Hello nomad friends.....hope everyone is healthy. I have a 2008 Jayco optimum long wheel base with only 77000 kms and was under cover for the first 8 years of it life. Since I purchased it in 2016 I have only done 20000 ks and have polished it twice. I would like to hear what others have done as I am in the belief that this is a common problem and related to a manufacturing issue. This seems a serious issue. Thanks. Carmela
-- Edited by Carmela_123 on Monday 19th of April 2021 10:54:13 AM
Hi Carmela, Welcome to GN's After 13 years most paintwork would more than likely require some professional attention and I doubt that any deterioration of gel coat is due to faulty manufacturing. Perhaps a local auto finisher could offer you some professional finish options.
Looking at your photos the "scratches" appear to be made by mechanical means perhaps a cover
-- Edited by Possum3 on Monday 19th of April 2021 01:07:38 PM
-- Edited by Possum3 on Monday 19th of April 2021 05:13:23 PM
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Australia is savage on plastics that are in constant exposure to UV.
Fibreglass is not exception as the resins bonding the glass fibres together along with the gel coat are just another type of plastic.
After 13 years I would be expecting to see some deterioration and something like your photos would not be a suprise.
Composite construction certainly has it's advantages, but like all things there are downsides as well,, and this is one of them for composite construction.
Even other types of construction would be showing some signs of deterioration after 13 years and 5 in the weather.
See if you can find someone who does fibreglass restoration work and get their advice. You can find them usually in the boating area.
Welcome to the gang Carmela, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I agree with Greg about the weather not being kind to vans etc here in OZ. I have only just this weekend gone, replaced the rear lights on the aluminium tent for the second time. Including the original that's three sets now. I have been told the ones put on yesterday will NOT fade and cost a lot more this time around so they better last.
I second speaking to a panel shop about your problem.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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Hi Carmela I agree with the above advice. Just to qualify myself I'm a life long recently retired automotive spraypainter also spent a lot of time painting superyachts so I'm familiar with composite finishes. Have a good spraypainter buff a small section to see how deep the scratches are, your caravan has colour mixed with the gelcoat to provide an attractive finish, it's very thick and you will be amazed what can be polished out. If they are deep (it's hard to tell looking at pics) and you wish to have it looking like brand new you will need to have it painted, be aware that the best 2pak finishes look very nice but are not as hard wearing as the original coloured gelcoat. Good luck cheers.
