Cracks Developing in Fiberglass

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hi: i can't see the picture.

ColoCamper wrote:
Thanks Dennis. You are right, of course, a picture can tell all!

Could always put a sticker of some type over it. I understand many don't like stickers as once you start hard to stop then it's covered. I am in that camp myself.

At my age, I have 'stress cracks' as well....

They're cosmetic stress cracks in the gelcoat.

Fiberglass is flexible, gelcoat not so much, so if that area suffers some bending you get stress cracks. It's probably not something you did. Of course you can get stress cracks via impact but that's usually a round or star pattern. Gelcoat itself has no structural strength; it just provides a smooth waterproof surface.

It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the fiberglass itself; it just means you drive down the road occasionally.

The solution is to sand it out and paint on some gelcoat or get it smooth and repaint. Stress cracks are likely to return.

Thanks Dennis. You are right, of course, a picture can tell all!

John, a picture is worth a thousand words. Posting a picture is easy as:

1. Click HERE
2. Press Ctrl D to save link for future use.
3. Drag or Select your photo into the box.
4. Cut and paste your "link" into your post. Nothing further needed.

Pretty easy, thanks to one of our mods.....Dennis

Or you could sand them out and Gel Coat them yourself. See if they come back then. After owning boats and TTs I have found that Gel Coat. Spider cracks are just that. Practice on a piece like the window awning.
http://www.diy-fiberglass-boat-repair.com/spider-cracks.html

ColoCamper wrote:
Thank you for your interest and comments my issue – The color of the area of concern is light, golden beige. As we have owned the coach since day one, I know I have never backed into anything, or otherwise cause anything to impact the area in such a way that it would create the “stress cracking”. As mentioned in my OP, I washed the coach in October, prior to coming to Arizona and they were not present then. I am very particular as to the cosmetic of the coach, as I’m certain you all are, so I typically do a rather comprehensive inspection, looking for damage, paint chipping and other bodywork blemishes. Just a though, the wife seems to think it is sun related, however we are located in the same spot/position we have been at for the past five years.

I did take some pictures to post that show some of the cracks developing. But many just did not show up very well. I am not certain how to post photos here - possibly link to "Dropbox"?

Again, thanks for taking the time to help me understand what is happening to our coach.

John

Hey John,
If your coach is the one in your sig, it's a year older than ours, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT. At first, I thought you might be talking about the infamous "Crazing" that happens to many coaches in our era. But, by your description, that is, 3" long cracks, that's not crazing. And, since you've owned this coach since Day one, I'm suspecting your issue(s) are primarily stress cracks. Fiberglass is only so strong. It can take abuse for quite some time before it finally starts to say "enough".

I've seen this on a few coaches in our era and, also seen stress cracks on many boats too. Pounding on wakes from other boats and, wind driven chop, also takes its toll on boat fiberglass.

So, what's the answer, not a clue. Can those cracks be mended, well, you'd have to talk with a motor home fiberglass specialist to get a proper and accurate answer. THEY are the ones that fix that stuff and know what and how to potentially remedy them so they don't come back. Good luck.
Scott

Thank you for your interest and comments my issue – The color of the area of concern is light, golden beige. As we have owned the coach since day one, I know I have never backed into anything, or otherwise cause anything to impact the area in such a way that it would create the “stress cracking”. As mentioned in my OP, I washed the coach in October, prior to coming to Arizona and they were not present then. I am very particular as to the cosmetic of the coach, as I’m certain you all are, so I typically do a rather comprehensive inspection, looking for damage, paint chipping and other bodywork blemishes. Just a though, the wife seems to think it is sun related, however we are located in the same spot/position we have been at for the past five years.

I did take some pictures to post that show some of the cracks developing. But many just did not show up very well. I am not certain how to post photos here - possibly link to "Dropbox"?

Again, thanks for taking the time to help me understand what is happening to our coach.

John