Don't do as I did when applying ZEP

[Rene T]

I've got a guy buffing the oxidation off the entire rig. Only charging me $200.00.  Today I was able to get started on the outside wall of my big slide and the front end cap. I started on the slide first.  I watched a UTube video about a guy showing how to apply ZEP. He said to get a pail of water with about 1" deep of water and drop the rag in it. Then wring it out and fold it so you get  roughly 4" X 4" pad to work with. He said after wringing it out then pour some Zep on it. He only put on about a capful. I did all that. I put on 1 coat and it looked like crap. I did 2 more coats and it still looked like crap. I was surprised because so many members raved about it.
When I was putting it on, it had the tendency to run real easy and that got me thinking.    That get's me in trouble a lot. 
I thought that maybe the water was thinning out the Zep.  The 4th coat I just used a dry cloth and I put some Zep an it and started again. Right now I've got 5 coats on it and it's just starting to pop. I can still see the little runs from the first 3 coats but I'm hoping they get covered over.
I did 2 coats on the front cap. The first was with the wet rag and the 2nd was with just the Zep rag. It looks sooooo good. Tomorrow I'll put on a couple more on the cap and that should do it.

The moral of the story, DO NOT use a water damp rag. Use a dry microfiber rag.

[kdbgoat]

Rene- when you finish yours, you can try the dry microfiber rag theory out on mine! I don't want you to leave us hanging without knowing for sure.

[Rene T]

Rene- when you finish yours, you can try the dry microfiber rag theory out on mine! I don't want you to leave us hanging without knowing for sure.

You are so kind thinking of me.  I think I know the problem now I have to deal with the slide wall. I may have to strip it down to bare bones again. If I keep adding Zep, I think you'll still see the remnants of the first three coats and it will always look like crap.
I'll keep you in mind. 

[VallAndMo]

Hi Rene,

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is this ZEP you are talking about? Tried to look it up and the nearer I got was some kind of wax floor polish, but I don't think that's what you are referring to...

Cheers,
--
   Vall.

[Rene T]

Hi Rene,
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is this ZEP you are talking about? Tried to look it up and the nearer I got was some kind of wax floor polish, but I don't think that's what you are referring to...
Cheers,
--
   Vall.

That's exactly what it is. If you do a search here for ZEP, you'll find many posts about it. If applied CORRECTLY, it rejuvenates the finish on RV's especially old one's and gives the RV a wet look which is suppose to last a year with some minor touch up or maintenance after a year.  We'll see. The biggest thing is prepping the surface. You have to remove ALL traces of paste wax and oxidation.  Zep also brings back the color of decals, to a certain extent.

[kdbgoat]

I may have to strip it down to bare bones again. If I keep adding Zep, I think you'll still see the remnants of the first three coats and it will always look like crap.

Man... that sucks. That's a lot of work to go through. I assume Zep makes a remover?

[Rene T]

Man... that sucks. That's a lot of work to go through. I assume Zep makes a remover?

Yes they do. I'm going to get some today and give it a shot. Luckily it's only my slide wall which has to be done and that's about 8' long with a couple of windows so there isn't much surface area.

[NY_Dutch]

Hi Rene,

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is this ZEP you are talking about? Tried to look it up and the nearer I got was some kind of wax floor polish, but I don't think that's what you are referring to...

Cheers,
--
   Vall.

Just to be clear, the ZEP product used for RV finish rejuvenation is an acrylic floor finish, not a "wax". The results and method of applying it are very similar to much more expensive specialty acrylic products marketed for refinishing fiberglass on boats and RV's. ZEP even smells the same as the more expensive products...

[NY_Dutch]

A note to anyone looking for more information related to using ZEP "Wet Look" acrylic floor finish on RV's: You may run across references to using "Red Max Pro" acrylic floor finish with extensive instructions for using it on RV's. "Red Max Pro" was exactly the same product as ZEP "Wet Look", and in fact was packaged by ZEP as a private labeled product sold by Lowe's. Lowe's has since discontinued carrying it under the Red Max label, but does carry the ZEP product now, so anything you read about using Red Max also applies to ZEP.

[Rene T]

Man... that sucks. That's a lot of work to go through. I assume Zep makes a remover?

I just purchased a gallon of the Zep stripper and tried it in a small section still in the shade. Looks like it's going to work real good.  After the sun goes away later on today, I'm going to tackle it. Then I'll wash the surface real good with soap and water then start over again applying Zep with a dry cloth.

[blw2]

I didn't use Zep brand, but a different brand acrylic floor polish
Mine was the same...a lot of coats for it to look good.

Sometime later I went over it with one or two coats to bring it back.... I'm way past due to do that again... but I'd say it still looks better than it did originally even now after a lot of time and miles

[Rene T]

I didn't use Zep brand, but a different brand acrylic floor polish
Mine was the same...a lot of coats for it to look good.

Sometime later I went over it with one or two coats to bring it back.... I'm way past due to do that again... but I'd say it still looks better than it did originally even now after a lot of time and miles

Brad, how long ago did you do the 1st application?

[blw2]

I want to say it was summer before last, but can't remember exactly which month...
I re coated I think it was the end of last summer....one coat I believe, but it might have been two....just a quick go over
haven't done it at all this year....yet.  Doesn't look great now, but likely a tiny bit better than it was before the initial go....  At this point, I probably should go over it with the scrub again first.... but if I can get to it in the next couple months will likely try just a good washing then a couple coats to see how it looks.....

When I did mine originally, I went over the whole coach very thoroughly scrubbing hard with barkeeper's friend, then followed by the many coats of polish

[Rene T]

I just finished stripping the Zep. It came off fairly easy. Starting from the bottom and working up, I went over a small area several times then while it was still wet, I washed it down with soap and water then a good rinse. After it dried, I found a couple of small spots I missed so I did it again. Letting it dry right now for a final inspection then I'll start applying the Zep gain.

[John Beard]

Does Zep do a better job than a properly applied paste wax?

[Rene T]

Does Zep do a better job than a properly applied paste wax?

I don't have an answer for you because I never hand waxed my rig. Too much work.  So far, this Zep appears to be working out real good.
Other experienced members may chime in.

[kdbgoat]

I'm happy for you that it came off easy. I envisioned quite a mess. It would have been if I were doing it.

[Rene T]

I'm happy for you that it came off easy. I envisioned quite a mess. It would have been if I were doing it.

I didn't sleep much last night thinking about the grief I was about to get into.

[kdbgoat]

I was thinking it would be a sticky goo, getting all over the windows, gaskets, etc.

[blw2]

Does Zep do a better job than a properly applied paste wax?

probably not.... especially if your surface is nice to begin with anyway.

I have also read that there are long term problems doing it.... it turns yellow or some such thing.  Once reason I haven't been too over zealous about re-applying..... but my gut tells me the stuff will weather off soon enough so I'm not too concerned

Thing is, it's a floor polish, not engineered to be a vehicle polish...different environments so likely not as good on many counts...

that being said.... My MH was faded in places fairly bad.  I tried and tried to buff it out with various compounds and waxes.  Even bought myself an electric buffer.  I never could get it looking worth a hoot.
Tried the barkeeper's friend / floor polish routine and wow.  Not as good as new paint job, and some pro detailers might be able to match the look with proper materials, but it sure did look a whole lot better.

[chuckbear]

I have never seen instructions for Zep to use water and pour a cap full on the rag. I can understand why it looks terrible. We did ours two years ago and other than an annual maintenance coat, it looks as good today as the day we did it. The process is simple but important. Scrub the entire coach with powdered barkeepers friend and a fine scrub pad, rinsing thoroughly. Then wash the entire coach down with a solution of TSP. Let everything dry completely. Pour the Zep out of the container and into a bucket. Only pour small amounts at a time. Maybe an inch in the bottom of the bucket. Using a LINT FREE rag, folded in quarters, soak up some of he Zep, wring out the rag so it is damp and not dripping wet. Wipe down the coach, one coat at a time until you have five coats applied, regularly soaking and wringing out. It's important to spread thin coats so there is no runs. That's it. Our 1999 Bounder finished looks like new and has held up just fine on our current trip. We just surpassed 10,000 miles and have about 3 months left to go. Chuck

[Rene T]

I have never seen instructions for Zep to use water and pour a cap full on the rag. I can understand why it looks terrible.

Well here they are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGAjiUA3h3I

Remember, DO NOT use any water. Start out with a dry micro fiber cloth.

[chuckbear]

Unfortunately the instructions are totally incorrect. There are probably hundreds of other videos with the correct instructions. Sorry you got mislead but remember, just because it's on the internet, doesn't mean it's true. Good luck with the redo. Once done right, you should be very happy. Chuck

[Rene T]

Unfortunately the instructions are totally incorrect. There are probably hundreds of other videos with the correct instructions. Sorry you got mislead but remember, just because it's on the internet, doesn't mean it's true. Good luck with the redo. Once done right, you should be very happy. Chuck

I did strip it to what I thought was good enough but I guess it wasn't. After putting on 4 coats the correct way after stripping and washing, , I can still see a little bit of swirl marks from the original application. Don't believe anyone will notice it unless they go right up to it and look real hard.  Even with that, I am still very pleased.  I did the front cap the correct way and it looks perfect. When we get home from FL next spring, I may just strip it down again and start over. It's only on my slide out wall. I'm waiting now for the guy to buff the rest of the RV so I can finish the Zep application on the remainder of the rig.

Here are couple of tips:

Make sure the RV is super clean and all the oxidation is gone.
Apply the Zep with a clean/dry Micro Fiber cloth.
Fold the cloth so as to end up with a 6" X 6" square or there about.
Pour some Zep on the cloth maybe 1/4 cup. You don't want it dripping wet.
Apply the Zep by rubbing back and forth a few times in a couple of directions.
When you feel a little resistance, STOP. Don't try to go over it again. Wait until it dries completely.
Step back and look very closely for any runs. Get them now before they dry.
I believe three coats would be enough. I went with 4. It doesn't take long to apply.
After about 20 minutes apply another coat.

 

[blw2]

I seem to recall for the acrylic stuff I used on the coach....and the stuff my mom used to put on floors... the directions were to apply small qty to a damp rag.
As in no dripping wet, just damp.  I think it helps to distribute the stuff a bit.... but honestly I can't see where it matters that much if the rag is dampened first with water or just dampened with the polish....

[Rene T]

I seem to recall for the acrylic stuff I used on the coach....and the stuff my mom used to put on floors... the directions were to apply small qty to a damp rag.
As in no dripping wet, just damp.  I think it helps to distribute the stuff a bit.... but honestly I can't see where it matters that much if the rag is dampened first with water or just dampened with the polish....

Brad, in my situation with Zep, I think it thinned it out too much and went on sparsely causing streaks. And the next coat just covered it but was stll visible. I think the first coat is the critical one. If it's not done correctly, it will show and any subsequent coats will not cover it. It just magnifies it. It's the same as clear coating a car which had a terrible paint job.

[chuckbear]

As in no dripping wet, just damp.  I think it helps to distribute the stuff a bit.... but honestly I can't see where it matters that much if the rag is dampened first with water or just dampened with the polish....

There should be absolutely NO WATER used in the ZEP process. Other than washing. Chuck

[Lordismyshepherd]

I know some folks get a lot of enjoyment from doing things like this themselves. For me reading this post helped me validate my theory of how much is my time and labor worth, how much aggravation do I save myself, and do I need to invest in any specialty items to accomplish the task, vs the cost of having a professional do the job.  I am not very mechanically inclined, so more often than not, I'll let the pros do what they do best, in half the time it takes me, usually with better results and more often than not at a break even cost. 

[catblaster]

    I put this on about 5 years ago and wish I never had. I have used the remover that is made for it along with many other products and the only two things that I have found that work well is wet sanding and lacquer thinner. It developed a mold underneath and looked so bad I have pressure washed it many times, with plain water and with house cleaner.
    It looked really great for several months and we were all impressed wit how good it looked. Just too bad mine went bad so quick.
    We still have a lot of it and use it now just for the floors inside.