Can I restore the shine to this?

[01GPGT]

Ok well last year my dad and I bought a VW street rod buggy. It is made of fiberglass but some of it has become ruff and discolored. I am not looking to make it perfect but just a little more attrative because at the time we do not have the money to get it repainted because it needs a new engine after my dad blowed a spark plug right out of the engine. I also needs new tires because the ones on it are from the 70's and out of round because of sitting.


So here's the pics can I do anything with it. The camera makes it look better then it really is.

Newest pic. As you can see a little the top of it is not shinny.


Over 1 year ago. Looked pretty good but the pics make it look better then it is.



First time the car moved in 3 years

This is how we found it. It had a cover over it.

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

Check this before/after out...I think you can make a good improvement

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34965

[01GPGT]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

But the problem I have is this is a gel coat kind of like an old boat. Some of it has gotten ruff and taking a clay bar to it is going to shed the bar I fear because of the ruffness.

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

Yes you can get it to shine but it will not hold the shine if it gets wet or if you wax or even some polish will chalk it back out again

[Murr1525]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

Can always be optimisitic and give it a try.

Would be working by hand?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

If you are sure it is Gel Coat the Marine Line has some great oxidation removing products that will make a vast improvement of the finish.

I would start with #49 Heavy Oxidation Remover, and follow that with #50 Cleaner Wax.

If it is normal paint, try some Ultimate Compound out.

[01GPGT]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

Its gel coat.

by hand.

[Murr1525]

Re: Can I restore the shine to this?

You may want to do a little browsing in the Marine Line of products, although you could try something like Ultimate Compound as well.

Though we might need one of the Mike's to tell what products in the Marine line would be possible by hand.

Another thing that has been mentioned however is to put a pure polish onto the surface first, and then use a cleaning product. That would be like the #45 polish in the Marine Line, or just the Deep Crystal Polish in the Consumer Line.