biggsy216 Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 ...on the outside of my motorhome. We have a 2008 Chausson Allegro 97, with, I assume, GRP bodywork. It’s definitely not metal. On some parts of the bodywork we can see that some kind of clear film has been, presumable, sprayed on the van at some stage. This is now peeling away and/or yellowing. Does anyone know: 1). What it is? 2). How can we remove it? Have tried T Cut, Autoglym Resin Polish, WD40, Silky (had some success with that, but not much) all by hand and using a polishing machine. Whilst some of it has come away, much remains resistant, giving us a rather patchy finish to the van. Are there any solvents that might remove this film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 It sounds like a ‘paint protection treatment’ may have been applied to your motorhome at some stage. https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-paint-protection-and-is-it-worth-it/n13846 If that’s the case, removal will depend on the particular treatment that has been used. https://tinyurl.com/y5otplqe (Suggest you talk to a vehicle bodywork repair specialist...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggsy216 Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 Thanks Mr Uzzell, useful information as always. Set me thinking. I am assuming that a GRP body is not painted, but is self coloured plastic? If so, the selling of a protective film may be a bit of a con, since it is intended to protect (relatively) soft paintwork, rather than (relatively) hard plastic. Any views? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Vehicle GRP bodywork may have a coloured gel-coat or be painted. As far as I’m aware, the gel coat of all the GRP-skinned flat body panelling that is commonly used in coachbuilt motorhome construction will be ’self-coloured’, but that may not apply to other GRP items (eg. a GRP moulded over-cab ‘pod’). My 2005 Hobby motorhome’s body panelling was aluminium skinned, but the over-cab pod was GRP and that was definitely painted. The Hobby’s rear bumper was also GRP and - I suspect - painted too. And, even when self-coloured GRP panelling has been used, that does make the gel coat invulnerable to damage from (say) bird droppings. I’m not in love with my motorhome (nor with motorcaravanning generally for that matter) so a paint protection treatment would have little attraction for me. I just clean and polish the vehicle’s exterior when the mood takes me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggsy216 Posted July 24, 2020 Author Share Posted July 24, 2020 Well you were right. It is a coating that can be removed by scraping. However, some of it is still very tightly bonded and scraping seems a bit risky. The links you posted suggest using a heat gun, so that will be the next step. Thanks for your help, and I promise not to sue you if I set fire to the van ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted July 25, 2020 Share Posted July 25, 2020 Have you tried using strong sticky tape pressed firmly onto the coating, and then peeling it off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggsy216 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 Thanks for the suggestion Bramble, but having tried duct tape on it, it made no impression. Heat didn’t work either, although there was a howling gale blowing when I was trying it. My very determined wife has had some success with elbow grease, but like is too short (no scrubber jokes allowed) Will just have to live with it, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 That is a real shame the tape did not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 How about a 'Toffee wheel' graphic eraser? Here is just an example... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glue-Stripe-Removal-Toffee-Caramel-Wheel-Toffee-Wheel-Glue-Removing-/351939514284 Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggsy216 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Share Posted August 2, 2020 Interesting idea, Keith, but the film is not sticky. It seems to be a species of clear paint, rather than a coating that is glued on. Thanks for the suggestion though. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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