The nose cap filon on my 2006 Lance 951 started delaminating a year or two ago, some of it may have been due to bad caulking on a marker light but some is separate from it and I think it's just a result of old glue and heat from sitting in the sun for 17 years, but it has progressively gotten worse and is very unsightly. I've removed some of the trim to inspect it and while the sidewalls are laminated to plywood the nose has a hardboard/fiberboard backing that is less than an 1/8" thick and appears to be curfed on the back in the areas where it bends around the curves of the nose. I would need to remove both the filon and backing to do the job right, I can buy some filon and 3M 1357 and have plenty of experience laminating but have no idea where to get such a backing. The rest of the camper is in perfect condition, other than the faded & cracked decals, so I would like to keep using it and fix the nose, so I'm looking for thoughts on how to fix it with filon or maybe something other material. I wished it was as simple as replacing the old aluminum siding. Thanks for any ideas.

Have you thought about a Lance molded front cap instead of filon? I don’t know if it is possible to buy one from them and install yourself, but if not, it seems like you could build your own out of fiberglass or have it done.There are a few different threads on working with filon here, but you might have to search the archives or do an internet search with site”colon”rv.net in search string to find them.

Did you check Lance forum? They have several rebuild pictorials available.Applying new filon require some jigs to apply even pressure, what is not easy for DIY. I repaired nose on my camper by pulling the siding out, replacing rotten wood, adding Styrofoam where fiberglass was used and gluing it back. It did not make it perfect cosmetically, but better frame that original.

jimh425 wrote:Have you thought about a Lance molded front cap instead of filon? I don’t know if it is possible to buy one from them and install yourself, but if not, it seems like you could build your own out of fiberglass or have it done.There are a few different threads on working with filon here, but you might have to search the archives or do an internet search with site”colon”rv.net in search string to find them.That would be great to just attach one of those caps, don't think I haven't thought about it, but I figured Lance probably wouldn't sell one and I doubt it would fit anyway. I have no idea how to build one or where to have one built, probably not a lot of people out there making things like that.

Kayteg1 wrote:Did you check Lance forum? They have several rebuild pictorials available.Applying new filon require some jigs to apply even pressure, what is not easy for DIY. I repaired nose on my camper by pulling the siding out, replacing rotten wood, adding Styrofoam where fiberglass was used and gluing it back. It did not make it perfect cosmetically, but better frame that original.I'll check it out. I think I could do it, my immediate problem is the backing for the filon. I thought about curfing the back of some 1/8" masonite but that sounds difficult.

On front big curve the filon has no backing. Just 4 or 5 ribs.

Thoughts on Lance Nose Cap Filon Replacement | Good Sam Community

MLD
Explorer
Sep 03, 2021
Ok, I have some 3M 1357 to bond the filon to the hardboard backer, does anyone know what I should use to bond the hardboard to the aluminum framing. The original beads of adhesive were white and flexible and seemed to adhere very well. It would have to stand up to high temperatures obviously. Any ideas?
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 02, 2021
MLD wrote:
Bedlam wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.

My 2012 Arctic Fox came with this on the leading and trailing curves as an option.

Did it have filon between the two curved sections?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 02, 2021
MLD wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.

I’ve thought about that too, I do think it would look good. Do you know what size sheets are available? The piece of filon I’m replacing is 96” x 66”.

Oh, 4’ wide I think is the widest. So 4’x10’ max.
MLD
Explorer
Sep 01, 2021
Bedlam wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.

My 2012 Arctic Fox came with this on the leading and trailing curves as an option.

Did it have filon between the two curved sections?
MLD
Explorer
Sep 01, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.

I’ve thought about that too, I do think it would look good. Do you know what size sheets are available? The piece of filon I’m replacing is 96” x 66”.
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 01, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.

My 2012 Arctic Fox came with this on the leading and trailing curves as an option.
MLD
Explorer
Sep 01, 2021
phillyg wrote:
Use 1/8" luan plywood, kerfing on the backside as needed.

I will look for some, that would be a better option than the hardboard.

I thought I was spelling kerf wrong but didn't bother to look up the right way. Thanks.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 01, 2021
In lieu of filon, I’ve considered light gauge diamond plate sheeting.
Fairly inexpensive and would look good I think.
phillyg
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2021
Use 1/8" luan plywood, kerfing on the backside as needed.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2021
On front big curve the filon has no backing. Just 4 or 5 ribs.

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