Front Cap Oxidation and what I did

kantonburg · 07-08-2017, 07:32 PM

Long story short. Due to medical reasons I've been unable to properly care for the TT for 8 months. During this time the front cap has oxidation. Being a recreational detailer I used my DA polisher and HD Speed which is a polish and wax in a 1-step product. Once complete the cap had that wet look a vehicle does when it's polished. I understand that most don't have the equipment or products I use, but Wal-Mart sells Meguiar's polish and compound. The polish would be equivalent to the HD Speed, but you'd have to wax afterwards. They also make DA kits for your drill. Anyway here are some pics. Oh and I know I need an inspection this month before anyone mentions it

I'm not sure why some of the pics uploaded sideways either...

MOD Guy · 07-08-2017, 07:38 PM

WOW, That looks GREAT! I need to find someone in my area to do this for my trailer.

kantonburg · 07-08-2017, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

WOW, That looks GREAT! I need to find someone in my area to do this for my trailer.

I'm not sure where you live or how big your cap is, but if I had to throw a dart I'd guess a local pro would charge $100-$200 for a 1-step with protection (wax). This is wholly dependent on area.

jstcruizen16 · 07-09-2017, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kantonburg

Long story short. Due to medical reasons I've been unable to properly care for the TT for 8 months. During this time the front cap has oxidation. Being a recreational detailer I used my DA polisher and HD Speed which is a polish and wax in a 1-step product. Once complete the cap had that wet look a vehicle does when it's polished. I understand that most don't have the equipment or products I use, but Wal-Mart sells Meguiar's polish and compound. The polish would be equivalent to the HD Speed, but you'd have to wax afterwards. They also make DA kits for your drill. Anyway here are some pics. Oh and I know I need an inspection this month before anyone mentions it

I'm not sure why some of the pics uploaded sideways either...

It looks great, did you wash before and if so what did you use to wash it with?

kantonburg · 07-09-2017, 08:14 AM

I did. Just my standard car wash.

I use this

Meguiar's Ultimate Wash and Wax

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-...d-Wax/16550244

Steelhorzz · 07-09-2017, 12:20 PM

Looks terrific!

What brand / model polisher did you use?

I've got an old orbital buffer I'm needing to upgrade...:::

Thanks!!

kantonburg · 07-09-2017, 12:43 PM

I actually got it at harbor freight
https://m.harborfreight.com/6-in-57-...not%20provided

Coupons galore. The pads are expensive. 5 inch backing plate and I used a green buff and shine pad.

Steelhorzz · 07-09-2017, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kantonburg

I actually got it at harbor freight
https://m.harborfreight.com/6-in-57-...not%20provided

Coupons galore. The pads are expensive. 5 inch backing plate and I used a green buff and shine pad.

Thanks for the info. I've Got one 3 miles from here. My next stop!! 👍😁

B and B · 07-09-2017, 01:07 PM

That looks better than the expensive mobile wash guys at Goshen. They do not do near as good a job!

kantonburg · 07-09-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B and B

That looks better than the expensive mobile wash guys at Goshen. They do not do near as good a job!

I'm not sure what they do but it's not an easy job when done properly. Technique is key.

https://youtu.be/ulWXODgg8V4

This video is nearly an hour and Mike Phillips is one of the best. He has tons of instructional videos and is the host of Competition Ready on Velocity. Granted the detail laid out in the video is fantastic and it's worth the watch. Autogeek's website has enough product to make your head spin. Amazon sells the HD speed

https://www.amazon.com/HD-Speed-All-.../dp/B0081KXJO0

kantonburg · 07-09-2017, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelhorzz

Thanks for the info. I've Got one 3 miles from here. My next stop!! ��

I just saw that they sell pads also. Unless you want a 5" backing plate it comes with a 6" plate and HF sells 6" pads. If all you want is to do your camper I'd get 2-3 polishing pads and call it a day. The front cap took me about 1 1/2 hours. You work in 1-2 ft. sections at a time with 4-6 passes over each section. Don't forget to remove the handle on the polisher so you can apply even pressure.

Lovestogo · 07-09-2017, 08:58 PM

Looks awesome!

Sebourn · 07-09-2017, 11:26 PM

Fantastic!
And did you avoid contact with the decals? It looks like even those have the extra shine as well.

kantonburg · 07-10-2017, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebourn

Fantastic!
And did you avoid contact with the decals? It looks like even those have the extra shine as well.

No I went over those as well. Lighter pressure. The polisher is very safe. Unlike a rotary buffer which can burn paint if used improperly. A DA polisher will not.

dmdrj5 · 07-10-2017, 05:00 AM

Hi kantonburg,

Thanks for the info. Forest River sent instructions to fix oxidation problem that included dry sanding followed by wet sanding before buffing with 3M super duty compound.

Am I correct in assuming you did no sanding of any kind?

Thanks again,
Don

kantonburg · 07-10-2017, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmdrj5

Hi kantonburg,

Thanks for the info. Forest River sent instructions to fix oxidation problem that included dry sanding followed by wet sanding before buffing with 3M super duty compound.

Am I correct in assuming you did no sanding of any kind?

Thanks again,
Don

Lord no. The oxidation wasn't that bad. It would have to be beyond terrible to have to wet sand and even then I'm willing to bet just the polisher with a more aggressive pad and a compound would take care of it.

ProCharger · 07-10-2017, 06:05 AM

That looks flat out amazing. Hard to believe that is a painted aluminum cap and not a fiberglass. I think I will give this a try myself even without oxidation just for that gloss effect. My grey wolf has a slightly dull finish from the factory in comparison to that.

kantonburg · 07-10-2017, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProCharger

That looks flat out amazing. Hard to believe that is a painted aluminum cap and not a fiberglass. I think I will give this a try myself even without oxidation just for that gloss effect. My grey wolf has a slightly dull finish from the factory in comparison to that.

I'm not sure. It sure felt like fiberglass leaning on it at times. It could be aluminum. Thanks for the kudos.

railroaderone · 07-10-2017, 08:15 PM

How did you reach the top where it wraps over to the roof

kantonburg · 07-10-2017, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by railroaderone

How did you reach the top where it wraps over to the roof

Had to sit on the roof. I could get 18"-24" sitting there. Below the front seam I used a step stool. And had to use a ladder to reach between the seam and where I cleaned from the roof.

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