Board logo

Cleaning / Polishing GRP Bodywork
Guinness - 12/6/09 at 07:31 PM

Can anyone suggest the best way of cleaning / polishing GRP bodywork?

I've been using two buckets and some Autoglym polish on mine, but I'm not massively impressed with the finish.

Mike

StevieB - 12/6/09 at 07:35 PM

Evenin' Mike!

I;m not convinced you can get such a great finish on gel coat alone, though a going over with t-cut might make a little difference.

I've tried giving my Indy a polishing up but it's just not heppening, other than cleaning it up a bit. I may resort to getting it sprayed at some point (jag metallic brg is my current choice...)

Moorron - 12/6/09 at 07:52 PM

i never really washed mine as it got wet inside so i ended up just polishing it with old T shirts. Untill i noticed i had loads of small scratches all over it and blamed the fact i wasnt washing the dirt off first and the choice of rag.

Ive spent the last week 'detailing' mine which involves t cutting it for along time. Then polish it with the right rags and i can honestly say im amazed and pleased at my efforts. I chose to get rid of every little scratch and its worked out great, just for interest i spent about 4 hours on the rear panel alone.

I use the color fast polish as it seems to help remove tar the like aswell.

owelly - 12/6/09 at 08:08 PM

I started to polish my car but got bored. Then I hit it with a shovel. Not the advise you require but I've never worried about the shine since......

StevieB - 12/6/09 at 08:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
I started to polish my car but got bored. Then I hit it with a shovel. Not the advise you require but I've never worried about the shine since......


I ran a drill chuck down part of my bodywork - gives it that 'lived in feeling' right from the start

flak monkey - 12/6/09 at 08:52 PM

Clay bar, then 3 step (cut, polish and wax) and then Jetseal (by chemical guys)

The shine lasts for a year as long as you use the 2 buckets washing method.

David

TimC - 12/6/09 at 09:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Moorron
iIve spent the last week 'detailing' mine which involves t cutting it for along time. Then polish it with the right rags and i can honestly say im amazed and pleased at my efforts. I chose to get rid of every little scratch and its worked out great, just for interest i spent about 4 hours on the rear panel alone.

I use the color fast polish as it seems to help remove tar the like aswell.


Pics please!

twybrow - 12/6/09 at 09:47 PM

Farecla polishing pastes. We used to get a mirror finish on yacht hulls. Great stuff.

Bigheppy - 12/6/09 at 10:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Guinness
Can anyone suggest the best way of cleaning / polishing GRP bodywork?

I've been using two buckets and some Autoglym polish on mine, but I'm not massively impressed with the finish.

Mike


You'll never get a shine using buckets! use a soft cloth and polish it works much better. Coats on and out of door Thee hee sorry a bottle of wine or two makes me sarcastic

omega0684 - 12/6/09 at 10:23 PM

window cleaner!

iscmatt - 13/6/09 at 12:39 AM

CLICKY

All you will ever need!!

Guinness - 13/6/09 at 07:56 AM

quote:
Originally posted by iscmatt
CLICKY

All you will ever need!!


Arrrghhh, that way leads to madness.

I don't think the lads over on detailing world would be too impressed by a photo of my plastic car! It's got no paint to correct, just some gel coat.

And after a dozen trackdays, 6,500 miles and a few close calls with the scenary, it's not looking too clever!

I can't imagine spending a week detailing the bodywork, only to go out the next weekend / trackday and get it covered in road grime or cow poo / burnt rubber, armco!

I think, on balance, I'm a driver rather than a polisher!

Mike