Front cap finish deteriorating

[levic900rr]

Hi Folks, 2020 Passport 239 ML.

I had her down in Washington DC at Cherry Hill back in April and I noticed that at the top of the front cap on a few Passports they were really chalky and looked like they almost were peeling. Fast forward and I was home washing and spray waxing mine, and the finish ON MINE is starting to fail slightly(its just not shiny or beading water) I haven't tried to polish it out or anything for the fear of overall thickness being very thin. Does anyone had any ideas for how to combat this? I'm really good about washing and spray waxing almost every time I use it... I think if worst comes to worst I'll strip the decals off the front cap and have someone put a color match grey vinyl wrap on the whole thing, then re-install the factory decals. I get that these things fade etc but 2 years in seems a little pre-mature.

Thanks!

[Bustinbeards]

I had this issue and used McGuire’s one step marine/rv compound. Cleared oxidation up and has a nice shine now.

[levic900rr]

Originally Posted by Bustinbeards

I had this issue and used McGuire’s one step marine/rv compound. Cleared oxidation up and has a nice shine now.

Thanks man, what are you using for wax? I dont want to have to compound it every year... Im scared I'll burn right through to the bedroom

[Bustinbeards]

It is a 2 in one light compound/wax it puts the shine on it also.

[dutchmensport]

I had a Keystone Outback (brand new) and after the first year, the front cap started getting blotchy spots. The trailer passed the one year mark, and my extended warranty DID NOT COVER paint!

My dealership ship went to bat for me though and Keystone agreed to a repaint. BUT, I had to pay to replace the graphics as there was nothing wrong with the graphics and that part of the bill would be on me. They wouldn't agree to the work unless I agreed to the graphics! It was a bitter proposition. I paid over a thousand dollars for those graphics, mostly of that was the labor fees. But the camper front cap did get repainted with an automotive paint. Four years later when we sold the trailer, the front cap still look show room shinny and absolutely no hint of new fading.

You can fight the fading all you want, but repaint is the only way to fix it!

[levic900rr]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

I had a Keystone Outback (brand new) and after the first year, the front cap started getting blotchy spots. The trailer passed the one year mark, and my extended warranty DID NOT COVER paint!

My dealership ship went to bat for me though and Keystone agreed to a repaint. BUT, I had to pay to replace the graphics as there was nothing wrong with the graphics and that part of the bill would be on me. They wouldn't agree to the work unless I agreed to the graphics! It was a bitter proposition. I paid over a thousand dollars for those graphics, mostly of that was the labor fees. But the camper front cap did get repainted with an automotive paint. Four years later when we sold the trailer, the front cap still look show room shinny and absolutely no hint of new fading.

You can fight the fading all you want, but repaint is the only way to fix it!

Yeah man that is what I'm afraid of... Like I said up top I think if it came to this I would go with a vinyl wrap instead of paint. Hopefully it wont come to that.

[Canonman]

I have also used McGuire’s one step marine/rv compound with good results. If the oxidation isn't too bad it will work well and leave a nice shine. If you feel like additional wax protection is needed on the cap, I'd suggest Nu Finish polish. I used both on my front cap with no problem..

[Mk3jski]

Glad to hear they did that for you. They really stink for my trailer. Mine is a whole lot worse with cracks from lack of clear coat now and a screw that cracked the front cap from underneath. I was and wax my camper at least every 2 to 3 months. My passport is under 3 years old but from the front it looks 20. Any idea how to get them to fix their mistake and poor craftsmanship?

[levic900rr]

Curious if anyone has any information on the new front skin for the Passport SL line? I've read that its now a sheet of aluminum. I was curious if this would wear better than the super thin fiberglass. Also wondering if its painted with clear coat now.

[flyingjack]

levic900rr: sending you a PM re Cherry Hill in DC. We'll be there for a week in Oct.