Front Cap Fading

[Bob_Vaughn]

I was wondering if the fading of the front cap on my 2011 5th wheel could be fixed by using rubbing compound to bring back the color then coating it with a liquid floor wax. I forget the name of it. OR would it start to flake off?

[dunerunnerjw]

I bought a 2017 Genesis Supreme TH fifth wheel and use Gel-Coat Wash and Wax about twice a year. So far so good. Getting many "Topcoat" ads lately on my phone and computers.....not sure if that is as easy as advertised but .........

[GTO66]

Like you mine also has been stored inside while not in use. I would wax before every long trip and polish with compound if needed. After 19 years it was starting to show its age so I had a vinyl wrap placed on the front. Hasn't been on long enough to tell how it will hold up, but looks great for now.

[hawkeye-08]

Our 2013 has the fading, had it in 2013, factory no help. I am in the process of using the 3M compounds to polish, it looks good now, still needs final polishing and waxing. I expect it will need to be done twice a year to keep it nice... I will eventually get it painted and be done with it.

[B_O__Plenty]

Two of mine have faded. Tried the Zep floor wax on one and while it looked good for a few months, it stated to flake off and looked awful. Had both painted with a base/clear coat automotive paint. Luckily they both went bad early on and after jumping through a few hoops the factories paid for the paint. Should run in the $1500-1800 range plus decals. This is the only long lasting cure.

B.O.

[56Jeff]

after many hours or working on my camper, I got it painted and clear coated. I figured out you won't win against the fade, and you'll start to HATE your camper. I was very lucky and found a man to come out to my place and do it..

[SidecarFlip]

having said decals, I actually removed all mine and the unit actually looks better to me. I may, at some point have a laser cutter vinyl shop make some custom decals. I may.

[SidecarFlip]

Bob Vaughn wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
if you stored the RV inside it would never be an issue. Outside (in the weather) storage is not only hard on the paint, it's hard on the seals ans caulk too.

I keep mine inside unless I'm using it. I realize not everyone can do that but a cover when not in use is a good alternative as well.

ADCO makes some nice ones.

Sadily this was stored in a fully enclosed building. It is in the dark all the time except when we take it out to go camping. It was a manufacturing defect that the company weaseled out of repairing when it was new. It is a Heartland Big country.

That is a sad deal but typical of the RV industry it seems like.

I'd sure like to see the entire industry adopt a viable warranty program and not lip service. Like the auto industry finally has.

Most times the fade is a UV related issue as is degrading seals. Not sure if you can refurbish / renew the fade without repainting it and then you'd need the decals too.

[DutchmenSport]

Our previous TT, (Outback) front cap started fading after 1 year of ownership (new). It was just out of the one year warranty when fading and discoloration started. I attempted all kinds of fixes and it seem it only made it worse and worse. I finally consulted with my purchasing dealership and they told me the paint itself used was inferior, not automotive grade and nothing would fix it except to repaint it.

They contacted Keystone and after some back-and-forth negotiations, Keystone agreed to pay for the repaint. However, I had to pay for new graphics. The deal was struck and about 4 weeks later we had the trailer back.

Before repaint:







And here's what it looked like after we got it back. We had this TT for another 4 years and when we traded for our current 5er, that front cap still looks just as good as when it was first painted.

[goducks10]

It may depend on what color your cap is. If it's white then the fading may simply be from old age. If it's the dark brown or grey that was used back then, then no waxing, buffing, etc will create a long term result.
Paint is the only cure. BTDT with a 2013 dark brown cap. I did the 3 step process several times and always had the same results. The oxidation returned.
Finally got it painted.

[Veebyes]

Said it many times before. There is no easy fast one step gratification. The answer above using the 3M compound then a milder cleaner wax, finishing with a protective marine wax will get best results.

[gbopp]

Here's a link to the Red Max Pro process. RMP is no longer available, ZEP #3 is the same product.

Use the process to remove the oxidation. If you don't want to use floor wax, use the wax of your choice.
The prep is the important part of the process.
I use ZEP #3 on our 96 Southwind. It does a nice job.

[Bob_Vaughn]

SidecarFlip wrote:
if you stored the RV inside it would never be an issue. Outside (in the weather) storage is not only hard on the paint, it's hard on the seals ans caulk too.

I keep mine inside unless I'm using it. I realize not everyone can do that but a cover when not in use is a good alternative as well.

ADCO makes some nice ones.

Sadily this was stored in a fully enclosed building. It is in the dark all the time except when we take it out to go camping. It was a manufacturing defect that the company weaseled out of repairing when it was new. It is a Heartland Big country.

[SidecarFlip]

if you stored the RV inside it would never be an issue. Outside (in the weather) storage is not only hard on the paint, it's hard on the seals ans caulk too.

I keep mine inside unless I'm using it. I realize not everyone can do that but a cover when not in use is a good alternative as well.

ADCO makes some nice ones.

[Devocamper]

3M makes several products to remove oxidation from fiberglass, I have used them and they work pretty well and Maguire's sells a three step kit for this purpose . Use a product designed for this purpose otherwise your going to have a bigger problem .
3M marine restorer and wax at Amazon
Meguiars m4965 marine / Rv restoration system Amazon