gel coat repair (1 Viewer)

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sinbad1

Deleted User
Just been out to clean the old gal and noticed what looks like fine cracks in the surface gel coat.( no cracks that i can see at the back)

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Whats the best way to deal with this , its not a major problem and only visible on close inspection.

any ideas ?

Regards
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
Stress fractures, quite common on Motorhome over head pod area
normal repair is fill and paint, but get charged for a specialist glass repair
Geo
 
Oct 15, 2007
1,621
280
Five Roads Alyth
Funster No
633
MH
A class RV
Exp
since 2005
Hi, only way is to cut out the crack, ie cut in along it's length going deep enough the the crack is iradicated. At this point it dependes on how thick the fiber glass is and how far in you had to cut. Thin fiberglass or a deep cut will require laying up proper fiber glass underneath and frankly looking at the pics this is the likely cause, ie thin fiberglass at a high stress area (flexing). Once properly strenghened and the actual crack gone a good(body shop) filler can be used to fill the cuts then paint.

Now, I don't believe that's the official line but it works subject to the fiber glass strengh/thickness AND complete cutting out of the crack. If either arn't right the crack will be back in a matter of a few months. The other option is cutting out the whole area and remaking which really requires a mold in your case. My method above allows an easy return to the correct panel shape as the filler sands easily as opposed to the gel coat so levels are easier to maintain.

Either way you'll end up having to paint the entire panel/area.

Errrr, have fun:thumb:

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OP
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S

sinbad1

Deleted User
Stress fractures, quite common on Motorhome over head pod area
normal repair is fill and paint, but get charged for a specialist glass repair
Geo

thanks Geo the fine cracks are at the rear where the llight cluster is what filler and paint is the best to use? or would it be better to use a gelcoat repair kit.

Regards
 
OP
OP
S

sinbad1

Deleted User
Hi, only way is to cut out the crack, ie cut in along it's length going deep enough the the crack is iradicated. At this point it dependes on how thick the fiber glass is and how far in you had to cut. Thin fiberglass or a deep cut will require laying up proper fiber glass underneath and frankly looking at the pics this is the likely cause, ie thin fiberglass at a high stress area (flexing). Once properly strenghened and the actual crack gone a good(body shop) filler can be used to fill the cuts then paint.

Now, I don't believe that's the official line but it works subject to the fiber glass strengh/thickness AND complete cutting out of the crack. If either arn't right the crack will be back in a matter of a few months. The other option is cutting out the whole area and remaking which really requires a mold in your case. My method above allows an easy return to the correct panel shape as the filler sands easily as opposed to the gel coat so levels are easier to maintain.

Either way you'll end up having to paint the entire panel/area.

Errrr, have fun:thumb:


umm does sound like fun, the thickness of fibre glass at the rear is not all that thick and fortunately i can get to the rear. Strange it the only place that shows this, rest of the gel coat is fine. having said that it could have had some stress before i got the van.

Regards
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
As it is I would leave well alone until it really bugs you get some wax polish in the cracks for now then have it done at a paint shop, its not really a diy proposition,as above it will need cutting out and re finishing, done professionally it will last and be invisible:thumb:
Geo

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Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
6,194
East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
If you can easily get at the back, lay up some more fibre glass matting over the area to reinforce it.

Cut the mat to shape, place it on some cling film, pour on the resin and then offer it up with your hand under the cling film, no sticky fingers then and it will stay put.

Peter
 
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S

sinbad1

Deleted User
As it is I would leave well alone until it really bugs you get some wax polish in the cracks for now then have it done at a paint shop, its not really a diy proposition,as above it will need cutting out and re finishing, done professionally it will last and be invisible:thumb:
Geo

You are probably right at the moment the craks are quite small, i did have another look and i suspect that at some time the rear light cluster has been replaced. This would account for the fine craks in the gell coat.

Regards

If you can easily get at the back, lay up some more fibre glass matting over the area to reinforce it.

Cut the mat to shape, place it on some cling film, pour on the resin and then offer it up with your hand under the cling film, no sticky fingers then and it will stay put.

Peter

Think i may just do that in veiw of what i suspect, the fine cracks can wait (would toothpaste fill the cracks::bigsmile:)
Good idea with the cling film though, as long as i don't end up with a permenant face pack:ROFLMAO:

Regards
 

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