Community Forums

Bludacious · 07-24-2018, 10:20 AM

Since I bought my rig in April I have been working on repairing the massive amount of water damage it gained from sitting in the Vermont winters uncovered year round. So far I've completely ripped apart the entire lower portion of the driver's side wall and cut out a new exterior skin from 5.5mil plywood underlayment. Since the skin is seamed at the middle and all the water damage on that wall came from windows and ports that ended below the seam, I only removed the bottom half. I am wondering what the best adhesive is that I could use to glue the skin back onto the plywood, which is already mounted into place on the side of the RV. I tried using Loc-Tite to bond the wood and skin together while they were laying flat on the ground and not a single bead of it bonded good enough to keep me from just peeling the wood off the skin once it had dried for about a week. I've heard Gorilla Glue (urethane glue), epoxy resin, or polyester resin seem to be the best options. The rv is a 1988 and has the old-style corrugated sides, so they aren't as easy to manipulate to ensure a good bond. My plan is to re-hang the side using some kind of fasteners underneath where it laps the top skin, and to peel it up from the bottom and spray/brush adhesive on from underneath and then let it flatten back down.

mhshaffer · 07-24-2018, 10:37 AM

Contact Camping World. Maybe they have a solution. Good luck.....

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Chargerman · 07-24-2018, 10:50 AM

Search on-line. There is a company that sells a kit specifically for this. Pu in “RV
Delamination repair” and it will come up.

MSHappyCampers · 07-24-2018, 10:53 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Sorry I can't help with that one.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

CountryB · 07-24-2018, 10:56 AM

I have use the Lord Fusor products several times and they are outstanding. I used the panel bonding adhesive (metal to metal) on several projects. You can search though their product catalog and see if they have something specific for your needs.

What material is the skin made of? (see the "substrate" list)

https://www.lord.com/products-and-so...nding-products

https://www.lord.com/products-and-solutions/adhesives

Bludacious · 07-24-2018, 12:07 PM

Guess I forgot to mention that it's just plain old fiberglass. I think metal-on-wood adhesive would have been much easier to find, but I do like having a shell that won't oxidize in this harsh climate. Just to clarify, I'm looking for more of an off-the-shelf adhesive that is readily available at Lowe's or HD and won't break the bank. I know there are specialty glues out there for this sort of work but I don't want to have to wait for shipping (building / heavy outdoor work season is fairly short up here) and they tend to be more expensive.

gruelens · 07-24-2018, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bludacious

Guess I forgot to mention that it's just plain old fiberglass. I think metal-on-wood adhesive would have been much easier to find, but I do like having a shell that won't oxidize in this harsh climate. Just to clarify, I'm looking for more of an off-the-shelf adhesive that is readily available at Lowe's or HD and won't break the bank. I know there are specialty glues out there for this sort of work but I don't want to have to wait for shipping (building / heavy outdoor work season is fairly short up here) and they tend to be more expensive.

I would use 3M 5200 Adhesive. It comes in a caulking tube. It takes 7 days to cure under ideal conditions (can take longer). The fiberglass and wood will never come apart once the 3M 5200 is cured. All the best.

Roadfrog · 07-24-2018, 11:28 PM

Agree on the 5200. used it a lot on boats I've worked on. Great stuff and is even used below water lines on boats.

leadman · 07-30-2018, 09:11 AM

They used to use fiberglass over wood on the older boats, don't see why it won't work for you. It can be applied with a brush or roller but will have to be held against the side of the motorhome until it cures. The process for you would be similar to what is done to repair delam in small areas.

RV Parts Nation sells an adhesive to go along with the filon installation. Haven't used it, yet. I plan to do some large scale wall repairs in the future also.

Good Luck.

Mr_D · 07-30-2018, 09:19 AM

I keep seeing 5200 recommended. So far I haven't used it for anything but I guess I'll have to give it a try.

capnqball · 07-30-2018, 11:38 PM

Having had boats for 35 years, I have used 5200 numerous times and it will not come apart if you follow directions, which aren't very complicated. If you use it to bond two things together, just be sure you'll never want to remove it.......cuz you won't without significant damage to both surfaces.

dmtudder · 05-21-2019, 01:29 PM

Since this doesn't have a catalyst, The 3m 5200 cures by exposure to the air. When repairing skin where the delam has occurred, I will need to make a hole to introduce the 5200 adhesive. I don't think after this process there is much air available to the glue to cure.

Is this not the type of repair you guys are referring to?

I was searching for a two part epoxy for this reason, but the results you guys are describing is what I want.

I have a 88 superchief with delamination under the windows bc the previous owner didn't maintain it correctly. It has wood that is compromised and that's where the adhesive holding the skin has got wet and become loose. I'm not sure if it's two part skin like the modern RV. It feels solid under the "bubble" and that's why I'd like to try to repair...

Flanz · 05-21-2019, 02:53 PM

You might want to look at this adhesive

https://retail.usa.sika.com/en/products/sealants

From what I understand some manufacturers use this for side walls.

Teamfoxy · 05-21-2019, 03:12 PM

I was a boat builder for 40+ years and have done delamination repairs to previous RVs. 5200 is an adhesive bedding compound used under things that are bolted to a boat like deck hardware, keels etc. I would not use it to attach a fiberglass sheet to wood. It would take too long to cure and you would need a lot of expensive tubes of it.

I would use WEST 105 Epoxy with slow (tropical) hardener thickened with cabosil and/or Q-cells (microballons) to a maynaise consitency. I would apply that with a 1/6" notched trowel to both surfaces. You need to apply to both, one side only will not work. You will then need some way to hold the outer sheet to the substrate. Vacuum baging would be best, but you probably cannot do that. I was able to use a sheet of plywood held in place with multiple sticks proped against a wall as a clamp. Use wax paper or plastic sheet to keep the clamoing wood from getting stuck.
Good Luck!