2011 Journey 40U, cracking fiberglass in front cap clearance lights

[mjeffrey]

We have a '11 40U Journey and have discover cracking in the fiberglass in 4 of the 5 front cap clearance lights!

Any advice on how to stop the cracking and repair?

[Jupiter]

I've been watching your post to see if anyone would respond to your question. And more so, I'm curious if others have experienced a similar fracture issue at the clearance lights. Seem odd that it is happening at 4 out of 5 locations. I can't imagine (but would like to know) what the root cause is

Sorry for your problem and hope you get some input.

cheers,
Joopy

[mjeffrey]

I also emailed the photos to Winnebago and their response was ...

"These may just be cosmetic cracks in the gel coat. The recommended repair would be to grind them out, fill with putty and repaint the area."

I think they are little deeper than that, so we removed the back of the center over-head storage (cupboards) behind the cap and didn't see anything of concern. I think the fiberglass is thicker/deeper than the current cracks.

The recommended repair sounds like what you would expect for a fiberglass repair. Unfortunately we won't be in one place long enough to get that repair anytime soon. Finding a place we can live in the unit while it is being repaired might be an issue too. Always a fuller-timer problem.

So for now it is Gorilla Tape to the rescue.

Pics attached.

It may not be obvious since many of the cracks look the same, but these are pictures of different clearance lights. They just all cracked in the same relative spot and direction.

Just seems suspicious that they would all be cracking in the same way.

[Davdeb1]

I'd get some touch up paint and resin. Remove the lenses, clean up are with alcohol and vinegar. Put some resin in the cracks with a small artist brush and do the same with touch up paint. Why go to the expense of repair? In fact, I would remove the lights, and reinforce the whole thing with fiberglass strips and resin just inside the recess.