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Old 08-13-2018, 12:50 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Florida
Posts: 4
THOR #2524
2014 ACE 30.1 Gelcoat

Does anyone have any info on Gel Coat Fading issues on 2014 Ace Models?
Just paid big $$ for wash and wax, now back again after only 2 months...
I've heard there were some issues, but can't find any documentation... Thanks

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Old 08-13-2018, 06:55 PM   #2
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Florida
Posts: 51
THOR #2753
Had mine buffed and waxed at a detail shop behind Lazy Days in Tampa. Came out gorgeous, like new, only $600. It had many faded areas on it. I will admit that I didn't keep up with it the first year we had ours. Bought a 2014 in 2015, was used.
The owner of the detail shop wouldn't make any promises as to how long it would last, said maybe 3-4 months. Well it didn't last that long. Then I made the mistake of taking it to a Beacon truck wash and had the Rain X put on it. It looked even worse when it came out. So I guess the Rain X also did something to the finish.
But the guy at the detail shop also said that the factory finish on the Thor ACE was terrible and he's had lots of problems with them.
I'm not aware of any specific issues. It's just one more item that shows the quality of these units.
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Old 08-25-2018, 02:02 PM   #3
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State: Florida
Posts: 8
THOR #8516
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Originally Posted by Fooch View Post
Had mine buffed and waxed at a detail shop behind Lazy Days in Tampa. Came out gorgeous, like new, only $600. It had many faded areas on it. I will admit that I didn't keep up with it the first year we had ours. Bought a 2014 in 2015, was used.

The owner of the detail shop wouldn't make any promises as to how long it would last, said maybe 3-4 months. Well it didn't last that long. Then I made the mistake of taking it to a Beacon truck wash and had the Rain X put on it. It looked even worse when it came out. So I guess the Rain X also did something to the finish.

But the guy at the detail shop also said that the factory finish on the Thor ACE was terrible and he's had lots of problems with them.

I'm not aware of any specific issues. It's just one more item that shows the quality of these units.


I have the same problem with my 2016
Vegas 25.2. Had it detailed last year called same guy last month. He came out,looked at it and said he couldn’t do
it.. to faded. Could try special polymer but might only last 6 months and cost more then regular detailing. Mucho disappointed.. looks like crap.. Good job
Thor!
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Old 01-24-2020, 03:39 AM   #4
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 4
THOR #7396
If enough of us are having this problem, maybe we should consider a class action suit.
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Old 01-24-2020, 01:33 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
Gelcoat

Our 2016 24.1 Axis lasted less than a year outside in the SoCal sun before the front cap faded miserably. It was so bad that we had the front of the coach painted. Next, the rear cap top portion lost its shine completely. I paid a detailer to bring the finish back. It still does not last and has to be detailed again. I bought an orbital buffer and used McGuire's gelcoat restorer. The gelcoat just won't handle exposure to the elements full time. Reminds me of a boat I used to own years ago.
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Old 01-24-2020, 04:08 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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Originally Posted by Bhill View Post
If enough of us are having this problem, maybe we should consider a class action suit.

That will get you a few inches further in life but nothing from Thor. Gelcoat is gelcoat. Boats, motorhomes and everything else made if it will suffer this fading. People (not necessarily you) do not maintain this product as the should, then 2-3 years later the white streaking starts and they freak out. Best solution is a very light pressure wet-sand with 600+ grit followed with a buffing compound, then a quality polish/sealer...then keep it sealed. Simply polishing the faded, dried out chalky surface will only last a few weeks...you can't polish a turd.
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Old 01-24-2020, 05:01 PM   #7
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
Look at any 10 plus year old RV and you will see dull, faded fiberglass. It's the nature of the beast. I wash mine regularly and wax it twice a year all the while hoping for the best.
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Old 01-26-2020, 02:30 AM   #8
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
A problem with gel coat, unpainted, is that UV, or sun exposure will kill it fairly quickly. The only real fix is to have your coach painted, which is not inexpensive. Mine still looks new at three years old, but its stored inside, so is not exposed to UV, unless we are out in it. I do have it professionally waxed at least annually, which since its inside so much is adequate.
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Old 01-28-2020, 12:32 AM   #9
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.2
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,038
THOR #4687
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl View Post
Our 2016 24.1 Axis lasted less than a year outside in the SoCal sun before the front cap faded miserably. It was so bad that we had the front of the coach painted. Next, the rear cap top portion lost its shine completely. I paid a detailer to bring the finish back. It still does not last and has to be detailed again. I bought an orbital buffer and used McGuire's gelcoat restorer. The gelcoat just won't handle exposure to the elements full time. Reminds me of a boat I used to own years ago.
We found the McGuier's polish (to remove the oxidation) on an variable orbital buffer, then McGuiers wax to protect does wonders.. Of course, after six months, it looks just like it did before. Time to attack again
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