Community Forums

RV_PETE · 10-26-2021, 04:52 PM

Hello all, had unfortunate incident on the way home few weeks ago. Camper fell on its side and poked a few holes in the fiberglass siding. Looks like it's glued to paneling and the fiberglass is about 1/16th thick. I can get a roll of this fiberglass material. My question is can I glue the new fiberglass to the existing fiberglass siding? I had no insurance at the time of accident due to policy change to storage, long story. So I've got all parts coming just need to get the wall fixed ASAP so any advise for doing this job would be greatly appreciated. It looks bad however, its mostly cosmetic. Tipped over at low speed on edge of road and skirting was on the asphalt and the fiberglass portion was in the grass. I believe the holes were from a couple rocks rolling under it..
Thanks in advance.

Fiesta48 · 10-26-2021, 09:06 PM

Why not patch the holes? Try YouTube for help.

TXiceman · 10-27-2021, 09:47 AM

The sidewalls are typically a laminated and bonded piece. It would be much easier to just patch a few holes rather than strip the siding off the wall.

Ken

Ljwt330 · 10-27-2021, 10:05 AM

Can you post close ups of the damage? It's difficult to tell just how bad the holes are and whether or not there is any delamination of the side wall skin.

I tend to agree with the others that patching holes would be the way to go.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like there is black tape over the holes and if so, there are a few long slices in the side. All of that can be repaired by fiberglass filler, mixed with epoxy or polyester resin. Stripping the fiberglass skin and replacing large sections doesn't appear to be necessary and that process is difficult and expensive. If there is no delamination, fix the holes/slices with filler, sand down and cover with thin fiberglass cloth, then repaint.

The compartment door looks to need rebuilding, but that can be done as well, relatively easily.

DRM901 · 10-27-2021, 04:42 PM

I suggest the patching as well. I've done a decent amount of fiberglassing related to my boats, and everything I learnt was from reading the West Systems books. They also have videos. (https://www.westsystem.com/instruction-2/)

You would need to feather the cuts into deep Vs, then fiberglass matting. Fair the patch out (a lot like drywall, if you have ever done that work).

Maybe a few decals to take your eye away from the repairs.

sibe · 10-27-2021, 05:14 PM

Just a note this fiberon skin is may be 1/16" thick glued to wood or an underlayment..

You can trim away all the loose stuff, the broken underlayment and any damaged foam, Step it out, the foam you can use a low expanding foam, let ot dry and shape.. then Get a FINE chopped auto grade fiberglass or SMC repair compound.. IT can be spread smooth, it is strong and can e sanded, promed , painted.. etc..

Any loose fiberon you have can be epoxed back in place by injecting epoxy with a syringe.

Good luck..and take you time..

RV_PETE · 10-27-2021, 05:58 PM

Here are some better pictures if the holes. I understand patching the holes but its an unfinished product. Meaning the fiberglass panel isn't painted the finish is the material. If I patch the holes ill have to paint it. Trying to make it look factory again. A 40 ft roll of that stuff is around 800 bucks just need adhesive to attach it. Everyone I've talked to including YouTube videos deal with delamination or rotten wood. So they replace the wood then glue the fiberglass to the wood. My theory is to sand the holes smooth and glue the new fiberglass to the existing fiberglass. No rot no structural damage and not delaminating. Leaning toward a loctite product called instabond. Used for bathroom walls very strong comes in caulk or gallon form. With all the windows doors ect I think it may work and if not I can go the wood route.

Tha_Rooster · 10-27-2021, 06:09 PM

Looks like it needs entire wall, windows, door pretty much totaled. I can’t believe it’s not way out of square. Maybe you could find another one in a salvage yard and take parts off of it.

bentjm · 10-27-2021, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Looks like it needs entire wall, windows, door pretty much totaled. I can’t believe it’s not way out of square. Maybe you could find another one in a salvage yard and take parts off of it.

I too would wonder about underlying, hidden damage to the frame.

Bowtie Jim · 10-27-2021, 07:22 PM

No insurance?

Jay D. · 10-27-2021, 07:36 PM

i would remove the windows and anything else that attaches to the damaged area and glue a new sheet right over the top. you can get a molding strip to clean up the edge and glue it on. pay attention to the glue you use. the fiberglass sheets if very big are hard to handle especially getting them glued and on properly. we used a special contact cement, but you almost need to spray it on. we rolled it on and got a few lumps hardly noticeable. if you roll it on make one pass with the roller other wise you'll get lumps and to much build up. be prepared, do several DRY runs. if you use contact cement after the glue is on and you sick it on the side thats it you can't move it.
Jay D.

US1 · 10-27-2021, 07:53 PM

Not sure I would use any type of chaulking as an adhesive. The chaulking lines will show up thru the new panels. Possibly a spray adhesive.

twogypsies · 10-27-2021, 10:59 PM

Contact the manufacturer and see what they recommend.

Teamfoxy · 10-28-2021, 06:33 AM

The problem I see with gluing new over old, in the feild, is geting it in place with no voids between the original and new material. The heat from the sun will expand the air in the voids and you will see large blisters in the sides. I would consider repairing the holes and getting the side wrapped rather than painted.