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Oxidation of Blue Paint
Yahoo Message Number: 148316
Our '06 LD has extreme oxidation on the lower blue part of the paint.  The first owner, it seems, didn't do much maintenance on our "Bella."  I've reviewed threads about clean-up, washing and waxing, but wanted to know specifically if anyone had experience with this issue.  The blue paint almost looks like it has brush strokes where something was used for some purpose.  Short of having her repainted, I'd like to explore any and all suggestions.

Thanks for any advice and experience you can share with me.

Jules
'O6 IB Anniversary Model
Sue, My Copilot
Carlie, our canine princess

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 148319
No need for an expensive re-paint. Here is what you need:Meguiar's M4916 Marine/RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover - 16 oz.                             Meguiar's M4916 Marine/RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Rem...   Amazon.com: Meguiar's M4916 Marine/RV Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover - 16 oz.: Automotive              View on www.amazon.com          Preview by Yahoo              Lazy Daze does not use clear coat. That is why the paint oxidizes. Use the #49 to remove the oxidation. Then protect the paint on a regular basis using either this:Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax - 32 oz.                             Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax - 32 oz.   Amazon.com: Meguiar's M6332 Flagship Premium Marine Wax - 32 oz.: Automotive              View on www.amazon.com          Preview by Yahoo              Or this:Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0 - 16 oz.                             Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0 - 1...   Amazon.com: Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0 - 16 oz.: Automotive              View on www.amazon.com          Preview by Yahoo              I currently use the #21 Sealant. It lasts twice as long as the Marine Wax. However, the Marine Wax has a better shine. The #21 Sealant should be reapplied every six months. Kevin LindsayGarden Grove CA2000 Lazy Daze 30' IB
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Kevin Lindsay
2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 148320
Hi Jules,

My 1991 wasn't really chalky but it was faded.  I used McGuire's #81 compound with a wool pad on the makita grinder/polisher.  I had to keep the pad pretty wet but it brought the paint right back to life.  I still have a section of the passenger side to do when the weather cools down.

The Lazy Daze has some really good paint.

-Bill

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 148321
Bill:

I would not recommend any non-professional to use a wool pad or a straight polisher. There is a very steep learning curve with both of those. Very easy to damage the finish.

If you need to use power, which isn't necessary, although it does save time, use a yellow foam pad on a Dual Action Polisher such as the Porter Cable:

PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher

Kevin Lindsay Garden Grove CA 2000 Lazy Daze 30' IB
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Kevin Lindsay
2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 148324
Good point. It takes a light touch and typical care afforded power tools.

The porter cable is an amazing tool that does wonderful work.  But this paint is tough.  Using a porter cable would take a couple of weeks.

Maybe the best advice is to pay a professional to polish it.

But I don't think chemical cleaners or sealants  are really going to do much.

It's going to take some elbow grease.

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 148330
Meguiar's #49 will remove the oxidation. And yes, it does take elbow grease. It can take a day by hand to complete one side of a 30' LD. Less with a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher.

Finding a professional to do it correctly is not easy. Most see lots of dollar signs when a RV approaches their shop. Even then, I would watch them very carefully.

Kevin
Kevin Lindsay
2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #6
Yahoo Message Number: 148334
"No need for an expensive re-paint."

It depends on how far gone it is, and that depends on where you've been traveling and what color it is. In my case, the red paint on my 2003 midbath was so oxidized that nothing would make it look good. Over the years I had tried every kind of wax, polish, rubbing compound (both 3M's and Meguiar's), hand-rubbing, industrial buffers and everything in between. The fiberglass parts in particular (fender skirts, compartment doors, etc.) looked atrocious.

I'm not one of those people who obsess over their vehicle's exterior, but it had gotten to the point where it bothered even me, and nothing I could do would make it look better. So I resigned myself to having it repainted. I called around to places where others had had repaint jobs done, and got quotations in the $10,000-$20,000 range. Ouch!

Then I called the factory. Vince said they could repaint just the red stripes (the white portions looked fine) for about $7,500, or the whole coach for $10,000. I made an appointment (four months in advance) and booked a guest house in Pasadena via AirBnB for the three weeks it would take. (Actually it ended up taking a little over two weeks, but Vince had warned me that "something always comes up," so I didn't want to be scrambling for a place to stay a few more days.)

Vince cautioned that they'd do the best they could, but led me to expect it would be improved--not perfect. When I went to pick up the rig, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was so glossy it almost hurt to look at. Looked as if it had been dipped in red nail polish. ;-) Looked better than new. (They didn't have any new red coaches on the lot to compare it to, so maybe I was exaggerating, but still...)

I was flabbergasted. Cost was within a hundred bucks or so of Vince's original $7,500 estimate, and that included some minor repairs such as replacing the shower skylight and escape hatch with much sturdier ones.

When I asked about the best way to keep it looking good, Steve Newton said, "Mainly, just keep it clean." So now I'm motivated to take better care of the exterior, and thinking seriously about buying the Wash Wax ALL kit. (By the way, it's fifteen bucks cheaper from Amazon.)

Moral: sometimes there's no compound or miracle polymer that will bring back a finish. When you reach that stage, repainting is expensive... but if you have it done by the factory, it will be less expensive than elsewhere, the job will be done right... and the results will be shockingly good.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #7
Yahoo Message Number: 148337
Do you by any chance have BEFORE and AFTER pictures that you could post in the files?  Or a link to your website where these photos might be seen?

Virtual hugs,

Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #8
Yahoo Message Number: 148338
Quote
Moral: sometimes there's no compound or miracle polymer that will bring back >a finish. When you reach that stage, repainting is expensive... but if you have it >done by the factory, it will be less expensive than elsewhere, the job will be >done right... and the results will be shockingly good.
Another moral: If you own a red Lazy Daze, do NOT ignore the paint. Lazy Daze does not believe in modern clear coat. Clear coat helps protects the paint underneath. Red is the most difficult Lazy Daze color to bring back from oxidation, and sometimes it is not possible to do it.

Kevin
Kevin Lindsay
2000 Lazy Daze 30 IB

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #9
Yahoo Message Number: 148339
"Another moral: If you own a red Lazy Daze, do NOT ignore the paint."

Very true, Kevin, and I plead guilty.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #10
Yahoo Message Number: 148341
"Do you by any chance have BEFORE and AFTER pictures that you could post in the files?"

I'll have a post on my Skylarking website eventually, but I'm in the middle of another project right now. But I've just posted a few photos here on the website, in an album called "Skylark repaint job 2014", to give you an idea.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

 
Re: Oxidation of Blue Paint
Reply #11
Yahoo Message Number: 148520
Oh my gosh!  I just saw your pictures of Skylark, Andy, and it is BEAUTIFUL!!  I am so very impressed!  WOW! Thanks for sharing, Tessa in TX '92 MB- Ciao Baby