Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: dans96u295ft on August 12, 2020, 09:08:17 pm

Title: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: dans96u295ft on August 12, 2020, 09:08:17 pm
Finally released for light duty from the Doctor.  I ended up buying Henrys plastic roof mastic patch in a gallon can and spreading thin layers into the damage. Dry's overnight to a nice, waterproof elastic patch then I'll cover it with my 2 foot by 2 foot  black plastic sheets my local company cut for me. I'll glue them with construction adhesive onto the area above the wheels with screws to hold until dry Should be a good, weather tight seal. Time will tell. If this fails I'll try the Marine adhesive that Wolfe suggested.
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: Chuck Pearson on August 13, 2020, 01:58:58 pm
Those fender well liners look like ABS, anyone know for sure?
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: John Haygarth on August 13, 2020, 02:01:41 pm
Yes I think you are right Chuck. I did a repair 10 yrs ago to the one below shower and covered it with thin aluminum sheeting. Glued and screwed and has never moved
Johnh
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: dans96u295ft on August 13, 2020, 02:38:51 pm
Yes, they are abs on my 96. That's why I'm covering with the same rather than replacing
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: Chuck Pearson on August 13, 2020, 04:43:52 pm
Yes, they are abs on my 96. That's why I'm covering with the same rather than replacing

Good plan.  You can get ABS cement at plumbing supply if so inclined. :)
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: dans96u295ft on August 13, 2020, 05:22:55 pm
Have one installed with liquid nails hd construction adhesive. Hard part is applying pressure on the 2x2 plastic while drying. I put 4, one gallon paint cans on the tires and wedged them tight into the middle and then screwed ( 3 screws per side with washers )the outside into the existing abs. Every couple hours I go smooth out the new panel to make sure it's tight while drying. 48 hours drying will tell the story!
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: wolfe10 on August 13, 2020, 05:28:48 pm
Be VERY careful with something between the tire and the top of the fender well.  A little change in leveling/air in the air bags and you could crush the top of the fender well.

BUT, if you have jack stands (4 in the back) and the coach is resting on them-- would not be an issue.
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: nitehawk on August 13, 2020, 05:46:34 pm
Brett, isn't that the bottom or underside of the fender well that is right above the tire?
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: Doug W. on August 13, 2020, 06:29:40 pm
Those fender well liners look like ABS, anyone know for sure?

When I lost the right rear ride height control valve going freeway speed by time I was able to get off to the shoulder I had burnt through the fiberglass skin. It is similar to the material used  throughout the basement at least on mine. I used an angle grinder to expose fresh edges, mixed up some fiberglass resin and cut up fiberglass cloth to make a slurry at the consistency a bit heavier then peanut butter and built that area back up to orginal. Sprayed it black and as good as new.
If this were to happen again I'm not sure  aluminum would be the best material to have up there.
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: wolfe10 on August 13, 2020, 06:33:00 pm
Brett, isn't that the bottom or underside of the fender well that is right above the tire?


Correct.  So, it is "above" the air bags.  Air bags sag at all and it will push those cans through the top of the fender well.
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: dans96u295ft on August 13, 2020, 07:13:27 pm
Got it thanks. I can remove them now so i'll go do it
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: dans96u295ft on August 13, 2020, 08:57:30 pm
Everything is done on the drivers side.  Passenger side next. Thanks for all the help
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: John Duld on August 14, 2020, 11:48:41 am
Whatever the repair, just be sure it's watertight.
Title: Re: Patching my inner fender wells
Post by: John Haygarth on August 14, 2020, 11:57:02 pm
Re aluminum not being a good material to use.
After This was repaired I added 1/2" to all the frame stops so even with totally flat air bags the tyres do not touch the wheel well cover any more.
John