Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

My name's Matt and this is my first time on this part of the forum, but have a new van and it has some fibreglass panels over the original body which need cleaning up and repairing in some places. I hope that someone can help me get it back to looking how is was as I kind of like it! I have looked in the wiki and searched other posts but nothing came up covering plastic that wasn't a high top. I will get an introductory post up with some pics, but I wanted her looking her best first!

Is the general consensus that this kind of kit will trap water and dirt and not do the body work underneath any favours and should be removed? Or does it protect the body work underneath?

How is the fibreglass (which is what I am assuming it is) connected to the metal panels underneath? It is difficult to tell from looking at it.

As you can hopefully see from the pics (first time using photobucket, and it was getting dark) although it doesn't look too bad from far, and I hope it's just cosmetic, it does need sorting so can this type of part be repaired and if so how would I go about repairing the front spoiler and the area over the rear arch where it is scratched and cracked? I assume that it doesn't need to be as thorough a repair as any damage to the high top would need.









And what type of cleaning agent should I use to avoid damaging the fibreglass, or can the same kind of shampoos and polishes be used on these panels as on the metal panels?

Thanks for taking the time to read. Never had a van with a plastic body or roof before!

Matt

Hi Matt, mI wouldnt be overly concerened by shampoos and the like as they will have little impact on the body parts your speaking off, has the van got an mot, is this a long one or near to running out, seems a daft question but bear with us
mm

Thanks MM, looking forward to giving her a good clean today, great now the clocks have gone forward I can actually do this after work!

Just been MOT'd so valid until March 2013, I know they only check structural really which is why I hope the body work is cosmetic only.

Looking at your seams and from my own experience of a bodykit i woukd remove it ASAP and treat whatever is causing that seam rash.

Mine was stikaflexed on with a few screws but you might be more lucky. You cound do a proper job repairing the kit on a bench then and more importantly treat the van then replace if you do so wish.

Cheers bmouthboyo,

Agree with you, removal is the way forward here. Have had a look at your experiences - good job we have a long weekend coming up is all I can say