Sidewall Delamination

Topic: Sidewall Delamination (Read 1800 times) previous topic - next topic

Sidewall Delamination

January 17, 2017, 11:08:32 am

Hi All,
My early 2009 Nimbus is included in the coaches that are experiencing sidewall delamination. The very beginnings are evident at the slide out cut out, on the lower edge of both slide outs. I have an appointment at FOT on April 10 for repairs but will be taking an interim trip to Florida next month (traveling from Michigan). I wish to minimize further delamination prior to my April appointment by temporarily sealing the slide out opening. I thought about using black silicone sealant but when asked, FOT service suggested using tape and specifically said not to use duct tape. Any suggestions for an effective tape that I could use that won't damage the paint if left on for 2 months?
Thanks for your help!

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #1 – January 17, 2017, 11:36:41 am

Quote from: djpauls – January 17, 2017, 11:08:32 am

My early 2009 Nimbus is included in the coaches that are experiencing sidewall delamination.

Sorry to hear you're having problems, usually we see this on low-end coaches, not a FT. Can you take some pics before you tape it up?

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #2 – January 17, 2017, 11:50:24 am

Use blue painters tape or one of the other long term non marking tapes.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #3 – January 17, 2017, 01:53:33 pm

If not warranty, I would be tempted to take it to Xtreme

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #4 – January 17, 2017, 01:54:31 pm

Quote from: RvTrvlr – January 17, 2017, 11:50:24 am

Use blue painters tape or one of the other long term non marking tapes.

I agree, the blue painters tape worked for us when we traveled from Oregon to Moscow IA. to have HWH replace the blown slide bladder.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #5 – January 17, 2017, 02:46:41 pm

Uploading a picture is not intuitive. The pictures that I have only show the beginnings of the delamination at the slide out cutout.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #6 – January 17, 2017, 02:49:59 pm

There were three in the FOT lot with what looks like two inch green tape. Familiar with the blue but not the light green so can't ID it but maybe someone else can.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #7 – January 17, 2017, 02:52:35 pm

I would be interested in why Xtreme over FOT specifically for this repair. From my discussion with FOT, the slides will be removed to fully expose the cutout. Glue will be inserted in the delamination and clamped and then the rest of the cutout will be treated to prevent further delamination before reinstalling the slides They are estimating 18 - 20 hours per slide which sounds reasonable to me.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #8 – January 17, 2017, 03:00:30 pm

If you do not clean the metal it will delaminates again. Extreme goes the extra mile and exposes and cleans the metal then fixes the wall. The dirty metal will not ahear as clean metal will.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #9 – January 17, 2017, 03:06:36 pm

Quote from: John S – January 17, 2017, 03:00:30 pm

If you do not clean the metal it will delaminates again. Extreme goes the extra mile and exposes and cleans the metal then fixes the wall. The dirty metal will not ahear as clean metal will.

Yup, This is one of the reasons that we will be making an appt with Extreme this spring to deal with stress cracks @ the fridge vent & "do" the roof

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #10 – January 17, 2017, 03:08:50 pm

The blue tape will not come off easily after a month or two. Xtreme uses a lot of 3M yellow tape. Not sure which one. Both of these are available at Amazon.

3M™ Performance Masking Tape Yellow 301+

3M™ Automotive Refinish Yellow Masking Tape, 48 mm, 06656

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #11 – January 17, 2017, 03:41:36 pm

Thanks for the help. I will contact Xtreme. The Yellow tape should lead to many discussions on my Florida trip. I also figured out how to upload pictures

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #12 – January 17, 2017, 07:49:54 pm

At the advice of Greg at Xtreme I used black silicone for the four months prior to my appointment with them, to fix the same problem you have.

They didn't have to move or remove my slide, and their work is flawless. If I were you I'd get a second opinion from them.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #13 – January 17, 2017, 08:48:08 pm

Both 3M and Duct Tape make a special Extreme tape. It's said to be removable up to 6 months of exposure, without leaving residues. It's about double the price of standard tape.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #14 – January 17, 2017, 08:52:17 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – January 17, 2017, 07:49:54 pm

At the advice of Greg at Extreme I used black silicone for the four months prior to my appointment with them, to fix the same problem.

I don't understand why they say use silicon. It's well known that silicone contaminates fiberglass/gelcoat and makes it nearly impossible to get anything to stick to it without grinding away the contaminated material. Just say NO to silicone around fiberglass!

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #15 – January 17, 2017, 09:16:18 pm

936-560-5888

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #16 – January 18, 2017, 12:57:00 am

George & Steph, We use a lot of the green tape. It is our favorite for 'all things taped' and makes a good lable, too: Scotch 233+. We can show you the tape when you get to Quartzsite.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #17 – January 27, 2017, 03:12:46 am

I've been using Scotch Tough No Residue Duct Tape for several years, and it sticks like death but never leaves a residue. Have had it holding wires on the roof for a year, including hot summers, and it comes off. I never use any other tape on the outside of the coach, and especially don't use any other duct tape. Highly recommend it.

Get it from Amazon, Home Depot, etc.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #18 – March 28, 2017, 08:28:36 pm

Update. Appointment confirmed with Xtreme for April 10th. They will need the coach for 5 weeks. I decided to have them do the full perimeter of both slides. Painting the roof while it is there. I will report back when completed.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #19 – March 29, 2017, 03:10:05 am

Quote from: djpauls – March 28, 2017, 08:28:36 pm

Update. Appointment confirmed with Xtreme for April 10th. They will need the coach for 5 weeks. I decided to have them do the full perimeter of both slides. Painting the roof while it is there. I will report back when completed.

Far out!
Our appt is for the 8th of May...so now know who's ahead of us.
happy trails

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #20 – June 17, 2017, 08:42:04 pm

Update.
Repairs completed a couple of weeks ago. While at Xtreme we noticed and additional delamination on the RS below the refrigerator vent caused by broken refrigerator condensate tube. Also had the roof painted. 20 coach bucks later I am very happy with the work that Xtreme did.

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #21 – June 17, 2017, 08:44:03 pm

Additional pictures

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #22 – June 17, 2017, 08:57:40 pm

Yup I had stress cracks at the fridge vent & LR roofline, after Xtreme got into it found de-lam all around the vent, also deleted the ladder and repaired all the damage that C/W did to our roof... now happy camper (for now anyways)
Next on list is getting the leveling system to totally work like I've been told it should & tackle the Zip-Dee main awning issues..... next years to do list is growing

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #23 – June 18, 2017, 11:32:40 am

Don,

Looks like it turned out nice. Pretty coach!

Re: Sidewall Delamination

Reply #24 – June 18, 2017, 11:47:29 am

My understanding is FT just painted the perimeter after they did the cut out, instead of doing a proper sealing.

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