Roof sealant questions

[Travel Light]

Hello fellow Travellers!

I hope everyone is having a good May. Spring has sprung...

We have a 1996 Dodge LTV. I have a few maintenance questions about the roof, and would really appreciate some advice. The fiber glass roof has a couple of chips in it. I'm curious if anyone could recommend a good patching product for these. The largest chip is about the size of a dime.

I am also noticing some fine cracks / spiderwebbing. I have used Dicor in the past for sealing larger cracks, does anyone have experience sealing these finer ones? Lastly, a portion of the stripping (gasket?) that runs along the joint of the fiber glass cap and van body has let go. Has anyone replaced this piece before?

I have included some photos of all of these areas of concern.


Thank you,

Jeff

 

[TheLooks]

You may be able to find that cap piece at Recpro or other sites that sell transition strips and caps. On the fiberglass roof, on a camper that old, I would use Eternabond tape after cleaning up the area well and using the prep spray they sell. I would not seal the finer cracks but clean the area up and perhaps use one of the fiberglass coatings several companies sell. Paint really. Or use Henry's Tropicool on it.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The trim cap can be found but you may need to look.

A small can of polyester resin filler and some fiberglass fiber will take care of the holes,but will require some work to Fair it out.

The spidering I more of a gel coat issue,than a structural failure. You can fill with gel coat after sanding the cracks out.

You can use auto paint and spray paint it rather than using gel coat.

If you don't care how it looks when your done, then bondo the holes, and paint, even with a roller if you want.

All depends on what your expectations are.

 

[Travel Light]

You may be able to find that cap piece at Recpro or other sites that sell transition strips and caps. On the fiberglass roof, on a camper that old, I would use Eternabond tape after cleaning up the area well and using the prep spray they sell. I would not seal the finer cracks but clean the area up and perhaps use one of the fiberglass coatings several companies sell. Paint really. Or use Henry's Tropicool on it.

Thank you for this information. I will search for those products you have mentioned, this is a great help.

 

[Travel Light]

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The trim cap can be found but you may need to look.

A small can of polyester resin filler and some fiberglass fiber will take care of the holes,but will require some work to Fair it out.

The spidering I more of a gel coat issue,than a structural failure. You can fill with gel coat after sanding the cracks out.

You can use auto paint and spray paint it rather than using gel coat.

If you don't care how it looks when your done, then bondo the holes, and paint, even with a roller if you want.

All depends on what your expectations are.

Hi Kevin, thank you for the advice. It sounds like there are a few options. Good to know re: the spider cracks, that they can be sanded. I want it to look decent when finished, but of course the repair is the main priority.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

My questions were more to understand if you wanted to restore or just make water tight. Just because fiberglass on RVs is very thin, doesn't change processes. Just because something is old doesn't mean it should be discarded.

It takes a special person to find pride in what they hold, rather than the mentality that only finds value in how many dollars they flash.

Feel free to PM me if you decide restoration will be your path.

 

[HighwayNomad]

Just saw this - perhaps it'll help

How to Fix Faded RV Exterior: Restore White Gelcoat

How to Fix Faded RV Exterior: chalky white gelcoat is one of the most common complaints among owners of older

rvjournal.org