Help required what would you do.

[Petemac]

Ok here's the story, I often use WD40 or similar to keep the suspension in good nick especially on the damping adjustment screws that sometimes become a little stiff, I will add that I have done this often in the past, however, yesterday I was cleaning the car when I noticed what I first thought was water droplet marks on the body, just behind the front suspension, I tried to wipe them away but no joy, thinking it may have been the WD40 I got some grease removing solution and tried that, still no joy, then out with the buffer and Farecla to see if that would remove them! no joy, so whatever it is that has caused this has made a right mess and appears to be "in the GRP" as if it has somehow penetrated it. I am convinced it's been done by a spray of some sort because of the pattern, I may have used something else accidently, my dilemma now is how best to hide them. I am sorry I cannot provide picture at the moment. The body colour is deep blue so it does show up very badly in the light, and luckily it's only on one side not both.

 

How would you suggest I cover them up? I'm convinced this is something I cannot buff out.

as I mentioned they cover the area just behind front suspension, the front wheel does hide it a little but not all, so from the front going to the back they cover an area of 18 inches square.

 

As long as it looks cosmetically ok I will try whatever does the job, "my" first thought was Carbon Fibre in black.

 

So please what do you folks reckon?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Petemac

 

 

[Pistol Pete]

No idea what it is but as its self colour fibreglass you can just rub it back. I used wet and dry, followed by a cutting compound, then polish to remove deep scratches made by the spare wheel.

Have a search as i'm no expert but there'd plenty of posts about how to repair much worse than you have.

Good luck.

[Bigjas]

Sounds like you have Fibreglass Blisters, or Fibreglass osmosis.  I had this on a previous car.  It is something to do with moisture and the GRP, I am no expert on this so cannot give you any help other than try searching online for the remedy.

 

Jas

[Petemac]

Jas, not blisters had them once before many years ago but thank you anyway, Pete, how far into the Gel does the colour go? I thought that it was not that deep! but perhaps I'm wrong, I have spoken to a friend of mine who has suggested it may be something that was thrown up from the main road and not what I suspected ie (WD 40) I will have another look tonight to see if there are any tell tale signs under the wheel arch, could brake fluid cause this has anyone suffered anything remotely like this? it's very strange to think it's only one side when I know for a fact I used WD 40 on both sides.

Thanks for getting back to me though much appreciated guys.

 

Pete

[Petemac]

Just spoke to GRP expert who put my mind at rest and said wd40 is highly unlikely to be the culprit, but he said it would be wise to check my brake fluid! that could cause some damage " if it's that"  or it's something caused from off the main road. He also said I may be able to wet and dry it out if not too deep I will keep you posted over the next few days.

 

Thanks

Pete

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

I'd be 90% sure it wasn't WD40, unless it's some odd reaction with something else, but WD is pretty neutral in the scheme of things.

 

The gel coat should be coloured all the way through with whatever pigment was used for your car. So, depending on thickness should be sandable, at least lightly. You just have to be careful not to sand so aggressively you break through into the mat below.

 

Provided the area of Grp is nice and flat looking with even gel coat, I'd have a go with 1200 wet and dry to start with, possibly dropping to 800 if that doesn't work. With the very thickest gel coat, it's even possible, with a lot of care, to use 400 grit!

 

Be aware though that if the surface of the gel coat looks a bit patterned - a sort of random unevenness, almost like it's been poured over rice! Then you've got quite thin gel coat, and are seeing "print through" from the chopped strand mat below. DO NOT sand heavily any panel with this pattern visible, unless you're prepare to paint or cover the panel, as there's a much higher chance of breaking through and exposing mat.

[Petemac]

Thanks Dave, very helpful to me I will tread very carefully and let you know how things go.

 

Regards

Pete

[Pistol Pete]

I must admit despite reading up lots on here, I did start off with a very fine Wet & Dry on a small area, followed by cutting compound, then polish and wax to prove to myself I could get it back shiny before I attacked my nice shiny gelcoat properly   

 

I read and found that cross hatching works well when using the wet and dry.

 

Good luck.

[Petemac]

I think I'm about to go into the deep end and either sink or swim, cheers for the info Pete will keep you posted and hope it's good news at the end. I have taken the day off Wednesday and will start it then. Tonight I will get the garage ready and top up the fridge!! I think I'll need it.

 

Pete

[Petemac]

Well the good news is all the marks have gone having spent 3+ hours of sanding and buffing, it's now back the way it was so really pleased   thanks for all the tips and advice I received from:  Dave, Pete, and Mark from Westfields who I nipped in to see this morning to show him the damage, Mark was pretty convinced it was something thrown up from the road and not something I had used, anyway lot's of rubbing and buffing and all is well, happy days.

 

Petemac.