Crack Top Shower Wall in Lance

[Christl]

Hi Folks: Has anyone had to fix a crack in the shower wall of their Lance 1181. The crack runs roughly horizontal to the left from the screws holding the center shower rod counter-clockwise toward the corner. The crack has not gotten any bigger over the years nor progressed but I want to fix it so it does not progress any further. It is high enough up that water does not reach it. I do not know how it happened, possibly overloading the shower rod or someone grabbing it to prevent a fall? See picture. There must be some type of clear glue that is compatible with the material the shower is made of to achieve this? Any ideas would be appreciated. cheers

[sleepy]

billtex wrote:
sleepy...I doubt it is PVC as PVC is extruded or injection molded. It is likely fiberglass so a boat shop is a great idea.

His sig says they own a Palomino...so not sure what they have...

A good glass shop could fix/hide that crack no problem.

Bill

you are absolutely correct...

... I have apparently been breathing toooo many PVC dope fumes...

[Christl]

Christl wrote:

Super_Dave wrote:
Christi,
Since the crack isn't starting at the rod connection point, it looks more like an impact fracture to me. I'm also guessing that there isn't a lot of solid backing to that shower enclosure.

Hi Super-Dave: I should have been more specific in describing the picture. The crack runs from the chrome screw hole holding the chrome rod right over tight to the corner but not past it. I had to apply a little pressure to even have the crack show up in the picture at all. I can't remember if the crack starts from the right or left screw holding the shower rod but it is about a foot long. cheers christl

For some reason my memory tells me it runs from the right screw holding the shower rod and progresses under the rod to the left toward the corner.

[Christl]

Super_Dave wrote:
Christi,
Since the crack isn't starting at the rod connection point, it looks more like an impact fracture to me. I'm also guessing that there isn't a lot of solid backing to that shower enclosure.

Hi Super-Dave: I should have been more specific in describing the picture. The crack runs from the chrome screw hole holding the chrome rod right over tight to the corner but not past it. I had to apply a little pressure to even have the crack show up in the picture at all. I can't remember if the crack starts from the right or left screw holding the shower rod but it is about a foot long. cheers christl

[Super_Dave]

Christi,
Since the crack isn't starting at the rod connection point, it looks more like an impact fracture to me. I'm also guessing that there isn't a lot of solid backing to that shower enclosure.

[Christl]

kerry4951 wrote:
Eternabond would give you a good seal but obviously it would not be invisible or unnoticeable. Have you ever thought of maybe covering it with something that could be used in the shower?
I installed a set of SimpleHuman liquid soap dispensers that were fastened on the shower wall with the sealant that they provide with the kit. Its been in there now for over 5 years and still holding strong. Atleast something like that would cover up the crack. And you know it is...out of sight...out of mind.

kerry4951 - not such a bad idea, if Eternabond came up with a nice floral border version that would be peachy/the cats-ass. I may be able to find a very flexable sheet of something to just glue it on - something like heavy mack-tack. cheers for comments gave me some ideas.

[Christl]

HI Folks: I am just curious now thinking about that shower wall crack and where it is (starting from a chrome shower wall drying rod hanger in the middle of the shower high up), did Lance 1181 campers come with a drying rod high up in the middle of the shower or was this an add-on by a pervious owner who created a stress point by not drilling a big enough screw hole for the two screws to hold the shower rod? (figuring out cause of crack maybe important in solution) cheers

[Christl]

billtex wrote:
sleepy...I doubt it is PVC as PVC is extruded or injection molded. It is likely fiberglass so a boat shop is a great idea.

His sig says they own a Palomino...so not sure what they have...

A good glass shop could fix/hide that crack no problem.

Bill

Hi billtex: your right, the camper is a Lance I am looking to purchase and these are some of the issues. I guess it would be best to check with Lance to confirm the material and if it is fiberglass a boat or auto body shop specializing in fiberglass repair would be a good bet. Something cautions me to not ever let the crack get around the corner or it may progress further in any direction. Following sleey's comment above - the crack is so high up close to the top of the shower wall that it would have to be part of a accent border feature to look right. thanks for the help/comments. cheers

[billtex]

sleepy...I doubt it is PVC as PVC is extruded or injection molded. It is likely fiberglass so a boat shop is a great idea.

His sig says they own a Palomino...so not sure what they have...

A good glass shop could fix/hide that crack no problem.

Bill

[kerry4951]

Eternabond would give you a good seal but obviously it would not be invisible or unnoticeable. Have you ever thought of maybe covering it with something that could be used in the shower?
I installed a set of SimpleHuman liquid soap dispensers that were fastened on the shower wall with the sealant that they provide with the kit. Its been in there now for over 5 years and still holding strong. Atleast something like that would cover up the crack. And you know it is...out of sight...out of mind.

[sleepy]

I think that you will find that it is made of PVC.

PVC pipe glue will disolve a thin layer but unless you opened the crack it wouldn't be a good way to repair it.

If you could get to the back side you could glue a patch using more PVC material.

Personally I'd take it to a boat yard and ask their opinion.... and probably let them repatr it if possible.... they do PVC repairs everyday.

And... if it has been that way for a long time I'd probably just continue to watch it, a repair from the shower side will be ugly unles you glued something made of PVC that has a function (like a soap dish) right over the crack.

Question... how old is the camper?

I have found that the pthlates slowly evaporate from PVC over time.... like 10 years then it breaks... sunlight or heat accelerate the pthlate loss. (pthlates are the chemical that makes PVC flexable... the new car smell)

Good luck

Chet