What is gelcoat oxidation and how to prevent it?

2006 National Surfside with 12 years worth of oxidation

By: Victor Garcia, Owner

Oxidation is a destructive process that deteriorates the surface of both painted and gelcoated surfaces and is mainly caused by ultraviolet rays (when talking about paint). To get a little technical, ultraviolet light is a form of radiation that is omitted from the sun that has enough energy to break the chemical bonds of gelcoat resin. This is done through a process called ionization, in which electrons breakaway from their atoms.

Gelcoat is a polyester resin mix that is sprayed onto fiberglass during the manufacturing process that is very easy to apply and is very resilient against dents and scratches. The downside is that gelcoat is a very porous material that is susceptible to oxidation due to the pores being so large that UV rays are able to do considerably more damage. This is the reason it is very common to see faded/oxidized white and light colored RVs.

Is gelcoat the only finish that can get oxidized?

Although gelcoat is the most prolific finish to oxidize rather quickly, their are many other finishes that have the propensity to oxidize as well. Typically single stage paint and the commercial coatings that are sprayed on corrugated trailers oxidized rather quickly. Clear coated RVs do not oxidize relatively speaking but it is common for oxidation to set in on the upper ends of both the front & rear caps.

Top Left: Bare Aluminum; Top Right: Full Body Paint; Bottom Right: Gelcoat;Bottom Left: Corrugated Alumium

RV Siding Types

In the RV industry there are multiple types of siding and finishes that an RV will come with from the factory. You have Filon siding, siding painted with automotive basecoat and clearcoat , painted aluminum siding (LazyDaze), corrugated aluminum (lower end travel trailers have this siding), dye infused fiberglass (Thor offers this type of siding), and bare aluminum (Airstreams). Each of these types of siding require different techniques and tools to remove any oxidation that has started to appear.

My RV Is Brand New But Looks Oxidized

Countless times have we showed up to wash and wax a brand-new RV that is no older than two months old, only to discover it has some level of oxidation. Whether it is just a small section on the front cap or a whole upper half of a complete side, it is not an uncommon sight to see a brand new RV in this condition. This is mainly due to the fact that RVs spend many weeks/months sitting at the dealership and at the manufacturer. In conjunction with the fact that you have a gelcoat siding, it is really very common for this to be the case.

I dont know if my rv is oxidized

It is somewhat difficult for many RV owners to determine if their RV has become oxidized. Primarily because all RVs look glossy when viewed from an angle. A great method to determine if it is oxidized is to stand at a perpendicular angle to the surface. If you can make out a shiny and detailed reflection (almost mirror like), then your RV is not oxidized and would be suitable for waxing. If you can not make out any type of reflection and only a shadow, then more than likely your surface is oxidized

How To Prevent Oxidation

Painted RVs that have a good thorough wash & wax performed at least every 9 months can expect their paint to look as close to brand new as possible for the life of the RV. As for gelcoat, if they are sealed every 3 months and washed at least once in between, then you should expect the gloss to remain just like new on the majority of RVs. Now we say majority of RVs because some do come with really inexpensive siding that will require the upper half of both the rear and front caps polished twice a year since they are getting hit by the sun at least for 10 or 12 hours a day.

View our RV Polishing Services

Pricing and Procedure

Learn More