Repairing cracked A-frame cover / fairing

[Andygee70]

This is my second thread after introductions so hi to anyone visiting this page.

My newly acquired caravan is a 2012 Sterling Eccles Sport 586 and although in a generally good condition the A-frame cover was a little worse for wear including missing bits of plastic. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on repairs and came across a repair method that uses the mesh of a frying spatter guard cut to size and tacked to the plastic cover underneath using a soldering iron before filling in, sanding and painting etc.

I can’t remember where I saw the thread on this but the guy swore by this method even when filling in big gaps not just cracks.

I’ve started the process and done part 1 which was to remove the cover - quite tricky - before cleaning it up and then proceeding with part two this afternoon. So all the tacking has been done on the cracks and missing plastic bit. I’ve attached photos and will update as I go along. Hopefully it will be a success and maybe useful to others with a similar issue.

 

[otherclive]

I used fibrefix for strength to the repair and Plas Aid for a strong bonding cosmetic finish to the upper surface.

Plas Aid
Fibrefix

 

[Andygee70]

So many products on the market Clive, hard to know which to use.

I’ve got the filler coming tomorrow so once ‘filled’ and cured I’ll be on sanding duty.

 

[Jcloughie]

Looks really good work. Be great to see the finished job.

John

 

[Andygee70]

Looks really good work. Be great to see the finished job.

John

Let’s cross everything and hope 😳😂

 

[toad a caravan]

Using bridging filler(glass fibre strands in glass fibre resin) on the inside of the moulding would increase its strength, rigidity and resilience to further cracking,on the outside I would use a fine filler,sanded down with 3M wet and dry abrasive paper starting with 320 grade,then 600 grade,then1000's.Sanding blocks are available that hold the paper in place,a final few coats of primer followed by top coats,if you can find a auto paint supplies shop they should stock all of the above and by taking your cover with you when it's done may be able to colour match it and make you an aerosol can spray.If so I'd get two....Good luck Gary

 

[Andygee70]

Using bridging filler(glass fibre strands in glass fibre resin) on the inside of the moulding would increase its strength, rigidity and resilience to further cracking,on the outside I would use a fine filler,sanded down with 3M wet and dry abrasive paper starting with 320 grade,then 600 grade,then1000's.Sanding blocks are available that hold the paper in place,a final few coats of primer followed by top coats,if you can find a auto paint supplies shop they should stock all of the above and by taking your cover with you when it's done may be able to colour match it and make you an aerosol can spray.If so I'd get two....Good luck Gary

Thank you for the advice Gary. The bridging filler, do you have an example of it?

 

[toad a caravan]

Try looking up "UPOL" fillers on line.I highly recommend their products..Keep up the postings.....just in case you don't know 3M is a premium brand for wet and dry sandpaper,

 

[Andygee70]

Try looking up "UPOL" fillers on line.I highly recommend their products..Keep up the postings.....just in case you don't know 3M is a premium brand for wet and dry sandpaper,

Thank you 👍

 

[otherclive]

Using bridging filler(glass fibre strands in glass fibre resin) on the inside of the moulding would increase its strength, rigidity and resilience to further cracking,on the outside I would use a fine filler,sanded down with 3M wet and dry abrasive paper starting with 320 grade,then 600 grade,then1000's.Sanding blocks are available that hold the paper in place,a final few coats of primer followed by top coats,if you can find a auto paint supplies shop they should stock all of the above and by taking your cover with you when it's done may be able to colour match it and make you an aerosol can spray.If so I'd get two....Good luck Gary

That is one area that I used Fibrefix.

 

[Andygee70]

That is one area that I used Fibrefix.

👍

 

[Mel]

This is a a brilliant thread. It will really help others. Keep going with the photos and good luck with the project.
Mel

 

[Andygee70]

This is a a brilliant thread. It will really help others. Keep going with the photos and good luck with the project.
Mel

Thank Mel, hope it works out 🤞

 

[otherclive]

Using bridging filler(glass fibre strands in glass fibre resin) on the inside of the moulding would increase its strength, rigidity and resilience to further cracking,on the outside I would use a fine filler,sanded down with 3M wet and dry abrasive paper starting with 320 grade,then 600 grade,then1000's.Sanding blocks are available that hold the paper in place,a final few coats of primer followed by top coats,if you can find a auto paint supplies shop they should stock all of the above and by taking your cover with you when it's done may be able to colour match it and make you an aerosol can spray.If so I'd get two....Good luck Gary

FIAT 129 is a commonly used paint colour on “white’ Swift group caravans. That is what I used on my A frame fairing. But a professional paint shop would do a colour match which would allow for ageing changes.


Edit it should be FIAT 249 for a good match with Swift “white”.

 

[Andygee70]

FIAT 129 is a commonly used paint colour on “white’ Swift group caravans. That is what I used on my A frame fairing. But a professional paint shop would do a colour match which would allow for ageing changes.

I’m going to spray the whole fairing for consistency. I think I read that the Swifts are usually Fiat White 249, or have I got that wrong? 🤔

 

[otherclive]

I’m going to spray the whole fairing for consistency. I think I read that the Swifts are usually Fiat White 249, or have I got that wrong? 🤔

Oops apologies, clearly a senior moment. It was FIAT 249 on mine. . The 129 is Rosso a nice red which might have been used on some Swift Group caravans.

 

[toad a caravan]

If you was to get the exact paint as swift used it doesn't mean it would match due to the effects of sunlight and the environment on your moulding,if however you take it to an autopaint supplier they can match the paint to match your "shade" of moulding,then I wouldn't stand out. vehicle finishing is an art form,for instance they add blue to white paint to make it brighter 🙂

 

[toad a caravan]

OC,,Nice on a mk 1 ford cabriolet too 👍