GRP Scratch Removal.

[sennen523]

Hi All,
I've a scratch about 2 metres long on the rear panel of my van caused by a barrier coming down when leaving the Aire at Souillac, France.
It's white & GRP and can just feel the scratch edges with my finger nail. Does anyone know how I can polish this out or recommend a good product to use?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Al.

 

[funflair]

You will only loose it completely by flatting the whole area back and that would not be practical or advisable so next best is to just clean it possibly with a fine wet and dry and then clean up with a cutting/polishing compound.

 

[Lenny HB]

The Gel coat on Motorhomes is very thin so may not be possible.
Try and find a local boat repair guy he will be able to sort it.

 

[cyberyacht]

You could try filling it with touch-up paint to bring the level up and when hard blend in with T-Cut and polish.

 

[Newfie]

You can get GRP repair kits depending on how bad it is, just search on grp repair kit
Also some videos of diy repairs available

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[sonar]

HOW TO REPAIR SCRATCHES. SMALL AND LARGE.

Firstly there are more than one colour white with a real code.

yes it will have a real code .

I expect it to be. Ral

That’s the first thing to find out. I suspect it will be a std white.

you will need to contact a GRP supplier near your area.
then you can order a very small tin of. Flowcoat or a small pot of gel coat IN WAX. or you may have to buy a small amount of wax to mix into the gelcoat as you mix in the catalyst .

gelcoat is thicker than Flowcoat
make sure the scratch is clean.
tape either side of the scratch if you can.. If you can’t then it is a small artist brush a steady hand and apply three layers
of flowcoat while tacky. Or. a single thick coat of Gelcoat in wax.

then the sanding with 400 wet and dry plenty of soapy water and a sanding block or flat timber block.

if there are any bits that have not been sanded and still shines then that section will not another coat.

all level after the first light sand then go down the grades until you reach 1200 grit

So. 400. 600. 800 1000 1200.

when done .Then you will need some G3 cutting compound apply with a damp and soft clean cloth.
do this several times and your notice that there is a scratch free shine.

polish off with a soft dry cloth. And it will really shine.

but if it is the wrong white it will stick out like a sore thumb.
apply the same all over the rear end .



so your need. Soft cloths clean polish on and off
wet and dry sanding papers as above.
a bottle of nail varnish remover. Is Actone cleaning the scratch and brush after use.
Flow coat. Or. Gelcoat .
A small bottle of catalyst
a small bottle of wax additive.
G 3 cutting compound.
a bucket and soapy liquid.
masking tape.
a small brush that will fill the width of the scratch.

need more information just post. Here. Sonar.

 

[SSILVO]

If you have no experience I would get a mobile repair van in ...I had scratches on my rear wheel Arch that was very noticeable and quite deep. they analyzed the color and mixed it in the van ...it was about an hour and half and a perfect repair.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you have no experience I would get a mobile repair van in ...I had scratches on my rear wheel Arch that was very noticeable and quite deep. they analyzed the color and mixed it in the van ...it was about an hour and half and a perfect repair.

They won't do a proper Gel coat repair they will just fill & spray, not the correct way of doing the job.

 

[Nanniemate]

Wast it wax it and try to forget about it you spend very little time looking g at the back.and you can't see ot from jnside

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Wast it wax it and try to forget about it you spend very little time looking g at the back.and you can't see ot from jnside

I can just about understand that. Good plan

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[SSILVO]

They won't do a proper Gel coat repair they will just fill & spray, not the correct way

They used a clear gel with tints and catalyst, the guy said they get a lot of motorhomes now and the odd boat .it had not gone down to the core though so iI was lucky .....totally invisible repair and no issue since oh except I couldnt take it out in rain or wash for 24 hours.

 

[sonar]

The op never came back again on this subject…….