Fibreglass panels bubbling

[Tantalus]

Our 20-year old mh started to develop a few small bubbles on the fibreglass panels last year. Now they are extensive. They seem firm, not soft. Should I worry?

 

[funflair]

Our 20-year old mh started to develop a few small bubbles on the fibreglass panels last year. Now they are extensive. They seem firm, not soft. Should I worry?View attachment 597325

Is that a moulded panel or the flat sides? and is it just close to a joint? if it's a flat side I would want to know what was going on behind the fibreglass face rather than inside the laminate if that makes sense.

 

[Tantalus]

It's in several places but mostly on the back. That's all fibreglass, the sides are ali and ok.

 

[sonar]

It’s osmosis caused by water or dampness trapped within the GRP.

Common on watercraft..
you tube has a few good vids on it.

 

[The general]

Common on watercraft

Extremely expensive to cure

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[funflair]

It’s osmosis caused by water or dampness trapped within the GRP.

Common on watercraft..
you tube has a few good vids on it.

But it's not a watercraft so should not really be subject to that much moisture, doesn't osmosis show as blisters that you can prick? the OP says that this is still firm.

 

[sonar]

But it's not a watercraft so should not really be subject to that much moisture, doesn't osmosis show as blisters that you can prick? the OP says that this is still firm.

No they very hard bubbles of polyester Gelcoat.


caused by water ingress . No other reason .
best just let it go as repairing it is quite difficult and time consuming.

 

[Cliffdale]

Oh for the fear of God, osmosis on boats! May not be on a boat but gel and particularly fibre glass wicks water to cause blistering. Mostly on or above the water line. Do you prick the water bubbles deeper than the gel coat?

 

[sonar]

Best left alone or treated properly.
when you open or drill the bubbles there will already be some you can’t see and will still come through at a later Date.

once you drill them you will make things worse. They are then open to the environment.

cheap polyester gel coat most likely for general use.
having said that Lloyds approved gelcoat is not much better.

 

[Tantalus]

Thanks everyone. I have decided to ignore it and just enjoy the van. It is 20 years old and not looking to sell it. It's an Autotrail on a Merc so great engine and interior - they were back then. (Not the one in my avatar, that's my other one, haha) I can only think that as it is stored outside in the winter water has got in during one of the storms. I am hoping that it is nothing to do with the polish used the past 2 years. It's marine polish called Starbrite that has PTEF - not PTFE by the way. Bloomin' expensive too.

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[robrace]

Got the same problem on my Buccaneer on the roof rails and back panel!Had a problem with water ingress on the roof a few years ago so vehicle now substantially worth less as a result!So Will have to put up with it