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08-04-2017, 08:37 PM
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#1
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New Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 7
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Faded front cap...no more!
Hi, I thought i'd do a little write up for those experiencing the well known faded front cap issue.
I have a 2014 Sunset trail 28BH with the brown front cap. The fading was so bad that it reached all the way down to the blue LED's that run across the front of the cap. I have done a little bit of research into why it might be happening and discovered that the cap is made using the same methods as fibreglass boats, a gel coat finish. I turn my search to boats and discovered that boat owners also have problems with faded fibreglass.
I bought a rubbing compound specifically designed for marine use and also a polishing wax for marine and RV's. I spent almost 4 hours with an orbital polisher, first with the rubbing compound and then followed with the polishing wax. I am so pleased with the results and it looks as good as new. My plan going forward is to go over the front cap once a year with polishing wax to try to keep the fading at bay, hopefully i can keep the fading away!
I don't have any before pictures but I have attached a picture of the finished result along with the 2 products used.
DSC_4452.JPG
DSC_4451.JPG
DSC_4449.JPG
DSC_4450.JPG
__________________
2014 Sunset trail reserve 28bh
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08-05-2017, 06:32 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,151
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Looks good! Hopefully you have found a solution that will work for you.
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08-05-2017, 06:47 AM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Looks good ...for now . But remember that it is alot of work yearly ..like my old boat with a coloured gelcoat. Best bet is to just clear coat the whole cap,decal and all so you will never need to bust your but again. along the same note ,when I bought my last boat ,it was offered with a coloured wide stripe on the upper side...I opted for the stripe delete and glad i did as they all faded.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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08-10-2017, 06:51 AM
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#4
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador
Posts: 23
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Rob,
Thanks for posting, looks great. I have tried the very same using Meguiars 9 as a friend who has a boat with the gel coat brought his back from a dull pink to the original red with this. I'm using an orbital polisher. Two applications so far and not back to the original brown. I am also planning to use an RV wax after. Not sure I am as dedicated as you!
But thanks for posting.
__________________
2016 Sunset Trail Reserve 33BD
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09-25-2017, 06:35 PM
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#5
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New Camper
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Quebec
Posts: 1
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Hi everyone, I am also having a serious fading problems with my 2014 Sunset Trail, how did you manage to do the top? Sorry first time buyer and afraid to damage it further.
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10-08-2017, 07:49 PM
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#6
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 99
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Hey Rob! Thanks for the tips! We have the exact same model and are experiencing the exact same front cap fade as most with our model. We are looking for a solution - even something to just make it passably better - as we prepare to sell it. This might be just the solution!
Were the sizes you show enough to do the job on the front cap, or did you buy multiple bottles?
Thanks again,
Amy
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10-08-2017, 08:45 PM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,406
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Looks good; nice job. I seen a sunset trail the other day near Winston-Salem NC that was so faded it looked terrible. Glad you found a solution.
__________________
*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please! John Wayne
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10-08-2017, 10:37 PM
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#8
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,392
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There's only 1 for sure cure, automotive paint.
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10-09-2017, 06:03 AM
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#9
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New Camper
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
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You guys know nothing about fading. You should see my 2008 Sunset Trail. The decals are more white than colored at this point.
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10-09-2017, 05:33 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,713
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
There's only 1 for sure cure, automotive paint.
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You are totally correct. Usually anything else is only a temporary fix.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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10-17-2017, 11:51 AM
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#11
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 130
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I just waxed my 2015 33BD with Meguiars Flagship Marine cleaner/wax. I have the tan cap, not the brown, but it was oxidizing as well. They do not use good gelcoat on these things. Anyway, one coat and it looks almost new. I have used this product on my boats for years with great results. As stated, plan on this being an annual event. As far as reaching the top, I lean a 12' ladder against the cap, padded with a moving blanket, at an angle that allows me to reach the top. You will need someone to brace the ladder while you're on it.
__________________
2015 Sunset Trail Reserve ST33BD
2014 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 4X4
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10-19-2017, 06:20 AM
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#12
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: ME
Posts: 17
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Recently did the same thing with my used 2012 ST29SS Sunset Trail, which was also badly oxidized. I first used Meguiar's M4916 Marine/RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover using Meguiar's DMC6 6" DA Microfiber Cutting Disc, then followed it with Meguiar's M205 Mirror Glaze Ultra Finishing Polish and on my Dual Action buffer used a polishing bonnet and the final product used was Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax.
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10-19-2017, 01:28 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,713
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There is one less expensive alternative to a paint job. It's this product: http://www.vivilon.com/product_list.html
My son used it when out in Houston for auto body technician training. Said it really brought the gloss back to original.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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10-19-2017, 05:39 PM
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#14
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Now keep it covered as it will go again. have a marine canvas gu make a soft cover for the front.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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11-13-2017, 05:24 PM
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#15
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robb
I just waxed my 2015 33BD with Meguiars Flagship Marine cleaner/wax. I have the tan cap, not the brown, but it was oxidizing as well. They do not use good gelcoat on these things. Anyway, one coat and it looks almost new. I have used this product on my boats for years with great results. As stated, plan on this being an annual event. As far as reaching the top, I lean a 12' ladder against the cap, padded with a moving blanket, at an angle that allows me to reach the top. You will need someone to brace the ladder while you're on it.
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I just placed an order for this product and will give it a try this weekend on my faded brown cap. If it helps even a little I'll be pleased. Thanks for the recommendation.
__________________
2014 Sunset Trail Reserve 32BH
2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi 4x4 CC
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11-13-2017, 07:55 PM
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#16
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stovepipe
I just placed an order for this product and will give it a try this weekend on my faded brown cap. If it helps even a little I'll be pleased. Thanks for the recommendation.
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As stated earlier ,only automotive paint will fix the fade on brown cap . Mine was painted 3 yrs ago and looks great . Quick polymer Polish yearly and that is it ...15 minutes .and done ..
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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11-29-2017, 01:32 PM
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#17
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New Camper
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3
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Faded Front Cap 2013 Sunset Trail 31 BH
We have a 2013 Reserve Sunset Trail 31 BH by CROSSROADS we purchased last summer. Previous owner didn't look after and tried to clean front cap. The front was severely faded. I washed the trailer and used a general degreaser. Then purchased a one step Marine / RV compound and applied with a polisher. Then applied a 9H Car Ceramic Coating Kit Color N Drive which I also purchased online from Amazon. Please see the before and after pictures unbelievable difference. The truth will be after next season if it still looks good.
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11-29-2017, 02:36 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,151
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Looks super good. I'll bet it was quite a chore working around the decals so as not to damage them.
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11-29-2017, 02:52 PM
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#19
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: On
Posts: 186
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Don't think you'd ever get that gloss from paint.
Bravo
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11-29-2017, 03:19 PM
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#20
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New Camper
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
Looks super good. I'll bet it was quite a chore working around the decals so as not to damage them.
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Believe it or not but we polished over decals as well then applied ceramic coating over the whole front the one step compound brought out the shine but the ceramic coating really enhanced the gloss stickers and all. A lot of work elbow grease.
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