Buffing and Waxing my Trailer

[Trainman]

So after a 2 1/2 year period of owing our Elite II and setting outside in the Texas sun our fiberglass gelcoat was beginning to show some chalking and dulling and in need of a buff and wax job. Now being a retired body shop mgr. for some 35 years at a large DFW dealership doing the proper job was not a problem for me, but at 76 it wouldn't be doing it like I was 40, for sure. I used my 7" buffer and wool buffing pads, I used the Velcro system pads and buffer backing plate, the tie on pads are pretty much useless. I first buffed with Mequiar's #67 RV and Marine compound which did a very good job and really cut the oxidation, probably running the buffer back and fourth on the surface 8-10 times till the gelcoat what at a very high luster, due note here, the top of the trailer and ends we the most dulled areas on the trail, but I did the whole trail just because I didn't want to do a partial job when it comes to doing something. Due note here, I did have to use scaffolding to do the top, you will not be able to reach far enough in with a ladder, plus the scaffolding is much more safe for this old guy. I did the top and ends in one day and the sides the next day. Now for the Mequiar's Flagship RV and Marine polish which I put on by hand and took off with a orbital buffer and a polishing pad for it's final on this project, I hope this will last another couple of years before it needs another buff job, but will polish once a year to help preserve the finish. I watched several video's on YouTube on this and this guy knew what he was doing, or the way I would do it,   trainman

 

[John Dehne]

I have had great success with the Mequiar’s Flagship wax. Been using it for years. Holds up great and gives me some exercise. I will apply twice a year.

[LongStride]

Meguiar's Flagship appears to be the choice of many others as well.  We used it to wax our Elite just prior to putting it to bed for the winter.

[rideandfly]

We had water spots that normal waxing would not remove. Called Meguiar's and they recommended using Meguiar's #67 compound first then using Meguiar's Flagship wax, the combination worked great removing water spots and putting a great finish on Ollie! We used both during a two day "workout". 

 

[dewdev]

I also used both Meguirs products on my newly purchased used Olliver this spirng. I found that the 67 One Step Comppound took off the water spot markings easier than 2 other non-Meguiars products I tried. I used the Meguiar's Cleaner Wax this spring after the 67. This fall I used the Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine Wax. The Premium Marine Wax was a lot easier to apply than the Cleaner Wax and appeared to leave a far superior finish than the Cleaner Wax. Having owned a few boats in the past, these Meguiars products are a lot better than any of the other waxes I used in the past.   

[Mountainman198]

Reviving this thread for those who are not interested in the ceramic path for what ever reason. Thanks Trainman!  It works!

My gelcoat was beginning to chalk and shadows were present where the Oliver logo was removed in the lower rear.  Using a 120v makita rotary buffer, a white Presta wool pad and Meguiars One Step polish, the gel coat is again glossy and shadows have been eliminated. Took about 2 hrs to do the entire lower half of the trailer. 
 

Will finish buffing the upper half using scaffolding then apply 3M Marine paste wax by hand. 
 

While I wax the entire trailer each year, this is the first time the lower half of trailer has had to be buffed since new (upper half was buffed 2years ago for the first time).  Trailer lives outdoors 24x7x365. 

Edited September 23 by Mountainman198

[Ronbrink]

Been using the two Meguiar’s products @rideandfly highlights on our 2020 OLE ll since new. I installed fall protection on the scaffolding, and use an umbrella as not to apply said products to a heated surface and personal comfort.

[Geronimo John]

On 11/9/2021 at 6:56 AM, Trainman said:

First buffed with Mequiar's #67 RV and Marine... protected with Mequiar's Flagship RV and Marine polish

Our OE2 is in the sun out west in hot, dry and abrasive areas 3 to 5 months a year.  The rest of the time it is stored covered in a dark barn. 

This year, our 9th season, I noted that I needed  a finish tune-up, especially on the frontal facing areas.  Was time to get out th Rupes dual action, and execute a full cut and polished.  Used your method with great success.  

In retrospect, my annual Meguiars waxing has done the job well.  For our use, I will endevour to repeat the Full Monte every five years vs. pushing a decade.  The two products only cost $35 at Amazon.com and about the same at Super Walmart Centers.  A good investment.

GJ

Edited Thursday at 02:23 AM by Geronimo John

[Patriot]

After having the guys at CGI buff, polish and ceramic coat XPLOR I will never buff or wax the exterior again. It also helps storing it in our Ollie Hangar. 
 

It truly looks better than the day we took delivery. 

 

 

[Mike and Carol]

12 hours ago, Patriot said:

After having the guys at CGI buff, polish and ceramic coat XPLOR I will never buff or wax the exterior again. It also helps storing it in our Ollie Hangar. 

 

They do good work.

[Dean and Mary]

13 hours ago, Patriot said:

After having the guys at CGI buff, polish and ceramic coat XPLOR I will never buff or wax the exterior again. It also helps storing it in our Ollie Hangar. 

Hi Patriot,

Your trailer looks great, and I wish I lived close enough to have CGI do some work on mine. I really like your hangar, and I have enough space on our mountain property to potentially build something similar.

Would you mind sharing the make, model, and dimensions of your hangar?

Thanks, Dean

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, Dean and Mary said:

Your trailer looks great, and I wish I lived close enough to have CGI do some work on mine.

Dean, they were also too far away for me, almost as far as the OTT Rally and both are beyond our means.

I spent time looking around online, thinking there should be somebody in the Phoenix Valley that would do this work closer to home. One company wouldn't even look at our hull due to its age. They only coat brand new vehicles, so no extra prep/paint correction (or gel coat) work included.

Then talking to my autobody painter, he referred me to a local auto specialist who works paintless dent repairs, other detailing and custom ceramic coating, but he won't work with wax!

I observed a few examples of CGI work at the 1st Texas Rally. Beautiful work, but sticker-shock was more my gut feeling. Their Oliver website page states "starting at $3K" and one advertisement stated another $400, shared travel cost per trailer, when they travel to do their work at a rally. My guy quoted $85/ft for the full length of the trailer, 23 1/2 ft hitch to bumper. He said, "That's what it's worth and more would be over-charging." His industrial shop (he works on semi-trucks too) is just 20 miles from our home. Cameron worked on our trailer himself over a 2-week period and into Thanksgiving holiday, because he wanted "another couple of days to get it right."

It sure came out GREAT! Our Oliver sits in the Arizona sun 24x7x365. Ceramic coating it designed to repel UV rays and after 11 months she's still shiny. I'll go back for the annual service regularly. I only suds spray and pressure wash after trips when it really needs it. My arms, shoulders and body will not be used to wash or wax our hull, never have, never will. I'd rather replace trailer axles (done that) than spend a couple of hours with a buffing machine. And no wax required on ceramic.

The restorer in me wanted to get everything else exterior done before, during and after! I waited over 2 years to work the exterior, letting it get pasty while doing all the interior mods (exterior restoration post linked below).

We're going back soon for the annual "decontamination rinse and polishing." I expected it to be in the hundreds but he just quoted me $185 for the annual. Wow, something costing less than what you would expect is a rare case today. 😎

Maybe there's the right guy in your part of Colorado! Best wishes, JD

 

[FloraFauna]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

One company wouldn't even look at our hull

 

I have been looking in Wisconsin.  I ceramic coated my TV as a trial - its worth it in that case. On the Oliver it would make cleanup and annual maintenance so, so much easier.  I have made a couple of local inquiries, sent pictures, the whole 9 yards.  So far, they never call me back.  I don't know but in retirement I tend not to chase after people.  If they dont want the business or have the courtesy to reply then guess I am better off.

[Dean and Mary]

21 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I observed a few examples of CGI work at the 1st Texas Rally. Beautiful work, but sticker-shock was more my gut feeling. Their Oliver website page states "starting at $3K" and one advertisement stated another $400, shared travel cost per trailer, when they travel to do their work at a rally. My guy quoted $85/ft for the full length of the trailer, 23 1/2 ft hitch to bumper. He said, "That's what it's worth and more would be over-charging." His industrial shop (he works on semi-trucks too) is just 20 miles from our home. Cameron worked on our trailer himself over a 2-week period and into Thanksgiving holiday, because he wanted "another couple of days to get it right."

John, that’s a lot of great information. Thanks for sharing the details. This will most likely be my next DIY project. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on the forum about how to achieve the best results, and I have a Little Giant scaffold that should make the job easier, or at least safer.