To Glue or not to Glue?

[Roy S]

I'm in the process of resealing and replacing the wood in my recently purchased 75 1300 front window, I was lucky in a way I guess, that the plywood was soaking wet and the ensolite separated with ease. It seems that there was no adhesive holding the wood to the fiberglass, should I reinstall the new wood without adhesive? I've watched a couple videos of guys using PL and Gorilla glue to glue the wood to the fiberglass, does anyone have any suggestions as to what the proper way to do it is?

[Roy S]

No suggestions so I decided to glue the boards to the fiberglass.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Roy S

No suggestions so I decided to glue the boards to the fiberglass.

Well pictures would have helped understand the situation

[owenmaura]

Newsletter #730 got to me today [the 4th.] so my better-late-than-never (?) "suggestion" is to go ahead and glue it.

I just recently replaced [upgraded??] the front window on our SurfSide... there was no evidence of leakage. The awning looks like it should shed water very well ... I'm wondering how the water got in yours.

[thrifty bill]

It’s very unusual for that wood to not be rotten. First, it’s 50 years old, that’s a long time for a leak to develop. On mine, the screws were rotten. And the front awning had no signs of any butyl tape underneath the framing (build mistake)). While some of the wood framing was ok, on mine all of the lower framing was rotten.

[Patricia Baxter]

My husband just finished replacing the rotted wood on our 1300, using PVC lumber- glued to the fiberglass. Took a while , but it got er done! Rebuilt the stone shield/ cover too.
Good to know we're not the only ones who had rotted wood.

[Roy S]

Originally Posted by computerspook

Well pictures would have helped understand the situation

It's one of the most common problems with fiberglass trailers, so I didn't think pictures were necessary.

[Roy S]

Originally Posted by owenmaura

Newsletter #730 got to me today [the 4th.] so my better-late-than-never (?) "suggestion" is to go ahead and glue it.

I just recently replaced [upgraded??] the front window on our SurfSide... there was no evidence of leakage. The awning looks like it should shed water very well ... I'm wondering how the water got in yours.

Wow! I've never heard of any that didn't leak. The butyl sealer dries up over time and allows water in around the screws that hold the window in and that's how it begins. Mine has been leaking for years I'd say.

[Roy S]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

It’s very unusual for that wood to not be rotten. First, it’s 50 years old, that’s a long time for a leak to develop. On mine, the screws were rotten. And the front awning had no signs of any butyl tape underneath the framing (build mistake)). While some of the wood framing was ok, on mine all of the lower framing was rotten.

Yes, I know it would be unusual for it not to be rotten, there was silicone under the front window frame so it was improperly repaired at some point. My screws were mostly rotten as well. It seemed like there wasn't any glue holding the wood to the fiberglass though, so I wasn't sure if it was proper to glue it or not. I guess I won't live long enough to have to deal with it again.. so I used PL premium. There was no evidence of any butyl under my front awning either. All the wood around my front window was soaking wet, I started the back window yesterday and it was the same except for one side piece that wasn't too bad, I'm replacing it anyway.

[Roy S]

Originally Posted by Patricia Baxter

My husband just finished replacing the rotted wood on our 1300, using PVC lumber- glued to the fiberglass. Took a while , but it got er done! Rebuilt the stone shield/ cover too.
Good to know we're not the only ones who had rotted wood.

Hi Patricia, yes it's a common problem, I used standard plywood, it was free.. I'd say it took me around 3 hours in total, not including waiting for the glue to set. I have to rebuild my rock guard cover as well.

[Carl V]

I know my answer is late, but no, I wouldn't glue the wood pieces nor is it necessary. The seal is between the fiberglass shell and the window frame. If this seal is good, the water will not reach the wood. The wood is held in place by the window screws and it's not going anywhere. So I don't see why it would need any glue, as it would not help in any way with the sealing or anything else, and good luck the next time the wood pieces have to be replaced if they are glued to the shell with construction adhesive. You may not be the one who will replace them but someone in the future probably will.

[Roy S]

Yeah Carl, it's too late, I'm a one man band, so I had no way of holding the wood in place and install the window. I know someone in a few decades will probably be cursing me.

[Carl V]

Ha! ha! Probably!