Creasing along top of front cap

[malibu43]

We just had the front cap replaced under warranty on our 2021 Passport. I noticed this morning that there is a little bit of creasing near the top where the tightest bend is. I've seen this before on other trailers, but our old front cap did not have this. There's no cracking or sharp edges where the creases are. They are visible when the lighting is right.

Is this anything to be concerned about?

[malibu43]

Here is another shot from the top of the trailer.

[LHaven]

I always assumed these caps were molded, not bent. I'd hate to think that because it was a warranty job, they used a "second" that was lying around.

[malibu43]

It does kind of look like it wasn't quite a perfect fit and creased when being forced to match the curve.

[chuckster57]

It’s not going to hurt anything as long as it’s sealed, but I would have thought they would have done a better job. Personally I would be asking for a do over.

[malibu43]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It’s not going to hurt anything as long as it’s sealed, but I would have thought they would have done a better job. Personally I would be asking for a do over.

Thanks. I sent some pictures to the dealer to ask what they think.

The front cap was replaced under warranty for fading of the gel coat (surprised it was included in the 3yr extended warranty). But it seems now like I've traded one cosmetic issue for another. I specifically mentioned this concern to the dealer before deciding to move forward (not wanting to fix a cosmetic problem and end up with something worse) and was told they replace front caps all the time and it will be fine...

[malibu43]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It’s not going to hurt anything as long as it’s sealed, but I would have thought they would have done a better job. Personally I would be asking for a do over.

Would these creases cause a problem down the road if I have the front cap polished? If they are high points is a rotary polisher more likely to burn through the clear coat in those spots?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by malibu43

Would these creases cause a problem down the road if I have the front cap polished? If they are high points is a rotary polisher more likely to burn through the clear coat in those spots?

A good coat of high quality wax should be all you ever need.

[malibu43]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

A good coat of high quality wax should be all you ever need.

Curious - what was would you recommend?

[chuckster57]

I use liquid Nu finish

[malibu43]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I use liquid Nu finish

Is it the "Once a Year Polish" or "One a Year Polish and Sealant"?

[chuckster57]

Once a year with sealant.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by malibu43

Is it the "Once a Year Polish" or "One a Year Polish and Sealant"?

I use the new finish, twice a year. This is a polymer, not a wax. They have to call it a polish because there is no wax in the product, and it is really not a polish either. There is no grit in it like a real polish. You want to apply the second coat about 3 months after the first. It should last till same time next year. A THIN coat is all you need, and I mean THIN COAT. Otherwise it can be difficult to wipe off excess. Any real wax is the same, a THIN coat is all that is required. So many folks use too much product and end up wasting more than 50% of their product. With NuFinish, or any wax, wipe it off as soon as you see it start to dry to a haze. Even if it hasn’t dried completely, you will still get the adherence protection. You only get a few microns that adhere to the surface. Everything else is wasted, which is why you want THIN coats. Real polish should be wiped off while still wet, even if the directions say let dry to haze. Real polish doesn't leave much protection even if water beads up, its the smoothness of the surface after polishing and some of the chemicals left behind that causes water to bead, for a short while. A good wax job should immediately follow a polishing. I owned a detail shop at one time and some local high school kids wanted to learn how to do professional detailing for their muscle cars, so thats how the detail shop happened. I learned a lot with those kids. Was fun. Hope this helps.

[malibu43]

Thanks guys. You have me pretty excited about the NuFinish Polish+Sealant. Almost sounds too good to be true. At some point in the next several weeks I'll bring the trailer home from storage, give it a wash and try the NuFinish.