the integrity of the 87 and went through torrential rains in AZ and no leaks. Big newer rigs were bitching about leaks but not me, snug and dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadingthroughlife Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 On 4/4/2017 at 2:40 AM, linda s said: It's gel coat not the fiberglass itself. Like paint cracking. Not major damage and will never leak because of it. Paint over it with some spray paint if it really bothers you but whose looking at the roof. Oh and the Dicor stuff is probably intended for newer Rv's with super thin fiberglass siding over a wood frame . Not the fat boat stuff ours is made from. Best cleaning for a Sunrader is Bar Keepers Friend then polish with Zep floor polish from Home Depot. Look at this shiny Sunrader. Belongs to another member here who cleaned his like that. Linda S http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/bwolfgti/IMG_20160205_163249_995.jpg How is the zep floor wax applied? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 With a lint free soft cloth in several thin coats. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadingthroughlife Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 1 hour ago, linda s said: With a lint free soft cloth in several thin coats. Linda S Thanks! Is this the product? The gel coat on ours was refinished n the sides but not the top, and it’s got a little of the white streaking on the windows after it rains. https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-1-Gal-High-Traffic-Floor-Polish-ZUHTFF128/202860171 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 This is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadingthroughlife Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 Awesome! Now just to read the threads about where it’s safe to sit on roof and how to work on the hard to reach spots haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 I have laid on my roof and scrubbed it with barkeepers more times than I can count. When I first bought my Sunrader I weighed over 200lbs so the roof can take it. Not standing up is the safest for the roof and you. I did fall off once. Yikes. Onto concrete driveway. I'm old but I lived. Linda S Wow I just realized I could make millions selling the Sunrader diet. Lost 80 lbs cleaning that damn rig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadingthroughlife Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 1 hour ago, linda s said: I have laid on my roof and scrubbed it with barkeepers more times than I can count. When I first bought my Sunrader I weighed over 200lbs so the roof can take it. Not standing up is the safest for the roof and you. I did fall off once. Yikes. Onto concrete driveway. I'm old but I lived. Linda S Wow I just realized I could make millions selling the Sunrader diet. Lost 80 lbs cleaning that damn rig Hahaha thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 Yours is an 87. Does it have the interior roof beam? Mine is an 86 so it doesn't have it but most 87 and up do. Between bath and AC unit. Makes roof stronger Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted June 16, 2022 Share Posted June 16, 2022 Gel Cost repair paste? I dunno know seems to good to be true. However it's sold on Amazon https://www.gogolonge.com/products/instafix-fiberglass-boat-repair-paste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadingthroughlife Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 On 6/16/2022 at 7:49 PM, linda s said: Yours is an 87. Does it have the interior roof beam? Mine is an 86 so it doesn't have it but most 87 and up do. Between bath and AC unit. Makes roof stronger Linda S It does have the beam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Nice, now give me the size of that vent Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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