Been looking for a replacement Van for a few weeks now. Found the ideal layout in a van thats quite a bit over the planned budget, but hey ho thats how these things go I suppose.
It's an 03 Abbey Royale, all in very good condition apart from the side panels of the van which are completely matt.
I even went back yesterday with a small rag with some polish on it to try and see if it will shine back up.
A couple of vans over on the lot was an 06 Abbey, and its sides were going the same way.
Is this normal for these vans? The sides do look very different to normal vans, doesn't feel like alluminium.
Big Q is of course...can it be polished back to a shine, or will we just have to accept it?
Think I've found the answer. Having spoken to my Dad, he reckons Abbey are the only caravan that uses Fibreglass side panels. Hence they go dull like front and rear panels can do on other makes.
Aparently the reason for it is they don't dent like alloy sides do.
So I guess its a case of finding the best and easiest way to shine fibreglass back up.
Quote: Originally posted by bmwdumptruck on 16/10/2012Think I've found the answer. Having spoken to my Dad, he reckons Abbey are the only caravan that uses Fibreglass side panels. Hence they go dull like front and rear panels can do on other makes.
Aparently the reason for it is they don't dent like alloy sides do.
So I guess its a case of finding the best and easiest way to shine fibreglass back up.
And the answer to that question is also to contact paul at tourershine. My 10 year old van that had gone dull and which I had found impossible to restore with polish is now gleaming.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Looking at Tourshines prices it may have to wait. A full reshine and polish will cost quite a bit. having just paid for the van and about to have our first week away in it. this will have to wait.
I have found some specialist marine polish's that are recommended for gel coat, so may try them myself whilst away.
Thanks for the input though.