Delamination repair

dlwilliams48 · 06-24-2016, 02:02 PM

Well, I have decided to bite the bullet and have the front panel, etc. replaced on my Sunset Trail. I've found a place a couple of hours away that appear to be able to do the job. From phone conversations, I can pay for the parts up front and once they have come in and are inspected to make sure everything is OK, I will take the trailer to them. Said it would take about a week, but some of the time would be to allow any moisture that is trapped to dry. Hoping for the best.

**Lloyd** · 06-24-2016, 07:42 PM

Good luck with the repair. Keep us posted.

**Lloyd** · 06-26-2016, 11:17 AM

I don't if you seen this or not, but it has some interesting reading.
The Ins and Outs of RV Delamination Disasters - RV Life

dlwilliams48 · 06-26-2016, 08:49 PM

Thanks Lloyd. Yep, I've read many like that one when trying to figure out what to do. And I've noticed several campers with that problem too. I'm hoping that mine will come back "good as new", or at least as close to it as it can be.

dlwilliams48 · 07-08-2016, 07:50 AM

I've gotten a couple of estimates on the repair, and they are vastly different in cost. However, I feel a little more confident that the higher priced estimate is probably more accurate for the work required.

One thing I am concerned about is if I replace the current brown panel with another just like it (which has faded badly), I may be faced with fading on the new panel in a year or two. I was told that there is a champagne color panel that will work on my unit, but I don't know how that would work with the current color scheme. Also considering having the shop go ahead a paint the doggone panel before they install and apply the new decals. That would add to the cost but may save me time and money in the future.

Steve7 · 07-08-2016, 05:08 PM

I don't know what the champagne color looks like, but the newer ones like I have have the lighter color which I believe looks good and should look good on yours. I think it would still match main body color, but not sure on yours.

dlwilliams48 · 07-10-2016, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve7

I don't know what the champagne color looks like, but the newer ones like I have have the lighter color which I believe looks good and should look good on yours. I think it would still match main body color, but not sure on yours.

Well, looks like my three options at this point are (1) Have the original brown cap from CR put on and hope for the best (2) Order the champagne color and if it looks OK have it put on, if not, have it painted to match, or (3) have the shop build a new panel from "scratch" and paint it to match. Option 3 would likely be the more expensive route though. I'm leaning toward option 2, especially since the champagne is slightly less in cost.

Sure would be nice if I could get someone at CR to advise about using the champagne color on my trailer (as to how it would look, etc.), but I have not had much luck with getting any kind of info in the past, so I won't even try.

DerwoodF350 · 07-13-2016, 01:59 AM

I was told by a custom boat builder/body man that the front caps are a gel coat and you should be able to cut polish the oxidization out then either put a good glaze/wax on or have someone scuff the cap with 600 grit wet-sand then shoot a clear on it and done. The clear will have UV protect ant in it and prevent future fading.

He has recommended to me to try the glaze and see how well it works. I have successfully removed the oxidization with 3M compound and a yellow buff pad, my brown cap looks new, I coated it with good glaze polish. Looks beauty!!

Just re-read your post sounds like you have leaks so I guess you have to replace cap.... Maybe just get them to shoot a clear on your new cap, done doesn't matter what color you get.

dlwilliams48 · 07-13-2016, 05:21 AM

That sound like a good plan to follow once I get it back. But yes, the front cap definitely needs replacing. Leaks have been stopped, but the damage was done.

**mark5w** · 07-13-2016, 10:20 AM

This is a product that restores the finish of gel coat. And then protects it.
Products To Restore and Protect Oxidized Surfaces

DerwoodF350 · 07-13-2016, 03:03 PM

I should add that I used the 3m cut polish for marine/gel coat use then went with a fine cut polish and fine pad to remove swirls then used Klasse high gloss sealant glaze. This is for people that don't have to replace the cap.
Caution!
Be careful with a buffer, it can burn through the gel coat if not used properly! If you don't know how to cut polish then pay a pro to do it.

If it re-oxidizes soon I will just clear coat it next year, we'll see how the glaze works. Once a year application i'm OK with if it works well.

dlwilliams48 · 07-19-2016, 08:03 AM

Finally have a service appointment to leave my trailer to get the front cap replaced. We'll take it over Thursday morning, and they will probably have it about 3 weeks (some of that time will be waiting for the parts to arrive). We will probably check out a Forest River that they have on the lot while we are there. A couple of feet longer than ours, but the floor plan is almost identical. A couple of things I like is that you can walk on the roof, and the black water tank is a bit larger. We aren't really seriously considering purchasing a new unit, but I am curious about this one. May as well look while we are there.

**Lloyd** · 07-19-2016, 09:34 AM

[QUOTE=dlwilliams48;115481 We will probably check out a Forest River that they have on the lot while we are there. A couple of feet longer than ours, but the floor plan is almost identical. A couple of things I like is that you can walk on the roof, and the black water tank is a bit larger. We aren't really seriously considering purchasing a new unit, but I am curious about this one. May as well look while we are there.

[/QUOTE]

Oh, oh. I smell a wallet that is going to be lightened.

OhioMark · 07-20-2016, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark5w

This is a product that restores the finish of gel coat. And then protects it.
Products To Restore and Protect Oxidized Surfaces

Mark, I'm looking at the Vivilon link you posted... The hand apply solution would be perfect for fellow Crossroads owners with cap fade out of warranty but...Holy Moly, this stuff is expensive...$300/quart. You know anyone that has used it and what the results were?

**mark5w** · 07-20-2016, 11:07 AM

The product was recommended by my son who was an auto body tech. He use the product when he was out in Houston getting trained. Said it did a pretty good job. Don't know of anyone who actually used it, but It seems like a cheaper way to go then paying for a full cap paint job. The prices I heard for the paint job ranged from $1000 to $2000.

dlwilliams48 · 07-21-2016, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Oh, oh. I smell a wallet that is going to be lightened.

Yep. We pick up our new Forest River unit next Thursday.

woodwalker · 07-22-2016, 08:50 AM

Congrats on your new trailer. That's exactly why I stay away from RV Dealerships

**Lloyd** · 07-22-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodwalker

Congrats on your new trailer. That's exactly why I stay away from RV Dealerships

Yup, me to.

Congratulation on the new rig Don. I hope it serves you well.

**mark5w** · 07-22-2016, 10:52 AM

Lloyd, if you gather enough members here, maybe we could raise your storage barn to fit a new 5th wheel in. How many guys do you need to lift it up?

dlwilliams48 · 05-19-2017, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Congratulation on the new rig Don. I hope it serves you well.

So far it has. Sometimes I miss the CR trailer, but I like the fact that I can walk on the roof of the Forest River, and I like the slide mechanism better on the FR. We just got back from a little over a week trip up into Ontario, and the rig did fine. We had electricity but had to use the fresh water tank and water pump. Rain the first couple of days but after that the weather was fine. I'm leaving tomorrow for an extended camping trip to Texas. Well, actually it is a music festival and I'll just use the trailer for sleeping. I will have electricity and water though. Always a fun time out there.

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