stress fracture

[joner818]

on storing van noticed crack 5mm x 10mm on top of rear panel on roof corner rubbed it then it came off can you tell me as a temp measure what to put in untill it goes for all other jobs to be fixed would a flexable sealent be ok such as kitchen and bathroom?

 

[Robert_374242026]

You can buy Gel coat filler which comes in a tube with hardner. Being on top when you rub it down it will hardly notice. Of course if the van is still in warranty and it was mine i would put some sealer on the edges to stop water creeping under and book it it when ever .Good luck.

 

[joner818]

You can buy Gel coat filler which comes in a tube with hardner. Being on top when you rub it down it will hardly notice. Of course if the van is still in warranty and it was mine i would put some sealer on the edges to stop water creeping under and book it it when ever .Good luck.

it is still under warrenty so its already booked in it was just a measure to stop water creeping in many thanks robert

 

[ValA.]

It's quite interesting how many threads they are, just on this 'visible' page of the forum about cracking of panels. Just this weekend we've noticed cracks in the two corners above our front windows, and two other cracks on the top corners of the bottom rear panel (if that makes sense). There's no damp inside the van on three sites, but there is a small new damp patch on the fourth site.

Given that our van is now 7 years old (Swift) what material would the panels be made from and what's the best repair? For the moment we've just stuck tape over the worst areas at the rear as these are directly in the track of rain running off the roof. We're monitoring the damp patch inside the rear and it is drying out, even with this simple repair, but obviously we need to sort out the problem before it gets any worse. We're just waiting for it to stop raining for long enough!!!!!!

 

[Frank_374237154]

When I bought my first caravan,a Bailey Pageant,my only reservation was the use of vacuum formed ABS panels to form the front and rear ends of the caravan.

I was in the vacuum forming industry for 30 years.The type of plastic used is acrylic capped ABS,which is probably the best all round material to use,however:

These types of plastic will lose impact resistance over their life time due to UV exposure and subsequent degredation.As they get weaker they will be prone to stress fractures due to vibration while towing,and become more liable to damage due to impact.The stress fractures will typically radiate out from machined corners (eg in window apertures) or areas where the plastic is moulded over sharp moulding features eg the edges at top and bottom,or again around the window frame.

In addition this type of plastic can absorb chemicals,such as white spirit,household cleaners etc which will also weaken them.

In older vans the first reason is most likely,while in newer vans the second reason is more likely to cause failure.

I would personally prefer old fashioned fibre glass panels,however these seem to have been universally abandoned by the manufacturers.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Val

On a 7 year old Swift product the fronts and backs will be made from GRP, Glass reinforced plastic

Regards

Kath

 

[ValA.]

Thanks Kath - does that mean that the best repair would be to use one of those 'fibreglass' repair kits that you used to be able to buy to fill rust holes in car wings? These are the sort where you mix resin and hardener in small amounts, fill, and then rub down and paint over. I'm hot on using those as an ex-boyfriend used to tidy up old cars and respray them. I can get a decent finish, too, so if that's the best method I'm sure we can make it look half-way decent, and keep out any wet.

 

[ValA.]

Just to add to my knowledge, what is ABS? I've read about it everywhere, but not sure what the initials stand for.

Thanks.

 

[antrimboy]

ABS;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Val

The fibreglass repair kits will do the trick. Ex boyfriends do have their uses

I can see Eddie has answered you regarding ABS

Regards

Kath

 

[newton_374355356]

Val

The fibreglass repair kits will do the trick. Ex boyfriends do have their uses

I can see Eddie has answered you regarding ABS

Regards

Kath

i dont wnat to know the properties of abs or how many others have the same'hair line fractures' but what i can put onto the crack that will prevent water ingress and will it show????