Generator Slide-Out Face Is GLUED On!!!!!

[Just For Fun]

Exiting my last campground, I incorrectly estimated the height of a tree stump. As I backed up, it bight the very bottom edge of the generator slide-out at the front of my coach.

I guess - in a way - it's good that Monaco glued these onto the supports rather then bolted or screwed them in. Fortunately, the four very top connections held but all of the side and bottom ones gave out!!!

Has anyone encountered this? Any idea what type of glue/adhesive Monaco used and where I can get the same? Not sure if it a "Crazy" or "Gorilla" glue type product.

Thanks.

[Roy-c]

Looks like it was moulded into the fiberglass panel when the panel was laid up. West system epoxy with the adhesive thickener will do the job. Available at most marine stores and directions for how are on the West Marine or Jamestown Distributors sites. Other brands of marine epoxy will work also.

[arcaguy]

First off the worst thing you can do is use the two types of glue you mentioned above, they will contaminate the joint and make a proper repair next to impossible. I would then call the manufacturer and see what they recommend. There are generally two types of resin (adhesive) used in laying up fiberglass, epoxy and polyester (fiberglass) resin. Neither one is difficult to work with, they're just a little messy, so this is something you can do yourself. Once you determine what the manufacturer uses on that joint get some of the suggested adhesive, clean the joint with acetone, apply the adhesive and clamp the joint overnight. Probably the most difficult part will be figuring out a way to clamp the joint. Good luck.

[CountryB]

The G-Flex epoxy adhesive will work well for this. I use this epoxy a lot and its very easy to mix and apply. It has the consistency of toothpaste. Just sand off any loose material and wipe clean with acetone. Then apply the epoxy and clamp in place till dry.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct-detail/8695

This marine epoxy is nice because it is somewhat flexible (hence the name). If you had a cured bead of this, you could bend it some (where regular epoxy would snap in half). Flexibility is good in applications that are subject to vibrations (like road and wind buffeting).

[Xmcdog]

When sanding this material, please use a mask. The dust can cause lung damage.

[windsorbill]

I agree with CountryB on using the 2 part epoxy. Prep is very important.

You can take the front hood off completely if you want and lay it face down on the ground using a soft blanket to protect the paint finish. Then use weights to hold the bracket in place while the epoxy cures.

Before you disassemble anything, be sure to mark the connections so you can re-assemble it back the same way.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by windsorbill

I agree with CountryB on using the 2 part epoxy. Prep is very important.

You can take the front hood off completely if you want and lay it face down on the ground using a soft blanket to protect the paint finish. Then use weights to hold the bracket in place while the epoxy cures.

Before you disassemble anything, be sure to mark the connections so you can re-assemble it back the same way.

I agree with this, take the front off and lay it down. Even if you add a thickener/binder to the epoxy it will want to flow and if you try to this while the cap is vertical it will run.

I've used West epoxy, you can get a faster hardener if you want. If you are concerned about appearance you can even get black pigment to help it blend into the original.

On the main contact points, after reattaching it to the cap, you could also lay fiberglass cloth across and epoxy it also.


Also, from your picture, it almost looks like there is wood embedded into the fiberglass. Mine has this and there are screws that are used to attach the frame to cap. I worked a insulated truck manufacturing company that did this, we placed them in key positions depending on where the piece went. Same thing in boat manufacturing. You might check to make sure you don't have the ability to use lag type screws to help attach the cap to the frame.