Has anyone cut and polished their fiberglass van ?

iana · Guru

Has anyone cut and polished their fiberglass van ?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

iana wrote:
Has anyone cut and polished their fiberglass van using an electric buff, what's involved, and what are the pit falls.

Once in 17 years.

Used a standard cutting compound and a lambswool pad. Gelcoat is pretty hard, so less risks than paint, but it takes time. Keep the water up and do a small area at a time.

It takes time so it will cost heaps to get a decent job commercially, but they will probably want to do it quickly, so you might not get the result you want.

Do 1sqM per day and spread the job out. This also lets you get some satisfaction seeing the improvement as you go.

When complete, apply a good quality wax.

Cheers,

Peter

iana · Guru

Thanks for that P & M

Whenarewethere · Guru

I have once polished a boat hull, with others to help. If you want to do it properly it takes time & effort. Hard work working overhead. It would be worthwhile doing weight lifting to build up arm muscles well before the actual job.

Hetho · Senior Member

I use SEPTONE, Marine, Extra Cut Fibreglass Polish (1.8ltr tub); a good quality Cheesecloth and lots of elbow grease. No swirl makes from a rotary buff.

I buy my cheesecloth in 5kg bundles, usually around $90.00 (Ebay or local paint supply store)

Like Peter, I do 1sq mtr at a time and stand back with a cold one at the end of the day and admire the shine.

Regards

Hetho.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes I use a marine compound with plenty of water . So it doesnt get too aggressive !

SoloMC · Senior Member

I had lots of tannin stains from gum trees dripping onto my van so I was forced to do it I bought a cheapie hand held polisher and special fibreglass polish. Obviously make sure its clean before starting. Once you cut thru the top coat youre buggered Id be wary of cutting and polishing so just use a specailsed fibreglass polish first to see if you get the result youre after. Dont be in a rush and do small sections at a time. It took 2 days

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I keep the Polish up to it now . So any stains etc dont penetrate gelcoat ! Roof and areas that cannot be seen ? I dont polish off . Just apply . Do the same to motorhome now . Rinse with kero in water on last rinse . Use push on micro cloth to apply polish and shamy water off . Use a clean towel
To remove polish . Mainly to prevent water marks . The water makes it easy to spread the polish ! Use very little !

iana · Guru

Sounds good will give it a try. Ian

Are We Lost · Guru

Aus-Kiwi, what is the purpose of the kero in the last rinse? I could see kero being used to help scrub off marks from sap ... but in the last rinse?

Also, you say water helps the polish spread. Do you mean with the water/kero rinse?

There are trees where my van is stored so I get plenty of sap and bird droppings.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I find it fushs out water or moisture in seams .I would use Straight kero on gum stains depending if its sap or tannin ! At present by the beach I wash all the time with kero to remove salt better from
Gutters etc where salt and water can accumulate ! Its an old navy thing they did !! I dont cheap out on polishes either !! Autogym
Etc .

shakey55 · Senior Member

Not tried it on a fibreglass van, but have on my boat and car.

Purchased a Ryobi orbital polisher that has varying speed control. Makes polishing and waxing a dream.

Highly recommended, and no need to take up weightlifting before using.

Good luck.

PS: I would use specific fibreglass polish, something like this www.meguiars.com.au/product/color-restorer/

swamp · Senior Member

hi
Fibreglass is way way harder vs soft automotive paint. U need a cutting compound for boats/ fibreglass and a rotary buff with a lambs wool pad .