How to get this to shine again

[James-Alex]

Hiya folks!
Any idea what will get this all back to shine?
Apologies for poor pic it’s hard to take. Thanks in advance

 

[Speve]

My roof went like that at front end it was GRP so I gave it a good going over with 3m GRP restorer and then a polish with Autoglym resin polish and a coat of colonite wax, looks a lot better but not really up to my standard so am going to give it another try but need to be careful as to much rubbing can bugger up GRP

 

[James-Alex]

Cheers Speve i had read about using maguires boat cleaning range. Have read to that different manufacturers use different coatings. We have an Autotrail. Just winds me right up when I clean it. It’s almost like the previous owner was to short to get to the top

 

[Speve]

Cheers Speve i had read about using maguires boat cleaning range. Have read to that different manufacturers use different coatings. We have an Autotrail. Just winds me right up when I clean it. It’s almost like the previous owner was to short to get to the top

It’s probably just weathered as Ive had our van since new and it only took 18 months to get really dull

 

[cornish boy]

Something doesnt look right, it might be the photo, but I can see some faint lines on the right hand side which sugests that the Gelcoat is really thin. Be careful trying to polish it if you are not sure that there is enought Gelcoat coverage and depth or you run the risk of exposing the end of the fibres and moisture will start wicking through the layup.

Take a look at the Detailing section, GRP polishing and waxing/protecting has been spoken about there at length.

I see you are in Bath, my advice would be to take a look online and find a marine GRP specialist in Bristol, I am sure there will be one or two around due to the marinas, and arrange to pop the van over to them them to take a look and advise you what needs doing. Might cost you a pint of beer, but cheaper than having to rectify and re-gel if you break through the gel.

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[Podney]

Take a look at the Starbrite range of grp renovating products.

Ive used them with good results,they are not cheap,but worth the dosh in my opinion.

 

[Lenny HB]

Very difficult to bring it back by hand you really need to use a good quality mop but you need to be very careful, the Gelcoat is nowhere as thick as that on boats.
The 3M restorer is very good but it's not imported any more, you can buy it from the States about 50 quid a small bottle but shelf life is not very good.
The restorer that jezport sells is better than the Starbright.

 

[martin2603]

Farclea G3 with a soft foam polishing head on a slow machine polisher. little pressure is required.

 

[cornish boy]

Take a look at the Starbrite range of grp renovating products.

Ive used them with good results,they are not cheap,but worth the dosh in my opinion.

To be honest, having worked across manufacturing and maintaining GRP in both the marine and leisure industry, I wouldn't use starbrite products on either my own boat or motorhome. Understand people using it for a quick buff out of some fender damage on a hull, but not to carry out fine polishing on thin machine laid, GRP panels.

Very difficult to bring it back by hand you really need to use a good quality mop but you need to be very careful, the Gelcoat is nowhere as thick as that on boats.
The 3M restorer is very good but it's not imported any more, you can buy it from the States about 50 quid a small bottle but shelf life is not very good.
The restorer that jezport sells is better than the Starbright.

My preference would to always try with a glaze (3M Marine Finesse-It II Glaze or Farecla Profile Finish Liquid compound), very light cut but both leave an amazing finish and it is the mirror finish that is the best protection for the GRP from UV damage. The application of a high quality UV wax protection is the second line of defence.
Modern boat manufacturering processes with spray gel and infusion techniques now use a lot thiner gelcoats than previous, gone are the days that thin gelcoat would pickle when the mat was laid down. However, you are correct that the machine laid sandwich panels on a motorohome have little forgiveness when polishing. That is why when I saw the photo, I thought it looked like someone has already given it large with a polisher. Photos are not the best way to diagnose issues, and nothing beats seeing it in the flesh, hence suggesting to the OP that they look for a GRP specialist in the Bristol area.

Farclea G3 with a soft foam polishing head on a slow machine polisher. little pressure is required.

To the best of my knowledge, G3 is sold as Farecla's automotive product line with various grades of abrasiveness within the G3 product family.
From my last dealings with them, Farecla were recommending Profile Premium Liquid compound as a cut, and Profile Finish Liquid compound as a finisher for GRP.

 

[cornish boy]

Went to search for some bits I posted a few years ago.

I spoke a bit about why we would want to polish GRP as best as we can in post number 15 on this thread HERE
post number 16 & 17 add some real life examples.

Once polished, it is important to keep a good layer of a high UV protection wax on it, to help keep it clean and provide a second line of defence to protect against UV damage and premature yellowing.
I personally use marine wax mainly because it is designed for a harder life with the salt water spray and UV reflection from the water. It doesnt shine and reflect as well as a car wax, but I can live with that...

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