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MuonWho · 05-19-2021, 03:17 PM

Hello All
I drove the right passenger side of my 2008 Tiffin over a rock. Body shop estimate is $10,000 and four weeks. We full time and move again Friday 5/19 AM. Any thoughts on a quick patch so that the wind, while driving, doesn't make things worse? I'll work on uploading a picture.
Thanks,
Tom

amosnandy · 05-19-2021, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuonWho

Hello All
I drove the right passenger side of my 2008 Tiffin over a rock. Body shop estimate is $10,000 and four weeks. We full time and move again Friday 5/19 AM. Any thoughts on a quick patch so that the wind, while driving, doesn't make things worse? I'll work on uploading a picture.
Thanks,
Tom

Don't know how big the hole is, or if it is just cracked and shattered. Thick plastic sheeting, or if large whole plexiglass silicone in place with large quantities of gorilla tape.

153stars · 05-19-2021, 04:04 PM

If not huge area Flexsteel tape or eternal bond type you may be able to get foil type at big box store. I wouldn't want to remove a huge piece of it like 3ft switch.

arcaguy · 05-19-2021, 04:04 PM

Most big box home improvement stores and hardware stores sell fiberglass repair kits. It's really easy to repair fiberglass. Get some bristled cheap paint brushes, the kind with blond bristles and unpainted wooden handles about 2.5 or 3 inches wide and a few mixing cups. Cut a piece of fiberglass cloth about 2-3 inches bigger than the hole and paint the resin after you mix it about 2-3 inches larger than the hole an apply the cloth. It take about an hour or maybe less for the fiberglass to set up, and then you can coat it again. It won't be pretty but it should work. I'm sure there are youtube videos on this subject. If you don't want to do that get some gaffers tape or if you must some duct tape. Gaffers tape is cloth and tougher. If you have to you can make a mold out of cardboard or thin plywood and coat it with parafin wax so the fiberglass won't stick to it, candle wax will work. Good luck.

MuonWho · 05-19-2021, 04:05 PM

Here's what it looks like. I hope.

Dval · 05-19-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuonWho

Here's what it looks like. I hope.

If you're willing to drill some small holes electrical ties would work. It would look like stitches?

YC1 · 05-19-2021, 04:23 PM

Grab a kit from a parts store and slap some glass on the inside after cleaning it with some alcohol or lacquer thinner. Wire brush the area. You don't need to be pretty. Lay a piece of plastic down and lay the glass fiber on it. Mix up some liquid and pour onto the glass. Lay another layer of plastic on top and just work it like a rolling pin with whatever you have. The side of a round can is fine. The goal is to wet the glass but not soak it. You really don't want it dripping.

Pull the top layer of plastic off. Lay the glass in place and press to make it hold.

If you followed the directions it should set shortly. If it has the drops you can make it cure very fast.

It will be strong as fiberglass of course when cured. Anyone needing to do the final repair can grind it off easily.

Spk64 · 05-19-2021, 04:24 PM

Gorilla duct tape would be a good temporary solution. A big box store should have some.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Weath.../dp/B07GRJ8L55

Outbound · 05-19-2021, 04:28 PM

I agree with Gorilla duct tape or screw a patch panel on the outside, paint it black until you have time to repair. Won't look pretty but should do the job.

kenandterry · 05-19-2021, 04:37 PM

NASCAR fixes bigger damage than that with really good tape.
My vote is for Gorilla brand tape too.
You just need to make it relatively aerodynamic to stop any further damage.

Fast E · 05-19-2021, 04:57 PM

gorilla tape, tie ties, anything that will keep the wind from tearing off the whole right side. bungie cords, nylon straps, self drilling screws and some narrow aluminum strips to make it hold. Trust me, I know and have dealt with this.

Alpine36 · 05-19-2021, 05:06 PM

Black Gorilla tape and you'll be fine.
NASCAR approved to 200mph.

Rumline · 05-19-2021, 05:13 PM

Yeah, gorilla tape it for sure.

$10,000 to fix that one crack? That seems...obscene. My dad backed into a light pole in a parking lot and his whole rear cap had to be replaced, repainted, etc and that was only $7k. Was 2 years ago but still.

alank · 05-19-2021, 05:17 PM

That looks like a duct tape fix to me if you need to be on the road in a day or two. Looks like all the fiberglass is there, just broken. If that's the case, that will be an easy fix unless there's more damage than I can see in the pic. I would question the $10,000.
Those kinds of fixes always reminds me of pictures of a cloth covered airplane flown into the bush country in Alaska. The guys left fish bait in the plane and while away, a bear came along and attempted to get the bait. The bear shreded the cloth covering and flattened both tires. He had duct tape an tires shipped in, covered the plane in duct tape and flew it out. The pictures of the duct covering looked pretty good.