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Old 09-29-2014, 08:46 AM   #1
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Fiberglass repair

Hi, my used Oliver has two cracks on the bottom that are two-three inches long. Since it is living now in the great north, where rain and snow is a way of life, I am wondering how to patch them. Anyone have experience with this? I saw a bondo kit for fiberglass on Amazon. Might not be pretty but? I don't think either crack will be allowing water in but I am thinking cold and wet might make them worse. Ideas?


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Old 09-29-2014, 09:05 AM   #2
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Pictures would help. Are these cracks visible? If not your job is fairly easy.

Grind the sides of each crack to paper thin where the crack is to full thickness at 2" from the crack. Then saturate some fibreglass mat on a board that is covered with poly, (so it doesn't stick to the board) push it up against the crack. Wait for it to set, (about an hour) then pull the boar, and poly off. Repeat as necessary to get the proper thickness. Sand smooth, then paint.

This thread is very helpful:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ass-52498.html
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Old 09-29-2014, 10:34 AM   #3
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I wonder if this might be an application for that "Homemade Prepreg" that I mentioned in that thread?

"For repairs in recessed areas, tight corners, and/or overhead repairs, the section on Homemade PrePreg (in a plastic bag of all things ) might be of some interest?
http://bcove.me/s6bztad7 "

I think that using fiberglass mat inside the heavy duty freezer bag should work as well as a couple of layers of bi-directional (bid) fiberglass cloth (weave) and it could/should be a lot less messy to saturate your mat and apply the patch without getting the resin all over yourself? (I haven't actually worked with mat instead of bid cloth, so ... YMMV.
If you use this method with mat, maybe you could let me/us know how it works out?)

It's just a thought.

Good luck!

Ray
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Old 09-29-2014, 08:21 PM   #4
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Home-made pre-preg... Cool!


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Old 09-30-2014, 03:12 PM   #5
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David, I will try and get some pictures up soon.we are in the middle of moving, have to winterized for the first time as new owners real soon, and I am wondering if I can leave the cracks till next year or will winter do more damage? It will be left outside with a cover only....but shouldn't get wet ...ideas? As soon as we are at the house we are moving from, I'll get out there and take pictures. Thanks. Karen


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Old 09-30-2014, 04:46 PM   #6
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Cracks in fibreglass are typically not going to get worse due to cold. Fibreglass flexes.
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Old 10-01-2014, 04:51 PM   #7
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Karen,

Stick some duct tape over the cracks until spring. Where are the cracks? Are they near one another? Have you called Robert about them?
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Old 10-02-2014, 09:11 AM   #8
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Duct tape leaves a concrete like residue. Maybe use packing tape, or wide electrical tape.
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Old 10-02-2014, 10:15 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rdickens View Post
I wonder if this might be an application for that "Homemade Prepreg" that I mentioned in that thread?

"For repairs in recessed areas, tight corners, and/or overhead repairs, the section on Homemade PrePreg (in a plastic bag of all things ) might be of some interest?
http://bcove.me/s6bztad7 "

I think that using fiberglass mat inside the heavy duty freezer bag should work as well as a couple of layers of bi-directional (bid) fiberglass cloth (weave) and it could/should be a lot less messy to saturate your mat and apply the patch without getting the resin all over yourself? (I haven't actually worked with mat instead of bid cloth, so ... YMMV.
If you use this method with mat, maybe you could let me/us know how it works out?)


It's just a thought.

Good luck!

Ray
Ray,
Thanks for the link! It was very helpful! I never knew that doing fiberglass could be so easy! He sure makes it look easy.
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Old 10-02-2014, 10:49 AM   #10
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Talking

Steve, the cracks are in two different places. One is actually in the battery section along the back side wall. A couple inches long and the other one is in the front along the bottome edge between the door and the propane tanks. It is also 2 inches or so long. I think we will use the duck tape as when you repair it you have to sand it down anyways. Good idea. Today we are learning how to winterize since snow is forecasted tomorrow. Ha ha.
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Old 10-02-2014, 11:22 AM   #11
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Liquid electrical tape seals well and is easy to remove. Might be something to brush on before tape.
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Old 10-03-2014, 03:55 PM   #12
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Gelcoat or Fiberglass?

Can anyone tell me the difference between gel coat and Filon? We have a 2012 Spree with smooth sides. We managed to put a gouge in the front rounded cap and after reading this thread thought we might try to repair it ourselves. KZ industries is sending me the paint match but then I started reading about gel coat and got really confused. Do I do a fiberglass type repair and paint it or use a gel coat approach? Thanks for any feedback
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Old 10-06-2014, 08:18 AM   #13
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I have a question about painting a fiberglass camper with Rubberized Roofing coating? Has anyone ever painted a fiberglass camper with this product? How did it turn out? Does it last for a long time? Does anyone have any other suggestions for painting a fiberglass camper?
Thanks,
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Old 10-06-2014, 08:29 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy Sa View Post
Can anyone tell me the difference between gel coat and Filon? We have a 2012 Spree with smooth sides. We managed to put a gouge in the front rounded cap and after reading this thread thought we might try to repair it ourselves. KZ industries is sending me the paint match but then I started reading about gel coat and got really confused. Do I do a fiberglass type repair and paint it or use a gel coat approach? Thanks for any feedback
I believe that Filon, which is used on the front window rock guard on Trillium trailers, is fibreglass in a Nylon resin, as opposed to a polyester resin. I suspect that repairing Filon might best be done with epoxy.
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Old 10-06-2014, 08:30 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nut501 View Post
I have a question about painting a fiberglass camper with Rubberized Roofing coating? Has anyone ever painted a fiberglass camper with this product? How did it turn out? Does it last for a long time? Does anyone have any other suggestions for painting a fiberglass camper?
Thanks,
Why would a fibreglass camper have a rubberized roof coating? Pictures?
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Old 10-06-2014, 09:39 AM   #16
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Why would a fibreglass camper have a rubberized roof coating? Pictures?
David,
I was thinking that the rubberized coating would protect the fiberglass? Am, I wrong? Or do I just need to wash and wax the outside of the camper?
Thanks
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Old 10-06-2014, 10:24 AM   #17
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.... I started reading about gel coat and got really confused. Do I do a fiberglass type repair and paint it or use a gel coat approach? Thanks for any feedback
Gel Coat and paint do the same thing, provide color coat and protection from the elements. I think gel coat is more durable but there are some marine paints that are reported to be pretty tough and long lasting.

I think for patching a small area color matching with paint might be easier, but gel coat can be tinted. If the camper is white gel coat might be a better match, it is a pure white that is a little harder to find a match for in paint, at least that was my experience looking for something to touch up nicks and small chips in the existing gel coat.

Gel coat is a resin product that uses a catalyst, some epoxy paints also use a catalyst, the one most people are most familiar with might be the epoxy garage and basement floor paint kits.

For a small touch up repair I think either paint or gel coat is an option, somewhat depending on what skills you are working with (yours or friends) and how critical to appearance the repair is. If you are comfortable with painting skills or can afford to experiment with gel coat might be the determining factors.
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Old 10-06-2014, 10:26 AM   #18
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Filon appears to be made by Crane Composites who say: "Composed of thermoset polyester resin and chopped fiberglass strands, Crane Composites RV sidewall panels....", so standard fiberglass repair process.
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Old 10-07-2014, 09:00 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Nut501 View Post
David,
I was thinking that the rubberized coating would protect the fiberglass? Am, I wrong? Or do I just need to wash and wax the outside of the camper?
Thanks
I have a trailer that is over 40 years old. It has not been taken care of much. The roof is in fine condition. If I was looking to buy a fibreglass trailer, and it had a rubber coating, I would be suspicious of what they might be trying to hide.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...6-a-48760.html
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Old 10-10-2014, 07:58 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerDat View Post
Gel Coat and paint do the same thing, provide color coat and protection from the elements. I think gel coat is more durable but there are some marine paints that are reported to be pretty tough and long lasting.

I think for patching a small area color matching with paint might be easier, but gel coat can be tinted. If the camper is white gel coat might be a better match, it is a pure white that is a little harder to find a match for in paint, at least that was my experience looking for something to touch up nicks and small chips in the existing gel coat.

Gel coat is a resin product that uses a catalyst, some epoxy paints also use a catalyst, the one most people are most familiar with might be the epoxy garage and basement floor paint kits.

For a small touch up repair I think either paint or gel coat is an option, somewhat depending on what skills you are working with (yours or friends) and how critical to appearance the repair is. If you are comfortable with painting skills or can afford to experiment with gel coat might be the determining factors.
Rodger and Andrew, thanks for the reply. Spree and Crane have clammed up and referred me to a body shop but the point was I wanted to try this small repair myself. I found a helpful youtube that is similar to my problem and with the other suggestions from this site I think I have a plan.
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