gi_jimbo
Member
Wow. I thought working with bondo would be like working with drywall mud. It's way thicker, has an absurdly short work life and doesn't smooth over holes nearly as nice.
Coleman popup ABS roof repair on a 2000 Westlake
- Thread starter Kdague
- Start date
I wish I had never started the MEK goo thing, where u drill holes and then make a small grove and fill it. I spent more time back filling with bondo after I did all that. If I would have just started with tearing off the old ABS and giving it a quick sand there would still have been some bondo. But about 2 out of the 3 cans I used, less. My GG roof is still holding up good though, going on almost 2 winters and a summer now.
gi_jimbo
Member
I repaired my Coleman camper roof by taking the ABS shell off and coating it with Grizzly Grip. The finish was great but unfortunately my camper top didn't have a fiberglass layer, just the foam. We got some moderate hail and it punched a bunch of holes/divots in the foam top, breaking the the Grizzly Grip seal in a lot of places. The roof now looks like a giant block of swiss cheese. Please note, I'm not blaming the Grizzly Grip for this at all, it was definitely the lack of a fiberglass layer.
To repair it, I intend to fill all the holes with Gorilla Glue using painter's tape to get a flush finish (a tip I found here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1699300-Gorilla-glue-for-foam-plane). Then I plan to re-coat the whole top again with more Grizzly Grip. My question is, what preparation steps should I take on the existing layer of Grizzly Grip before re-coating it? Do I need to sand it? I wasn't sure since it's a rubberized coating. Should I wipe it down with acetone? I know some rubbers and plastics react poorly to acetone. Should I use alcohol instead? Since there are now exposed areas of foam, I don't want to spray it down or wash it with soap and water for fear of introducing moisture that will get trapped. Or should I not be concerned about washing it with water and soap?
Also, the first time, I used the 4x6 kit which was enough for 2 coats. Do you think another application with a 4x6 kit will be enough to prevent damage if it were hit by another moderate hail storm? Would it make any difference if bought a 4x8 kit and applied more coats or would the same damage likely be inevitable either way?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
As I post this, I also realize I had promised some pictures... I'll try to post them tonight.
To repair it, I intend to fill all the holes with Gorilla Glue using painter's tape to get a flush finish (a tip I found here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1699300-Gorilla-glue-for-foam-plane). Then I plan to re-coat the whole top again with more Grizzly Grip. My question is, what preparation steps should I take on the existing layer of Grizzly Grip before re-coating it? Do I need to sand it? I wasn't sure since it's a rubberized coating. Should I wipe it down with acetone? I know some rubbers and plastics react poorly to acetone. Should I use alcohol instead? Since there are now exposed areas of foam, I don't want to spray it down or wash it with soap and water for fear of introducing moisture that will get trapped. Or should I not be concerned about washing it with water and soap?
Also, the first time, I used the 4x6 kit which was enough for 2 coats. Do you think another application with a 4x6 kit will be enough to prevent damage if it were hit by another moderate hail storm? Would it make any difference if bought a 4x8 kit and applied more coats or would the same damage likely be inevitable either way?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
As I post this, I also realize I had promised some pictures... I'll try to post them tonight.
I think I would just fill holes with bondo and then do a lite sand to make it smooth and even. I believe it would be a more solid surface, with less expanding and contracting with diff. Weather temps. It would go faster without having to use tape and just fill holes with a putty knife like u would fill holes in drywall when mudding. Just have to do it in small batches because bondo hardens fast. Definitely try and clean it really well before u start and then wipe it down multiple times before u apply GG. I’m assuming moderate hail means about golf ball size. I’ve had nickel size hail on mine and not shown any signs of dents yet. My GG application hardened up really well. But I’m pretty sure mine had fiberglass mixed in with the foam. But I do know before I applied GG the foam would dent because I put a knee imprint in it that I had to fill with bondo Before the GG coat went on. I would also contact GG and ask them how to apply over top of previously applied GG. I think there were instructions in with the kit I got but I no longer have any of that so I’m not 100% on that. Unfortunately Hail is hard on everything. If it did that to your camper I would bet u have a new roof on your house coming( if u own it that is) and probably car damage too. Hope this helps.
