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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Watchout for unknow rainy weather leaks.....
Regarding silicone and sealants:
There are three types of sealants: silicone, polyurethane, and solvent-based.
Silicone, and polyurethane, have a curing mechanism that reacts with moisture to solidify the sealant. Solvent-based sealants go through a drying process, where the solvent evpaorates.
Silicone's limitations are relatively low-strength and non-paintable. Silicone is water proof, but requires diligent preparation.
Attributes of solvent base are the solvent performs a self-priming function helping bond strength, however the sealant continually shrinks and dries out as the solvent goes away. That's when leaks start.
I prefer one-part polyurethane as a long-lasting, strong, and paintable sealant. Many polyurethanes have a small solvent component for self-priming purposes. One downside is they take along time to cure.
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bingford
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11/25/12 08:25am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help in getting a Class C
We traveled extensively with 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog in a 28' Class C, plus a Jeep GC in tow. Worked great for us.
Bunking for a night, and living in the rig, are two different things, so a lot depends on how long you intend to be on the road. The quality of the experience is directly proportional to the comfort of the occupants.
Put too many people in the rig and life will not be easy.
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bingford
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11/25/12 08:10am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Seam caulking - Newbie questions
Regarding sealants:
There are three types of sealants: silicone, polyurethane, and solvent-based.
Silicone, and polyurethane, have a curing mechanism that reacts with moisture to solidify the sealant. Solvent-based sealants go through a drying process, where the solvent evpaorates.
Silicone's limitations are relatively low-strength and non-paintable. Silicone is water proof, but requires diligent preparation.
Attributes of solvent base are the solvent performs a self-priming function helping bond strength, however the sealant continually shrinks and dries out as the solvent goes away. That's when leaks start.
I prefer one-part polyurethane as a long-lasting, strong, and paintable sealant. Many polyurethanes have a small solvent component for self-priming purposes. One downside is they take along time to cure.
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bingford
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11/18/12 06:39am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Surface crack on side, repair? prevent further damage?
If you want a crack to stop where it is, drill a tiny hole (large than the crack) right at the end of it and the crack will stop there until you get time or place to repair it right. Then, put some caulking or other sealant in the crack and the drill hole.
Not very pretty, but it stops water penetration and damage until you can get it done right.
I agree with drilling small holes to relieve stress points at the ends of the crack.
You can also clean the crack (slightly deeper/wider)with a Dremel-like tool, which will provide space for the sealant
Use a one-part polyurethane sealant to fill the crack. Use blue painters tape to protect the surrounding surface.
The only alternative is fiberglass repair, which would require painting.
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bingford
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11/12/12 08:58am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: just recaulk it all?
Most windows and openings are sealed by the factory using butyl tape sandwhiched between the window/opening frame and the siding, just like plumbers putty is used to seal a sink faucet or drain.
"Caulk" is somethimng that is applied on the outside of the frame as an auxilery seal.
I reccomend pulling the window or opening frame and resealing with butyl tape. After removing all the excess butyl, apply a bead of 1-part polyurethane sealant ot the outside of the frame.
Check out www.delamrepair.com for details
Out of curiosity, do you own delamrepair.com?
No. I used the product and liked it. I also say good things and make reccomendations about Loctite, Michelin, and a few other brands.
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bingford
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09/23/12 06:37pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: delam area felt dry inside- repair or just fix leaks?
Pull the light.
Inject epoxy from Composet (www.delamrepair.com)
Seal the light with butyl tape and 1-part polyurethane
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bingford
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09/23/12 12:03am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: diff. delam photo angle- spot near roof edge
Go to www.delamrepair.com and look at thier epoxy injection system
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bingford
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09/23/12 12:02am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: just recaulk it all?
Most windows and openings are sealed by the factory using butyl tape sandwhiched between the window/opening frame and the siding, just like plumbers putty is used to seal a sink faucet or drain.
"Caulk" is somethimng that is applied on the outside of the frame as an auxilery seal.
I reccomend pulling the window or opening frame and resealing with butyl tape. After removing all the excess butyl, apply a bead of 1-part polyurethane sealant ot the outside of the frame.
Check out www.delamrepair.com for details
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bingford
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09/23/12 12:00am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Fiberglass siding adhesive
As mentioned above, anything with solvents will destroy the styrofoam insulation.
Try the Composet SLV epoxy, might work for you.
ww.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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09/22/12 11:54pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: tiny crack in fiberglass- how to repair
I agree with the no silicone rule.
1-part polyurethane sealant is my choice. Loctite Window and Door Sealant.
I've also had some luck with Composet's SLV epoxy for delam.
www.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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09/22/12 11:49pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Carriage Bubble ? De-Laminating ? or what
My suggestion: Fix the leak and take care of the caulk, followed by injecting a bunch of Composet SLV epoxy. That might stop further delam and you can enjoy the coach as is. Unless you are ready to spend a lot of money on a proper repair your options are limited.
I think you can get the SLV injectable epoxy and syringes at www.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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09/09/12 10:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: delamination
For additional resources on delamination and epoxy you can go to www.delamrepair,com
The make a special RV repair epoxy.
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bingford
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09/09/12 10:51pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Need advice on TT purchase
delamination can be a dela breaker
If you are handy and can do the work, and it is not too bad, then can be a deal maker.
Try looking arpund at what other have done to fix delam.
I have used a products from Composet called SLV.
www.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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08/06/12 08:58pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: fix for delamination fiberglas sides - delamination ?
There are a few ways to make repairs. For another option on glue injection go to
www.delamrepair.com.
A lot depends on how bad the damage is.
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bingford
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08/06/12 08:55pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Filon or fiberglass
If you look at it at an angle and the light hits it just right and you can see a stringy looking finish (fiberglass strands) then its Filon. No stringy strands visible then it's gel coat.
It is my understanding that Gelcoat is surface finsih applied over Filon or fiberglass when it it is made. In the case of a fiberglass part the Gelcoat is put into the tool (mold) first, then layers of resin and fiberglass follow.
The Gelcoat is thick, colored resin that provides a smooth finish surface and hides the fiberglass strands.
I suspect that Filon can be made with, with out, a Gelcoat finish. That is why on some units you can see the strands (non-gelcoated Filon), and like you mention, on others you cannot see the strands (gelcoated Filon).
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bingford
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07/29/12 05:22am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Just my ranting on...
It is my understanding that the Filon (thin fiberglass skin) does not fail, but the material the RV factory uses behind the Filon, such as luan plywood, fails. The luan, or in this case "press board", becomes wet and the glue used to make the luan plywood fails.
A simple soulition is for manufactures to use exterior grade plywood, or marine grade plywood. You would think one of the wood products suppliers (like Jamies Hardie Co.) could deliver a water resistant substrate for the RV market.
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bingford
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07/28/12 09:07am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Filon or fiberglass
Filon is a brand name of Fiber Reinforced Plastic(FRP)or fiberglass sheet. The fiberglass sheet is quite thin, maybe 1/16" of an inch thick and is sold in large rolls. The Filon is unrolled and glued to the luan plywood that makes up the RV wall. The Filon is a good product, it is the glue in the luan plywood that fails when wet.
The RV manufactures are not "laying-up fiberglass" in the traditional manner, but buying pre-made sheets of Filon, cutting them to fit, then bonding them to the luan with contact cement.
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bingford
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07/28/12 08:59am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Just my ranting on...
It makes me crazey that the RV industry has such a wide profit margin and yewt they are falling on their faces over simple quality issues! Most delam starts small. Can gjue be injected and sucked closed? just a theory. Happy camping
I used an epoxy called Composet SLV. It is injectable. Figuring out how to clamp the wall together was a challange. The epoxy is very thin. I think you can find it at www.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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07/22/12 06:50am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Huge mistake on water damaged hybrid purchase???
"Bingford - Is the delam repair for reattaching the fiberglass to wood that hasn't been damaged or will it actually revive the wood to provide structural integrity by producing wood/epoxy composite? I looked at the page, but they didn't really have any directions or indications to the extent of damage it could repair."
Bill,
I don't have a lot of technical info on the stuff, other than it is a really thin epoxy. I used it to re-bond a small area under a window. It worked well for my needs. I wouldn't say it was like new when I was done, but then things are only new once. The epoxy was thin enough to penetrate into solid luan, as well as making the comprised luan relatively solid. I suppose omplete removal and replacement would have been a better approach, (as long as the quality of the workmanship was top notch.) In my case I just wanted to glue the loose siding and put some strentgh back into the wall.
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bingford
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07/15/12 12:55pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Water damage repair
Fixed the source of water leak in my 2007 5'er (removed and resealed bedroom window), now I have to get inside the wall to repair the water damage under the window (soft spots). I was thinking of repairing it just like a house wall. Cut out the rotted wood as far over until I find no more rot, then air it out, relace insulation, patch with luan wood and replace with new wallpaper. Does this sound right? Also, would dealers be able to order wallpaper that matches my original wallpaper?
You could try injecting epoxy into the wall to solidify the soft spots, leaving the interior walls in place. It would have been best done when you had the window out because you could pour the epoxy into the walls. You can pull the window and reseal it too.
I used this method and it worked.
Look at this site for details: ww.delamrepair.com
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bingford
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07/15/12 05:34am |
Fifth-Wheels
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