Community Forums

bowhunter72 · 06-05-2018, 12:37 AM

These starting popping up over the last few months. Not sure what is causing them. I was told by Guaranty RV body shop in Coburg Oregon that i would have to replace the entire sheet. That will have to be a project for a later time, but for right now i needs to find a bandaid for it. I was thinking of just sanding the bubbles down to the aluminum then give those spots a little primer for now. Wondering is anyone has had to deal with this issue and what they did to stop it for now.

luvlabs · 06-05-2018, 07:33 AM

Make, model, and year of your motorhome would be helpful.

Why do you think your coach is built with aluminum sides? Most likely it is gel coat fiberglass over luan. There were problems with some of this material in the early 2000s and there is really nothing that can be done other than replacement. However, I don't know if that is what you are seeing.

charliez · 06-05-2018, 07:49 AM

That looks to me like it a paint problem.

Crasher · 06-05-2018, 08:04 AM

Did the 99 Safari have aluminum sides? Those bubbles sure look like oxidation of aluminum under the paint. A fiberglass side would delaminate and look wavy rather than bubbly.

Bob Hyatt · 06-05-2018, 08:49 AM

looks more like oxidation of steel (rust). First pic appears to have a brown material exposed, looking exactly like rust under paint.

bowhunter72 · 06-05-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Did the 99 Safari have aluminum sides? Those bubbles sure look like oxidation of aluminum under the paint. A fiberglass side would delaminate and look wavy rather than bubbly.

The Safari had aluminum only on the slide out to reduce weight. I am just looking for a band aid for now until i have the time to replace the entire sheet.

Ljwt330 · 06-05-2018, 10:39 AM

Agree that is oxidation of aluminum beneath the paint. For a temp solution, you can sand away the paint down to the aluminum skin to expose the oxidation. Sand that area smooth and use a 2-part epoxy primer to cover the area, and try to spot match/blend the top color. Given the size of the problem area, you might use a cheap air-brush for the application of the primer and top coat. Harbor Freight has them.

BOOZE TRAVEL · 06-05-2018, 10:59 AM

Check your electrical grounds and also make sure you don't have something electrical with the polarity reversed. That will cause exactly what you have going on there, and in other aluminum parts that you can't see.

ThePowells · 06-05-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hyatt

looks more like oxidation of steel (rust). First pic appears to have a brown material exposed, looking exactly like rust under paint.

I agree with Bob. I think you need to debris the spot and see exactly what your base material is, be it steel or aluminum. If nothing else, rub a magnet over the spot and see what sticks or falls off.

twojayhawks · 06-06-2018, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowhunter72

The Safari had aluminum only on the slide out to reduce weight. I am just looking for a band aid for now until i have the time to replace the entire sheet.

I had it on my 2002 Safari. It didn't show up until the coach was maybe 8 years old and I don't believe I had quite as much as you have. I researched at the time and decided the remedy was cost prohibitive. I sold the coach at 13 years & told the new buyer everything I knew about the issue & it didn't bother him enough to not purchase the coach. If I remember correct the explanation I received from Monaco was they were well aware. It was definitely an issue with aluminum skin coaches & there was no easy fix.

bowhunter72 · 06-06-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twojayhawks

I had it on my 2002 Safari. It didn't show up until the coach was maybe 8 years old and I don't believe I had quite as much as you have. I researched at the time and decided the remedy was cost prohibitive. I sold the coach at 13 years & told the new buyer everything I knew about the issue & it didn't bother him enough to not purchase the coach. If I remember correct the explanation I received from Monaco was they were well aware. It was definitely an issue with aluminum skin coaches & there was no easy fix.

I am not looking at replacing the side, eventually, won't be to bad for me to do it. I am not in a position to sell this thing. Right now i just wanna patch it up.

Mike and Cha · 06-06-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

Agree that is oxidation of aluminum beneath the paint. For a temp solution, you can sand away the paint down to the aluminum skin to expose the oxidation. Sand that area smooth and use a 2-part epoxy primer to cover the area, and try to spot match/blend the top color. Given the size of the problem area, you might use a cheap air-brush for the application of the primer and top coat. Harbor Freight has them.

I would do this for a temporary fix. It may stop it from spreading, and if so you may just want to leave it as is if the color matches ok.

astrnmrtom · 06-06-2018, 08:15 PM

There's a good chance you have moisture behind the aluminum skin so it's "rusting" under the paint. Doesn't take much of a leak. If you were to sand off these bubbles you end up with holes in the skin which is why the service center says the skin needs to be replaced.