Chrome plastic trim around Maggiolina tents

[Corey]

The upper shell on Maggiolina roof top tents such as my AirLander has plastic chrome like trim that has a groove in it that the lower edge of the upper lid fits into.
Mine has always come out of it a bit, and today after washing the rig I noticed on the left side most of it is down.

What is the best adhesive to use to fasten it back?
I take it you would just apply the adhesive to both sides of the thin upper fiberglass part, then push the trim back on?

Is the trim even really necessary to have on there?
Would it hurt anything to just take it off and chuck it for good?
It is not really doing any sealing from the elements, it is mainly for looks I believe.

You can see the trim here at the bottom edge of the upper shell.

 

[Corey]

Thanks Frenchie, being the resident Maggiolina expert I thought you might reply here.
I might look for a roll of the stuff and use it in the future, and may pull the remainder off next weekend.
I gave the rig a much needed bath today, and the top of the tent looked like a grass field with moss growing on it.

Going to use Simple Green and elbow grease next weekend to clean the top.
I have a cordless Dremel too so that might come in handy if I decide to fix this.

My AirLander is still going strong since I first got it spring of 2008.
A really nice piece of gear.

 

[Lemsteraak]

Hey Corey,

I find that 3M Fiberglass restorer works really well for cleaning the top. The gelcoat will get chalky with sun exposure and the grit in the wax is optimized for taking the soft stuff off the surface leaving the finish almost like new. The oxidation doesn't look too bad on white, my carbon tent looks really crusty and faded after a year or so. I can't imagine why anyone would want a black case, would turn a fuzzy gray in months, besides cooking anything inside. I think your old Airland was the best tent that AutoHome made, or makes, I think they still make it.

Rich

 

[Corey]

Thanks Rich.
This is what I have been using yearly along with my Porter Cable 6" random orbital.
Meguiar's M5016 Marine/RV One Step Cleaner Wax - Liquid - 16 oz.

Would the 3M be better, and does it contain wax, or would I still have to put on the Meguiars?

I think also the AirLander was one of the most popular of Autohome's tents back in 2008 when I got it.
I bought mine site unseen on suggestion from a local member over on fjcruiserforums.com who bought one.
He suggested that I buy once and be happy, and I have never regretted in spending about double what I could have got a softshell one for back then.
Funny thing is when I bought mine from Mike and a local Rack & Road shop the price increased about $400 a week later

Yep, only problem I have had is that trim hanging down.
Other than that it has been very reliable.

I scrubbed the top yesterday with a kitchen sink plastic scrub pad (non abrasive, I use them on my paint too to get stubborn pitch off of my FJ Cruiser along with Griots Speed Shine) along with some Simple Green.
It got most of the black tree gunk and pitch off.
Next time I wash the rig the left over black stuff on the tent should come off, or maybe that 3M stuff will remove contaminants too?

 

[Lemsteraak]

Corey,

You know, I don't know if Maguire's is as good as the 3M stuff. 3M owns Maguire so you would think it is the same but they way they do things, who knows? I just know it works well and I do it by hand so less polishing the better. I think with the AutoHome tents, the simpler the better, you are after quality materials. When they try to get too fancy, it starts to get a little silly. I don't see the point of most of the folding tents, we used to think of them as specialty tents. You could get a lot more room, but they create so much drag going down the road.

Rich

 

[Corey]

I will check into that 3M stuff too Rich.
I hardly even know my tent is on my FJ Cruiser unless there is an opposing strong headwind on the freeway.
It handles very well for the tent on top, OME lift, and aggressive mud tires.

I see more hard shell models coming on the market, but I have heard many complaints about opening/closing the shells, and their ladder systems.
With Autohome/Maggiolina they simply work and do it right.

 

[Corey]

Thanks Frenchie, , going to order some of that along with Gorilla Glue.
The latter we use here at work, it is great stuff.

I have seen the green tents, and I like them.
That would no doubt hide the moss that grows on mine
I just need to take the rig to a coin-op carwash more during the rainy winter months and keep the top of the tent clean.
When it sits on all winter like it did this year, it is much more difficult to clean it.

PS, which glue did you get?
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...s=gorilla+glue&sprefix=gorilla,automotive,224

 

[Corey]

No problem Frenchie.
Thanks, I will order up some on my next Amazon order which seems to be several times a week