Anyone done this repair?

[Welsh geordie]

Good morning funsters,
I have some wood rot around the wheel arch on my 2005 Lunar Roadstar 786. Any advice would be appreciated -Broken Link Removed-

 

[MisterB]

Doesn't look so bad that you couldn't attempt a repair yourself, or is it more extensive than it looks?

 

[Welsh geordie]

Morning,
I am doing it myself. Just after advice. What plywood is best? How do I seal it? What adhesive do I use to

 

[Welsh geordie]

What adhesive do I use to replace the panel? Maybe someone out there has done this repair before .

 

[ChrisL]

I would use marine ply and Sikaflex 292i marine adhesive, but I haven't done much of this kind of work for many years, someone with more current experience may be able to advise.

Edit: if you do use 292i make sure you read the notes on how to apply and use the activator and primer.

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[Welsh geordie]

Thank you ChrisL l have some marine ply in the shed. Uncle Google also recommended sikaflex 522.

 

[Dollysjg]

Hi As an ex boatbuilder I would tend to agree with Chris l remove all rotten and glue and screw new marine ply
Good luck

 

[ChrisL]

Thank you ChrisL l have some marine ply in the shed. Uncle Google also recommended sikaflex 522.

292i has a stronger tensile strength at 2Mpa v 1.8 for 522 but I expect 522 will do the job.

 

[Welsh geordie]

Thank you for the replies.
Has anyone used W4 mastic sealing strip to put a panel back on a MH

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Hi As an ex boatbuilder I would tend to agree with Chris l remove all rotten and glue and screw new marine ply
Good luck

What about any final treatments to the wood surfaces and edges before and after fitting to chassis?

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[ChrisL]

Thank you for the replies.
Has anyone used W4 mastic sealing strip to put a panel back on a MH

Not mastic tapes but 3M make some really good double sided adhesive tape that can be used instead of screws, I used some on some quite heavy wood trim inside my van which kept falling off and it hasn't moved since.

 

[ChrisL]

What about any final treatments to the wood surfaces and edges before and after fitting to chassis?

Applying epoxy resin might help keep the moisture out.

 

[Gromett]

Applying epoxy resin might help keep the moisture out.

Was going to say that. I would epoxy the panels on all sides/surfaces before fitting.

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Applying epoxy resin might help

Was going to say that. I would epoxy the panels on all sides/surfaces before fitting.

Would be interesting what Dollysjg would recommend from his experiences with boats

 

[Dollysjg]

marine ply shoulnt need sealing but a simple pva coating should be sufficient in my view
Again good luck

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[Mzracer]

marine ply shoulnt need sealing but a simple pva coating should be sufficient in my view
Again good luck

Marine ply is not impervious to water by any stretch of the imagination and PVA will do little better to improve that in that environment of a MH wheel arch.

What the OP needs in that environment is an epoxy resin and the product called West 105 with either their 205 or 206 hardener is absolutely the best bet, it will soak into the wood and have a super high water resistance.

Take a look on the projects page in the link below and you will see that the product is multi purpose, the West epoxy is widely sold in the UK, probably get it on Ebay.

Projects | WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

Explore the projects you’re interested in, from techniques and materials to boat construction and repairs.

www.westsystem.com

I am shocked at the construction though but that is another story.

 

[Puddleduck]

Would using something similar to this on the new wood help seal everything?

No Nonsense Water Repellent Seal Clear 5Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. High performance waterproof treatment for exterior porous surfaces. Repels water on wood, brick, concrete, paving, asbestos and cement. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Mzracer]

Would using something similar to this on the new wood help seal everything?


Amazon product ASIN B017J2V1IG

My belief based upon a few decades of working with the West system is that it will do everything and more than the Rustin product. the West will really bind flaking bits of wood back together and water proof at the same time.

Ideally completely new wood though, including that vertical batten behind the rotted out plywood.

 

[Welsh geordie]

292i has a stronger tensile strength at 2Mpa v 1.8 for 522 but Iexpect 522 will do the job.

Thank you everyone for your advice. Im very grateful. Looking in the ‘shed’ I’ve found a tin of Ronseal wood hardener. I’m going to use this on the marine ply before fixing to the MH

 

[rosalan]

On my previous Dethleffs motorhome, the rear panels that were exposed to water a road dirt were attached by heavy duty Velcro rather than glue.

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[Welsh geordie]

at last finished both sides. Putting the panels back was much easier than taking them off.