04Adventurer
Jim Thorpe, Pa. U.S.A.
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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I have a compartment door on my class a motorhome that is starting to delaminate. Is there any way I can repair this myself? I do have some body work experience.
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Robbie
Blue Springs, MO USA
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Joined: 03/26/2002
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Dear Coachman:
Gel coat fiberglass is not the easiest product to work with on the exterior finish. You'll need top get set up with all the materials and a large dust free i environment to work and you good probably do it yourself. The only issue might be if the compartment door itself is painted and matching the paint then becomes another issue.
Would I try it with my own several years of fiberglass repair experience, no? I would leave it to the professionals, that way I have someone to blame other than myself if the project doesn't turn out well.
Good luck
Robbie
1998 36Z Southwind
Banks Stinger System & Transcom shift module
Davis Tru-Trac and Saf-T-Plus Steering Damper
Blue Ox Tow Bar with Brake Buddy
FMCA#269168
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native37
deceased
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Joined: 08/27/2002
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Not covered by your warranty? Take it to a professional fiberglass repair center and pay to get it fixed.
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wsharp
Leesburg,FL
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Joined: 09/05/2003
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I have had a problem with the body panel covering the wheel deliminating and the trim molding disappearing on a trip. The plywood inside the panel sandwich was rotten and delaminating. I cleaned out the rot using my best dental techniques, filled the voids with glass filled epoxy, and forced epoxy into the delaminated plywood and clamped the result. So far so good!! Good Luck
wsharp 98 Santara
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Clubmaxx
St Cloud, MN
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Joined: 09/07/2002
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Coachman,
What is your rig? Is the door itself delaminating or the area around the door?
I am probably one of a rare class of idot that has gone so far as to totally rebuild a class A from stem to stern. The reason I started it was it had a small sign of delamination I wanted to take care of. Turned into an 11 month project. Most cargo doors themselves are not fiberglass. They are an aluminum sandwitch. If the aluminum has separated from the foam it is totally different repair than a fiberglass. Let me know if you want to see what a naked Class A looks like!
'84 Titan 36' 454, Thorleys, Monroes, Bilstein Steering stabilizer, and 16-months of rebuilding inside and out. Check out the whole rebuild project HERE.
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master52
Middleville, MI USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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Yes you can and I am putting together a system to do just that. Contact = svp@iserv.net
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CaptEd
Kansas
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Joined: 07/30/2003
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Clubmaxx:
My rig has some very bad delamination on the body side panels in the front and rear. It is a 1991 Sportscoach Pathfinder (which SCA is gone, bought out by Coachman). I took it to a Coachman dealer and was told it would be cost prohibitive to re-do and knew of no one who did this type of thing anyway. The siding is vinyl covered sandwich of plywood and polystyrene. The dealer told me that water leaks caused the delamination, although not seen inside, it runs down between the outer layers. I find this hard to believe, and think something else is the cause, but regardless it would appear that the only fix would be to completely remove the exterior and apply a new one (along with a new roof). I have a shop that I keep my rig in, and have the tools to do the necessary work... but what do I use for materials? Any help would be appreciated (from anyone).
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Badeye
Bonaire GA
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Joined: 03/06/2003
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I do not know the age of your unit but I will make a suggestion. Working with the gel coat fiberglass is not something for a beginner. If your rig is one of those that has the metal rimmed fiberglass compartment doors you could be in luck. You might contact Coachmen at the Fitzgerald GA facility and ask thier advice. They are very good people to work with and will provide you with the necessary information for you to make a decision. I am sending you some contact information by private message.
Just tried to send the private message and found that your profile is set up so that I cannot send one. If you need the information, let me know how to get it to you.
"No one can guarantee success, only effort."
Bob & Fran
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 40 ft DP
2002 Dodge Durango
Ready Brute Tow Bar
Ready Brake Tow Brake
FMCA F324606
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Jerry B
Ozark Highlands
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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Werner,
I am interested in seeing how you did the repair. We spend part of the winter in Eustis, perhaps we can visit and have a look see. My National Dolphin has a little "swelling" problem.
Jerry B
1996 Dolphin 535,F-53.
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Clubmaxx
St Cloud, MN
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Joined: 09/07/2002
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CaptEd,
Give me your email address and I can send you a few picture files of my total rebuild. It shows you what to expect when you see delamination. It is not a cheap or easy thing to fix but it can done and if done right it will not leak again. By the time you see delamination, you only see 10% of the problem. When you see my pictures you will see what I mean. I have helped a number of members now with various levels of delamination. Just fixing the delamination without fixing why it did st is a tremendous waste of time and money. There are a number of things I discovered along the way that would have prevented it from happening in the first place. Drop me a line with your address and I'll send you the pictures.
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