Cleaning up fiberglass???

[vettemaniac]

What would you guys recommend for removing oxidation and adding protection for a fiberglass top.? We are going to do a job for customer who has a single-stage black Blazer that has basically a fiberglass campershell. It isn't really a campershell ( the style of the car makes it look like one) since it came from the factory like that, but it is fiberglass unlike the rest of the car. It is a 1987 Silverado Blazer if that helps. Hopefully this isn't too

I was thinking that maybe #50 would be good. We will be using the PC and have pads and all that good stuff. Any quick response would be appreciated.

Thank You, Kyle

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

As a classic Blazer owner...


1973 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2-Wheel Drive

• 350 engine bored .30 over and balanced
• Competition Cam - High Energy 268H
• Turbo 350 with a B&M Stage 2 Shift Kit
• Lowered

The made just little over 3000 2-wheel drive, Full convertible models in 1973, so it's fairly rare, (actually very rare)






Christmas 2 years ago in the SoCal High Desert...





If memory serves correctly, this will have pebbled texture to it? If so, using a strong cleaner/wax should work well but for removal you'll really want to get in there and put some passion behind your wipe off towels as you're going to have to push the fibers into the indent portions to remove all the wax.

Best method would be to clean by hand with a strong cleaner/wax like ColorX or you could use M50, they're both strong, if you use the M50 get the liquid, it's easier to push a liquid into small features and work it than a paste.

Next option would be to apply using a dual action polisher, same product choice, use with a W-8006 on the 5.0 setting.

[vettemaniac]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

It looks like your memory has served you correctly! I too remember it being a pebbled texture. We would be working with the G-100, and I think Color-X would be easiest for us to get. Will this combination with W-8006 be a good one? Do you prefer this or M-50? We have #66 also. Thanks for all your help Mike.

Am I also remembering correctly that I saw this Blazer or one similar to it in your dvd?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

Any of those three, remember to shake well, use an ample amount of product, that is don't underuse when going after oxidation as you like the liquid to penetreate to help loosen and remove the dead material.

Small section at a time, like one foot and up to 2 foot squared but no larger and be sure to overlap your section. While you're supposed to allow a wax to fully dry, you might test to see how well all of the wax is removing and if it's coming out of the pebble indents hard, then maybe wipe-off just a tad earlier and see if that makes it easier.

[vettemaniac]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

Thanks Mike for your excellent help and pictures of your sweet cars.

[gorin002]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

oooh nice nice
those where days where was like tank you drove nice nice

[vettemaniac]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

I thought I would post some half and half shots of the shell so you guys could see the difference. Sorry I don't have any full shots of the car though. Anyways, I put some #66 on a terry towel and worked it in real well on the shell. It was then removed with a microfiber I believe??? (did this about 2 months ago) I also tried applying it on a w-8006 pad on my PC, put found that it was actually easier and produced better results by hand. It was time consuming but worth it.

Left is done, right isn't.


Sorry that its blurry, but you can still see it.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

Anyways, I put some #66 on a terry towel and worked it in real well on the shell.

It was then removed with a microfiber I believe?

Yep...

Cleaning surfaces like this is really difficult because it's difficult to get into the deep sub-surface areas, thus something like a terry cloth towel by hand for applying and removing is about as good as you can get.

Thanks for taking the time to post a follow up.

[vettemaniac]

Re: Cleaning up fiberglass???

Yep...

Cleaning surfaces like this is really difficult because it's difficult to get into the deep sub-surface areas, thus something like a terry cloth towel by hand for applying and removing is about as good as you can get.

Thanks for taking the time to post a follow up.

Sure, I am glad too. Like you suggested in the earlier posts, I did remove it before it had completely dried and found that it came out easier.