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Topic: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks (Read 1220 times) previous topic - next topic

FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

I went on the roof today to track down a small leak in the rear bedroom roof. I figured it was the screws from the rail running above the leaking area.

I did find some cracks but also found numerous hair line cracks (about 1/2") on top of the roof, they appear to be in the gelcoat.
What is a good repair for the gelcoat?
Is it as simple as painting a coat of gelcoat over the hairline cracks?
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #1 –
Would suggest a search here for "roof cracks". There is lots of information, a some from me. This is a very complicated issue.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #2 –
Yes, you can do that or use a paint/primer or elastomeric paint.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #3 –
I had about 200 small cracks on my roof that reappeared after the PO had FOT redo (top coat) the entire roof.  Some could be depressed and a small amount of water would come out.

I temporarily sealed all of them with lap sealant while waiting to keep an appointment with Xtreme out in Coach Buck City.  Once at Xtreme Rance ground them all out,  re-glassed them and painted the entire roof.  The cost was a bit more than double what FOT charged the PO two years ago, but they're properly fixed now.

In the past I have had great, long lasting results using white Marine Tex to make roof repairs.  You can buff it to a high shine that's
almost indiscernable on a white boat hull.

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #4 –
That is what I had done a couple years ago. Some were epoxied and the bigger ones glasses in. It looked like the bottom of a sail boat.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #5 –
Do the cracks naturally occur with age?
'07 Phenix Double slide, Bunk beds, 42'
'14 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #6 –
James at Xtreme said mine was from outgassing. But it was 14 years old at the time.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
  Coach Buck City. 

 :))  :))  :))  :))  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Darrell LeBeau –
Do the cracks naturally occur with age?
Not necessarily - there must be other factors involved.  Our '93 model roof has zero cracks.  It IS badly powdered out and faded from continual exposure to TX sunshine, but no cracks.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Not necessarily - there must be other factors involved.  Our '93 model roof has zero cracks.  It IS badly powdered out and faded from continual exposure to TX sunshine, but no cracks.

Are you the original owners.......................meaning could it have been redone?

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #10 –
Ours was stripped-down and re-coated in 2013, I see nothing in the files to indicate any roof problems. living all her life in the SW, I'd say that's pretty good!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Darrell LeBeau –
Do the cracks naturally occur with age?

My 20 year old 270 is near perfect, still glossy and no signs of cracks. Stored  outside, Northwest coach tho... same for my older 280.

Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
Are you the original owners.......................meaning could it have been redone?
No, we're actually owners #5, but the roof is original - no doubt of that.  I have service records and actual cash receipts for everything ever done to the coach, all the way back to day 1.  One of the BIG reasons we bought it!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #13 –
The roof in the photo looks great. Nice and shinny. What I don't understand is that it is "stored" under roof. Why would anyone buy a great coach then store it. Ours has been on the road and used full time since it's birth and, while needing updates and corrections because of that heavy use, it's still a great coach. Some of the factory shine has faded and needs attention but storage, never! Drive On!
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #14 –
Age does not help anything I know of.  My 95 U-240 has been kept under roof for the last 10 yrs, before that I don't know.  I had a crack about 2 foot long that gaped open between the bath skylite and the read roof a/c.  The fiberglass was very thin in that area,  I repaired it my self.  lots of sanding and fiberglass, topped over with FT gelcoat.  That was about 3-4 yrs ago.  Last year I checked the repair and found many small surface cracks around the bath skylite.  My repair was doing fine.  So I took the skylite out and more sanding, fiberglass, new skylite and topped over with epoxy fiberglass paint.  Just checked it the other day and all is well.  My roof in that area is thin, why I don't know, but it is fine in other areas. 
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: FIBERGLASS/GELCOAT cracks

Reply #15 –
I come from the polymers/fiberglass industry. The cracks shown in your photos are "Craze Cracking" and of little consequence. It appears to be strictly on the surface of the gel coat and all fiberglass will eventually craze crack in area where there is surface stress.

We all have leaks from time to time and usually they are related to "Poke Throughs" any place something breaks the surface of the roof like the antennae, the air conditioner, the skylight, the roof rails. They all require re-caulking from time to time. Sometimes you will find a roof crack that goes from one of the "Poke Throughs" to another area and it will be all the way through the roof fiberglass. These can cause leaks but they are fairly easy to repair with a Dremel tool and some good urethane caulk. Take a small pocket knife and if you can stick the point down into the crack in needs to be addressed. Surface cracks, "Craze Cracks" can be ignored.

Due to the quality of the Foretravel full fiberglass roofs, seldom are leaks serious. Catch them early and "Plug the Hole".  Just check the roof every place in the area of the leak on the fiberglass roof surface. You will probably find a void in the caulk around a "Poke Through" that can be easily cleaned and re-caulked.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback