Engine cover scratches removal

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

Does anyone know what the engine covers are made of and is it possible to polish out light scratches.

2

Are you referring to the standard (clear) cover? IIRC this is a polycarbonate laminate. I don’t know if scratches will polish out, however the first signs of delamination of the clear part can look like ‘swirl’ type scratches. If this is the case you will need a new one i’m afraid…

Maybe someone else will have a more positive view??

3

Can you buy a poly cover now???

4

Yup they are on the shelf between the hen’s teeth and the rocking-horse shit :smiley:

5

Yes it`s the clear one, they are just light scratches on the outside.

I did have a look on the De roure site to see if they gave any info on the material and there was a price given















£1300 :astonished:

6

Sure there is a product on the market that you just put on like polish to bring the polycarb back up.

Ive seen it used on the rear engine cover of a F40.

7

Yes I have the same recollection Gav, it came out better than new.

8

That has me thinking now…

By chance were we on a trackday at brands hatch or donny with a guy who was there in a F40 and we stood talikng to him about it?

9

I did it on a detail

http://public.fotki.com/Omen666/valeting_and_detailing/ferrarif40/

Used Swissvax Vinyl Clear on sponge applicator by hand and rub off by hand using microfibre cloth

See it here

10

Ferrari quoted the owner £14k for a replacement.

11

This stuff is pretty good…

12

It was the second link that Damon posted that I had remembered Gav.

13

Essentially they are very fine paint polishers badged as a vinyl restorer.

They are superfine. DO NOT use an abrasive paint polish.

14

Fantastic job Damon.

15

Looking at the swissvax site tonight I can’t find it. It was 7 years ago but IIRC Swissvax admitted it was just their cleaner fluid rebadged. But speak to them directly (although the UK distributor has changed since then)

16

Thanks. Like a previous life now that business

I would never do an F40 again. Get it wrong and the damage would be more than a years revenue for your average detailer, insurance needed.

Drop the rear clam and damage hinges and Ferrari would charge £50k for replacement.

17

I’ve restored a couple of aircraft transparencies in my time and found micro mesh to be a decent product. Be aware its a time consuming job and if you dwell in the same area for too long you can create a fish eye effect. It just depends how bad the scratches are. For lighter stuff, def go with one of the abrasive pastes.

18

Thanks for the replys folks I have a few options to try now.

The scratches are not to bad so I do not want to make them worse.
I have a bike screen that I will try first It will be cheaper if that goes wrong than the engine cover.

19

If the scratches are really fine you could always use a whitening toothpaste, although given the cost of a replacement you’re prolly best getting a specially made for the job product

20

If its part number A111B0864S listed at £1366.91 Then Lotus have 2 in stock!!!