Forum Discussion

ROADKING1999's avatar
ROADKING1999
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014

DELAM

MY INTERIOR ON MY 89 CHIEFTON IS SPOTLESS-HOWEVER I HAVE 2 DELAM SPOTS ON THE RIDERS SIDE ALONG THR AREA WHERE AWNING LEGGS CONNECT--IT WEEMS AS IF THE PLYWOOW IS ROTTING OR IS DRY ROTTED-HOW CAN I FIX THIS FROM THE OUTSIDE-THE AREAS ARE APPROX THE SAME 14X24
  • Doubtful that it can be repaired from the outside if you want to reattach the sides with adhesive. You may be able to find the frame members and attach the delaminated sidewall to the frame with rivets. A lot will depend on if water caused the delamination and if the interior walls were damaged.
  • Type "delamination" in the Search box and you will get dozens of hits on this oft discussed topic. Same with Google. Type "RV delamination"

    No quick and easy fix, I' m afraid.
  • Please turn off your cap lock. It's considered yelling/rude.
    Good luck.
  • Most RV sides are put into place by adhesive. Normally it is a Styrofoam wall between the studs.

    Crane Composite is the largest supplier of material for siding. They have one product which is luann wood backing over composite Filon material. If water gets behind the wood will rot sooner or later.

    They have a repair process, which involves either cutting out the whole section or grinding out the area if it is the size of a quarter.
    I would go to that site and search under the support side.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    From your OP it sounds like water getting in through the screw holes. If you want to try to fix it from the outside I would remove the awning arms and probe the area underneath to see if just the screw holes (area around the screws) are rotted or if it extends into the delam area. If the rotted area is small less than 4in x 4in, you can fix this area with a mass casting resin such as Epocast or even Bondo. If you do a search on Gjac and delamination you will see the details of how to fix it. After the delamination is rebonded I would fix the rotted area by filling an empty tube of caulking with the mass casting resin and shooting it into one of the holes of the awning screw while blocking the other 3 holes. This repair is not for the faint of heart but if you are not afraid of a lot of work and mess you may be happy with the repair. Good Luck.
  • Check the link below, and follow the additional link for an excellent description of a major repair on the sidewall of a motorhome. His repair may not work for you, but at least you will see the steps involved and it may help you adapt to your repair situation. He has posted a lot of pictures along with step by step instructions.

    delam repair from irv2 forum

    Fred