Greetings!  I'm excited to try Diamond Clear to restore a small RV that came factory with a lemon yellow gelocoat.  After 15 years of washing and waxing, the chalking and fading became severe enough to warrant sanding to find fresh gelcoat.  This depth of restoration cannot be repeated frequently, so I'm looking at Diamond Clear to freeze-in-time the color depth for the foreseeable future. Wax has been a major disappointment considering the labor involved.  Before sanding, I used KBS Kleen 1:10 to strip any dirt, oils, and waxes using a scotchbrite pad, and this really helped to keep the sanding disc from clogging.  Good stuff!

I have two concerns:

○  High quality gelcoat tends to be UV resistant, but over time the sun will break down the polymers to oxidize and chalk due to porosity.

○  Diamond Clear is UV stable, but does not inhibit or block UV.

Questions: 

1.  Would sealing the pristine but porous gelcoat with Diamond Clear prevent the rapid fading and chalking by reducing contact with atmospheric oxygen?

2.  Does there exist a clear (or yellow-clear) dry urethane-grade UV-blocking/absorbing additive that can be incorporated into the Diamond Clear application for added fade protection?

3.  I despise waxing and buffing more than once a year.

Okay, so the last one wasn't a question but needed to be disclosed.  I've attached a photo of my project in progress, it's easy to see the corrected gelcoat (340-400-600 grit) versus the oxidized mess.  I'm hopeful that KBS Diamond Clear is the magic solution to this most irksome malady.

 

8 hours ago, winkleo said:

Diamond Clear is UV stable, but does not inhibit or block UV.

This is not entirely correct. DiamondFinish Clear is formulated with UV absorbers. SO, it is best to use a base coat that is UV stable, but DiamondFinish Clear does provide UV protection for a period of time because DiamondFinish Clear is formulated with UV absorbers.

 

8 hours ago, winkleo said:

Would sealing the pristine but porous gelcoat with Diamond Clear prevent the rapid fading and chalking by reducing contact with atmospheric oxygen?

Absolutely and this is a common use for DiamondFinish Clear, sealing gelcoats.

 

8 hours ago, winkleo said:

Does there exist a clear (or yellow-clear) dry urethane-grade UV-blocking/absorbing additive that can be incorporated into the Diamond Clear application for added fade protection?

Yes, we have already done that for you as mentioned above.

 

8 hours ago, winkleo said:

I despise waxing and buffing more than once a year.

We wholly understand which is why most turn to DiamondFinish Clear.

 

DiamondFinish Clear sprays nicely and will give you the durability along with the UV protection needed for clear coating your RV.

 

Application Directions for DiamondFinish Clear -> https://www.kbs-coatings.com/diamondfinish-clear-directions

 

Please reach back out with any additional questions.

Excellent!  Thank you for the quick response.  I appreciate the clarification on the UV characteristics of Diamond Finish.  This is clearly the right stuff!

11 minutes ago, winkleo said:

This is clearly the right stuff!

Nice. Very nice!