Fiberglass questions
Hello everyone! In my search for a new van, I am thinking of getting one with a high fiberglass top. Or having a top (used or new) put onto a van. I'm reading up on restoring fiberglass and hav...
Forum Discussion
My fiberglass roof is a 'tv' top conversion van roof. In the back 2/3, it has ~ 3/32" of fiberglass on the top surface, then ~ 3/8" of foam, then another 3/32" of fiberglass..
Below this they used 4 inch wide strips, 5 of them, about 9 inches apart of OSB particle board and glassed than in with 3/32 more fiberglass.
These OSB strips hold a screw from underneath nicely. I've reinforced the underside/ ceiling with Oak and insulated it with 1/2 inch isocynate foamboard insulation.
The front 1/3 is just 1/4 inch of fiberglass, fiberglass matt, or perhaps just fiberglass sprayed into the mold with a chop gun. No foam, no OSB wood, just the convoulted structure and 1/4 inch of fiberglass to give it some rigidity.
Exactly how these roofs are constructed will vary.
I would NOT walk on ine without plywood up there to spread the load.
The original conversion van maker decided that coarse thread 3/4 inch drywall screws into the sheet metal roof was 'JUST FiNE'
Effing b.stards.
My battle with roof gutter rust is a battle I am destined to lose, but it is a battle i still fight.
Thankfully I can get epoxy to bond to properly prepped steel and aluminum, and have rebuilt parts of the roof gutter.
But this effort is also futile, in the long run.
Those pics look more like dirt rather than massive gel coat cracks. get a ladder and some spray cleaner and have a better look. try and feel for soft spots.
Fiberglass is good stuff, Better than steel for long term durability.
Especially when they use freaking drywall screws and whisper the 'just fine' mantra which apparently soothes the human soul.
Below this they used 4 inch wide strips, 5 of them, about 9 inches apart of OSB particle board and glassed than in with 3/32 more fiberglass.
These OSB strips hold a screw from underneath nicely. I've reinforced the underside/ ceiling with Oak and insulated it with 1/2 inch isocynate foamboard insulation.
The front 1/3 is just 1/4 inch of fiberglass, fiberglass matt, or perhaps just fiberglass sprayed into the mold with a chop gun. No foam, no OSB wood, just the convoulted structure and 1/4 inch of fiberglass to give it some rigidity.
Exactly how these roofs are constructed will vary.
I would NOT walk on ine without plywood up there to spread the load.
The original conversion van maker decided that coarse thread 3/4 inch drywall screws into the sheet metal roof was 'JUST FiNE'
Effing b.stards.
My battle with roof gutter rust is a battle I am destined to lose, but it is a battle i still fight.
Thankfully I can get epoxy to bond to properly prepped steel and aluminum, and have rebuilt parts of the roof gutter.
But this effort is also futile, in the long run.
Those pics look more like dirt rather than massive gel coat cracks. get a ladder and some spray cleaner and have a better look. try and feel for soft spots.
Fiberglass is good stuff, Better than steel for long term durability.
Especially when they use freaking drywall screws and whisper the 'just fine' mantra which apparently soothes the human soul.
