MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
1
GENERAL
1.1
In order to keep your Auto-Sleeper in first class condition, periodic maintenance
will be required to both the bodywork, windows, upholstery and other parts of the
conversion. This maintenance should be carried out as detailed below.
1.2
Servicing
1.2.1 Servicing of the conversion is the responsibility is your local franchised Auto-
Sleeper dealer to whom all queries should be referred. Servicing of the base
vehicle should be carried out by your local base vehicle commercial dealer.
2
GLASSFIBRE BODYWORK AND ACRYLIC WINDOWS
2.1
General Cleaning
2.1.1 At regular intervals, you should wash the fibreglass bodywork with a recognised
cleaner for use on fibreglass gel coats. Should marks remain, use a cleaner with
chemical and abrasion agents formulated for use on gel coats such as Caravan
Pride Cleaner. This is designed for cleaning large areas of fibreglass in a fast and
economical way. It removes grime, oil stains, and old polish, restoring the surface
and colour to its original state.
2.2
Discolouration
2.2.1 Fading or discolouration of the gel coat is a natural ageing process caused by
ultraviolet light. To overcome this, use a mild abrasive which removes a thin layer
of the discoloured surface. This will restore the bodywork to its original colour and
surface lustre. Since discolouration develops gradually, it should not be
necessary to carry out this procedure more than every three years. Frequent use
of abrasive materials can reduce the thickness of the gel coat, to a potentially
harmful extent. Depending on the severity of the discolouration, use either
Caravan Pride Cleaner, or in extreme cases Caravan Pride Rubbing Compound.
2.3
Removing Scratches from Bodywork
2.3.1 Scratches can be removed from both gel coat and painted surfaces. The method
depends upon the depth of the scratch, as care has to be taken to avoid
penetrating the paint or gel coat. Very fine, hairline scratches can be removed by
rubbing across the line of the scratch with rubbing compound. Slightly deeper
scratches should be lightly wet sanded first using very fine (1200 grit or finer)
abrasive paper. Rubbing compound will then remove the flatting marks created
by the abrasive paper. For deep gouge type scratches, where the paint or gel
coat may have been penetrated, you should first seek the advice of your
supplying Auto-Sleeper dealer.
2.4
Removing Scratches from Acrylic Windows
2.4.1 All windows, except the chassis cab and luton, are manufactured in acrylic. Over
time these become scratched and their clarity impaired. Caravan Pride Acrylic
W indow Polish removes unwanted scratches and blemishes and leaving a clear,
haze free finish. Minor scratches can be polished out directly.
Some deeper scratches can be removed by wet sanding with a fine grade of
abrasive paper (1500 grit for example) first, and then polishing with Boat Pride
Acrylic W indow Polish. Some care should be exercised since it may not be
possible to remove severe damage without seriously weakening the acrylic.
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