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How to Remove Oxidation from a Fiberglass Travel Trailer (and Prevent It for Good)

Updated: 2 minutes ago




Side-by-side image of oxidized and restored fiberglass trailer after professional detailing and ceramic coating by CGI Detailing"

By CGI Detailing – Professional Ceramic Coatings


If your fiberglass travel trailer has started to look dull, chalky, or faded — I assure you, you’re not alone. Oxidation is one of the most common problems any fiberglass trailer owner faces such as Escape, Casita, Oliver, and Bigfoot, especially after years of sun exposure.


The good news? Oxidation can be removed and prevented, but it takes the right process and products — not just a quick wax!


At CGI Detailing, we specialize in restoring fiberglass trailers and protecting them with gelcoat-specific ceramic coatings that last 2+ years. In this guide, we’ll break down what oxidation is, how to safely remove it, and how to keep it from coming back for good.


☀️ What Is Oxidation and Why Does It Happen?

Fiberglass trailers are protected by a clear outer gelcoat layer. This gelcoat is porous, and over time, UV rays, moisture, heat, and oxygen break it down over time. Oxidation causes your trailer to:

  • Lose gloss

  • Turn chalky or milky white

  • Feel rough to the touch

  • Attract and hold dirt more easily

Left untreated, oxidation only gets worse — eventually requiring heavy compounding, wet sanding, and in some cases, re-painting.


🔍 Common Signs Your Trailer Is Oxidizing

  • Dull finish compared to when new

  • White powdery residue comes off when you rub it

  • Faded graphics or decals

  • Uneven shine — often worse on the front cap or roof

  • Water no longer beads on the surface

🧪 Owners often notice oxidation between 1-2 years if not properly maintained.


🧼 Can You Remove Oxidation Yourself?

Yes, Oxidation can be removed with the correct combination of tools, compounds, and pads— but it’s easy to do more harm than good.

🚫 DIY Pitfalls:

  • Creating swirl marks or haze on the surface

  • Failing to fully remove oxidation (leaving it to return rapidly)

  • Not protecting the surface afterward causing oxidation to return quickly

For moderate to heavy oxidation, professional tools and techniques are the safest and most effective route.


🧰 Our 3-Step Oxidation Removal Process

At CGI Detailing, we use a safe, proven approach to restore fiberglass gelcoat:

1. Surface Decontamination

We wash the trailer thoroughly and remove contaminants like:

  • Bug splatter

  • Black streaks

  • Road tar

  • Tree sap

2. Multi-Stage Correction

We adjust our process based on the severity of oxidation, using both rotary and dual-action polishers for optimal results.

✅ For trailers with severe oxidation, we begin with:

Then we move into a two-step refinement process using a dual-action (DA) polisher:

  1. Correction Pass

    • Dual Action Polisher (We use DeWalt, but there are several good polishers on the market today, a notable, versatile polisher would be the Rupes brand of polishers)

    • Microfiber cutting pad

    • Medium-grade compound

    • Removes residual haze, swirl marks, and scratches left from the rotary step

  2. Final Polish Pass

This ensures the surface is clean, consistent, and oxidation-free before we lock it in with long-term protection.

3. IPA Wipe Down & Coating Prep

Once the gloss is restored, we wipe the surface with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove polishing oils and prepare it for coating.


🔒 How to Prevent Oxidation for Good

The truth is, even high-end waxes only last 2–3 months, and RVs sit out in the elements far longer than that. If you want real protection that lasts:

✅ Ceramic Coating Is the Best Long-Term Solution

We apply two layers of Glidecoat ALPHA, a marine-grade graphene ceramic coating designed for gelcoat surfaces. It provides:

  • 2+ years of protection

  • Extreme UV resistance

  • Hydrophobic self-cleaning properties

It’s not a car ceramic coating — it’s made specifically for RVs and boats with porous fiberglass shells.

💧 Water beads right off. Bugs, grime, and black streaks don’t stick. And washing becomes a breeze.

📖 Explore our blog on how long ceramic coating lasts


💵 How Much Does It Cost to Remove Oxidation?

Cost depends on your trailer’s size and the severity of oxidation, it also depends on whether you plan on doing it yourself or hiring a professional! Visit CGI Detailing's "Detailing tools" page to see what tools, compounds, and polishes are needed for your specific situation.


Prices for each brand of travel trailer are listed on CGI Detailing's website so you can see exactly what we charge for oxidation removal and ceramic coating (heavy oxidation removal costs on average $200-$400 more than the starting price listed on CGI's website)


🗓️ Book Your Oxidation Removal Before It Gets Worse

Oxidation doesn’t slow down — it spreads across your trailer the longer it's left untreated. The sooner you restore the surface and protect it, the better the long-term results.

CGI Detailing is based in Murfreesboro, TN, and we specialize in fiberglass trailer restoration and ceramic protection. From Escape trailers, casitas to Bigfoot and Oliver models, we’ve brought back gloss to even the dullest finishes.

📞 Ready to bring your trailer back to life? Book your service now or contact us for a quote.


CGI is coming to Texas! October 2025.

If you're interested in having us come to you, visit our travel schedule page to see exactly where we're going! The best part of it, we do it at your house, wherever you are! So all you have to do is sit back and relax!

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