Delamination Question

Topic: Delamination Question (Read 2186 times) previous topic - next topic

Delamination Question

April 03, 2020, 07:09:11 pm

Happy Travels All!
I recently purchased a 1989 Grand Villa Coach. There is delamination under the windows. The rig was stored in an airplane hanger until 4 months before I purchased it. When I did the inspection I was aware of the delamination and thoroughly checked the rig..My question is if I have sealed all the windows and seams and am sure no water or moisture is coming in is it safe to drive the rig until June when I can do the repairs? Will I damage it more by driving? I know on the cheap motor homes it's usually soft behind the delamination but when I press on the 'warp' the surface behind it doesnt move at all...very solid. Any words of wisdom to share?

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #1 – April 03, 2020, 08:20:02 pm

How about some photos? Easier to have an opinion then.

Pierce

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #2 – April 03, 2020, 09:16:44 pm

June isn't far off and since you're going to repair it then, I say, "Cleared for takeoff."

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #3 – April 03, 2020, 10:37:30 pm

I agree. You need to post some photos. What you think is delamination may not be.
But the fiberglass on these coaches is relatively thick I think comparably. About an eighth of an inch maybe.I cut part out to install a keypad for the new door locking system. That's what it seemed. Underneath it is a foam. And then another layer of fiberglass I think. Didn't look at the inside part. And then there's plywood panels covered with either wallpaper vinyl backed or wood with veneer.
As far as repair you might have to grind down all the fiberglass to the foam and re-glass it. But the pictures will tell a story. We all like pictures. We also like signature. In your signature fill in what your coat you have and what model. It helps when you ask questions. Good luck.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #4 – April 03, 2020, 10:45:06 pm

Unless the fiberglass is cut away what is a picture of a delam blister going to tell you?

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #5 – April 03, 2020, 10:51:23 pm

Do a tap test. Take a quarter and tap on and near the delamination. Listen to the tone. If it has the same tone it may be warped, but not delaminates. If it sounds solid it probly would live it entire life happily. If it's dead sounding you have a delamination, but if the window is secure and you reduce your max speed to under say Eighty you probably will be fine. If we come across delamination in honeycomb materials at work generally they can be continued in service with regular reinspections for sometimes months. Also sometimes the engineers require covering with aluminum tape to prevent moisture from entering and causing more damage do to repeated freeze cycles. I wouldn't myself worry till the windows start moving. IMO.
Scott

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #6 – April 03, 2020, 11:15:30 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – April 03, 2020, 10:45:06 pm

Unless the fiberglass is cut away what is a picture of a delam blister going to tell you?

I had a couple places that started to delaminate. I drilled a hole on the inside of one compartment and injected some resin and then wedged a post from a car to the outside of the compartment. The other one just required pushing on the outside after drilling a hole and again, injecting resin. A photo might give an idea the easiest way to fix it perhaps without even a shop.

Pierce

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #7 – April 04, 2020, 08:39:46 am

Looking back I think the OP's question was related to whether he could drive the coach, not how to fix the delam.

Anxiously awaiting photos.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #8 – April 04, 2020, 11:02:17 am

Been trying to upload but the site keeps crashing.

It does seem to act more like warping. It's much more visible late in the day after the sun has been on it. The only thing I am worried about is the bottom of the panel popping out of the trim.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #9 – April 04, 2020, 11:33:10 am

Here are a few pics.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #10 – April 04, 2020, 11:34:08 am

1 more

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #11 – April 04, 2020, 11:48:24 am

The wave/warped behind wheel? That's the symptom to structure moving. If I'm seeing picture correct. Put a straight edge alongside to give reference. Circle damage with grease pen.
Scott

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #12 – April 04, 2020, 12:13:49 pm

That does look suspicious. Take a look at the rear bulkhead. The "delamination" is right above where the big angle iron bolts to the middle struction. You need to make sure the bulkhead is secure before driving. Take a photo underneath of the bulkhead and big angle iron. One member had it fail while underway.

Do all of your compartment doors open and close correctly?

Pierce

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #13 – April 04, 2020, 12:16:23 pm

have you already purchased this vehicle? search for Acoutsticarts bulkhead repair thread on the forum

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #14 – April 04, 2020, 12:19:05 pm

If it worsens when the sun is on it, most likely delam. JMO.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #15 – April 04, 2020, 12:41:36 pm

Yup, post a picture of the rear bulkhead. We can then help you determine if this is structural or a "mostly" cosmetic delam of the side wall.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #16 – April 04, 2020, 04:08:27 pm

Where do I find this to.take the picture. In front of wheels or behind. How do I get at it.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #17 – April 04, 2020, 04:15:56 pm

BULKHEADS: In front of the rear wheels, behind the front wheels.

You are looking up from the ground. For the rear, the very back of the white fiberglass underbody. The bolts come forward through the 1/4" angle and into the box beam that is above that white fiberglass that you see.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #18 – April 04, 2020, 04:17:35 pm

Is.this it?

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #19 – April 04, 2020, 04:18:56 pm

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #20 – April 04, 2020, 04:24:00 pm

There is next to zero rust on this rig. Everything I have encountered is visual...and I figured if it's not structural I can fix it...its my new project.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #21 – April 04, 2020, 04:26:03 pm

2nd picture is of the bulkhead. Looks like you might have an issue with the way the fiberglass skin is wrinkled.

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #22 – April 04, 2020, 05:00:17 pm

Yup picture #2 is the bulkhead. Verify that wrinkled FG on the same side with the concave side= driver's side. Spills in the wet bay are a common source of water into the bulkhead leading to RUST!

So post a picture of the drop down door area of the wet bay as well.

IF, repeat IF you have safety stands in place and/or you drive up on 2X 12's so you have room below if an air bag failed, put a torque wrench on the Rolock bolts. 15 ft- pounds is enough to tell if they are good. You will find they either unscrew with well less than that torque or that they hold. If they don't hold, you will find that the bolt is broken 4 threads or so in-- where the bolt goes into the first side of the box beam.

If broken, the "fix" isn't too difficult or expensive. Plenty of writeups going back more than a decade on this. Here is one from 11 years ago: Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #23 – April 04, 2020, 05:06:29 pm

We need a photo of the other side of your second photo and as much of the bottom skin distortion as possible. The Roloks on this side look OK with only a small separation under the second fastener. So, initially, I would say the problem lies just where your photo flash cannot reach.

The damage could be in the tubing forward of the driver's side bulkhead angle iron. This would be around the wet bay and could be caused by a leak. So send photos of that area. I suspect the bottom white Glas area may have to be removed to see the extent of the problem in that area. Do your compartment doors have even space between them back there?

Pierce

Re: Delamination Question

Reply #24 – April 04, 2020, 05:21:23 pm

I.dont see anything wrong.

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