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CLEANING THE CARAVAN BODY
It is wise to wash the caravan body regularly
in order to maintain its good looks. Do not
use aggressive cleaning materials as this will
damage the paintwork over time. ‘T Cut’ or
other similar cleaning compounds should
only be used occasionally for stubborn
marks. We suggest that a good quality car
wax, applied at least once a year, will
enhance the paintwork and ease the
cleaning operation.
Glassfibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP)
GRP components need to be washed, waxed
and taken care of like a car. Chemicals and
dirt can collect during storage, and the gel
coat can be stained or marked when
chemicals combine with rain or dew. Most
stains or marks can be removed with mild
dishwashing detergent, but more stubborn
marks may require a (fine grit) rubbing
compound such as T-cut.
To help keep your GRP components looking
almost like new, it is wise to wash the parts
monthly (or more frequently) using mild
dishwashing detergent, but avoid using
strong alkaline (e.g. tri-sodium phosphate) or
acidic cleaners or abrasives. Waxing the
components once or twice a year with a good
grade paste wax will help to maintain the
colour and finish.
A significant benefit of using GRP
components is the ability to repair most
scratches or damage that may be inflicted
upon the panel. GRP components are tough,
but like any other products they can be
damaged. Excessive pressure or impact to
the face or reverse of the component can
cause the gel coat to crack. This does not
mean the entire panel is damaged and the
standard industry method of dealing with
such a crack is to apply a minor repair.
Any scratches or nicks that occur in normal
use can usually be removed with rubbing
compound. If the scratch is too deep, then
(fine grade) wet sandpaper may be used
followed by rubbing compound and finally
wax.
One of the characteristics of GRP is the way
light may be transmitted through the
component. If the component is viewed from
the gel coat side it will appear opaque and of
a solid colour. However, if viewed from the
reverse side with a strong light source behind
the laminate, some light will be transmitted.
This is normal for components of this
thickness.
BADGES
Resin coated badges are now being widely
used within the caravan industry. Their
upkeep is simple, use soap and water only to
clean them. Under no circumstances should
abrasive cleaners or solvent based solutions
be used on them.
GRP PANELS
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