Community Forums

MrMark52 · 10-21-2021, 02:21 AM

On our ‘02 Georgie Boy, the front and rear end caps are made from fiberglass. Where every they needed to mount anything, they embedded wood into the fiberglass as they built up the glass end caps.

Sadly, they didn’t use treated wood, nor did they do a good job of insuring that water wouldn’t get trapped inside of the cavities that the wood was contained - and if it did, that it could drain.

So on our coach, the anchor wood for the engine hood on one side has rotted completely and the hood hinge assembly is completely loose from the coach.

I’ve dug out the old rotted wood and I know I need to clean the cavity with glycol to kill any remaining “rot spores”, assuming I can cut and refill the cavities with wood. But I’m thinking since the cavities are vertical that maybe there is a 2-part filler that could be poured into the cavities and allowed to harden. Once hardened, screws could then again be used to anchor the hood hinge.

Anyone have any thoughts on what to use? The cavity is ~3/4” x 1-1/2” at the top and about 4” tall. Below that, it’s about 1” x 1” x 4” tall. The hood hinge screws into the upper area.

TIA!

Dav L · 10-21-2021, 05:44 AM

I would put tape / paper around the opening to catch overflow, cut some pressure treat a bit smaller, wrap it with wet glass and plunge it into the hole and fill remaining gaps with resin and let it dry.

jacwjames · 10-21-2021, 07:03 AM

I would cut a piece of treated lumber to the size that you can put in the void. Plug any bottom holes, could possibly use a can of low expansion foam, just make sure all holes are plugged. Get a kit of 2 part epoxy, I just bought https://www.amazon.com/System-105-B-.../dp/B07JKYCV8G
Mix the epoxy in small batches and fill the void. Then just let it harden overnight and your done.

bentjm · 10-21-2021, 08:20 AM

Epoxy has a typically won't stick to pressure treated wood. Probably won't matter in this case because the epoxy is just holding the wood in place.

Normal wood lasted 20 yrs the first time. I would not be concerned using it again.

MrMark52 · 10-21-2021, 08:42 AM

Thanks guy’s! Each of you have pretty much confirmed what I was thinking to do, I just needed reassurance I was headed down the right track.

Dutch Star Don · 10-21-2021, 01:58 PM

Same idea as the others, but I would first fill the void about half way with epoxy or fiberglass resin. Cut a piece of wood that will fit and then force the wood down into the half filled cavity. Once it dries, fill the remainder of the cavity.

If you use resin, first coat the wood, wrap it in fiberglass cloth and let it dry, making an encapsulated piece. Then shove it down in the pocket full of resin.

Jandcinok · 10-21-2021, 04:59 PM

No larger than your cavities are, I would fill them with chopped fiberglass soaked in epoxy resin.

sandwip · 10-21-2021, 07:10 PM

Bondo long strand mix that they use for autobody repair. Just add hardener and mix then fill. Can get in a quart size. It is thick enough that it will not run out any holes in the bottom and will hold screws well.