Fibreglass clams in gel coat...

[Sway]

Hey chaps,

Pick up my new car next weekend!



It's to be a daily driver, and I want as always to keep it looking as fresh as possible...

I'm not new to decent cleaning/protection approaches (au fait with 2bw/clay/polish/wax), but this one throws up some new challenges, plus some new opportunities.

Missus is giving me some cash for car bits, and seeing as it's a gelcoat finish to the panels, and has a large polycarbonate rear window (that I want to keep as clean as possible as it'll catch spray from the rear wheels whilst I'm trying to see out of it).

So, how does my approach differ from normal?

Current kit includes a fair amount of Autoglym bits and pieces, including SRP and HD wax - are these still decent for this material?

How about the rear window - anything I can do there to minimise reduced visibility (hydrophobic coatings?).

The engine is exposed - how best to clean?

Lastly (and sorry for the list!) - keen to prevent misting of the glass as it's a small cockpit - any suggestions for both interior and exterior products as I've no window polish left.

As said, have some budget for new stuff - can get a snow lance or DA polisher if they'd offer much in the way of benefit...

Cheers!

[ch427]

Ive used srp on mine for years and its hard to beat, tend to use it on the metalwork too. Cant comment on the anti fogging stuff as ive never used it.
Good thing about gel coat is its easily repaired if you scratch or chip it.

[Sway]

Ordered lots:

Product: CarPro Iron X - Snow Soap
Options: Size - 500ml Bottle

Product: Snow Foam Lance - Various fittings

Product: Dodo Juice - Sponge Clay Pad (Medium)

Product: Sonus Glyde Detailing Clay Lubricant

Product: Chemical Guys - Diablo Wheel Cleaner

Product: Valet Pro - Inch Round Wheel Brush

Product: Chemical Guys Wheel Guard

Product: Gtechniq P1 - Nano Composite polish
Options: Size - 100ml Bottle

Product: Handi-grip applicator
Quantity: 2

Product: Foam Finger - Wax Applicators Pkg/2

Product: SONAX - Microfibre Ultra Fine pkg/3

Product: Gtechniq - Glass Sealant Kit

Product: Gtechniq C2 - Liquid Crystal v3
Options: Size - 100ml

Product: SONAX - Microfiber Cloths Pkg/2

Plus a German polisher pad. Read up on DW and it seemed that the Gtechnik P1 was the daddy for hand polishing, which will be my first port of call. Have shampoo/mitt/drying towel. Need to pick up anti fog from Halfords...

Will update once we have a clear-ish weekend...

[roadman]

Sat at work reading the description of your car as my firewall kills all the photos.

Out of interest what is your new car?

[Sway]

GTM Libra. Essentially a completely Fibreglass Elise, built from a kit.

Mine has the 1.8vvc K series lump in it, and I bloody love it!

Haven't been able to clean it let alone polish/detail it yet - it's feeling like I live under the Sea at the moment, not just next to it!