Body Damage

[Gearhead]

So the Arcadia was purchased last August. This past December I was backing my utility trailer up my steep driveway. The trailer disappeared behind my truck. I backed the trailer into the Arcadia. A small spot under the fifth overhang, down by the battery compartment door. I didn’t punch all the way through…I can’t feel anything on the backside.
Im thinking about filling it with a small dab of Dicor. What y’all think?
If Betty ever sees it (doubtful) I’ll tell it must be road debris that was kicked up.

 

[jasin1]

So the Arcadia was purchased last August. This past December I was backing my utility trailer up my steep driveway. The trailer disappeared behind my truck. I backed the trailer into the Arcadia. A small spot under the fifth overhang, down by the battery compartment door. I didn’t punch all the way through…I can’t feel anything on the backside.
Im thinking about filling it with a small dab of Dicor. What y’all think?
If Betty ever sees it (doubtful) I’ll tell it must be road debris that was kicked up.

I would think the dicor will attract dirt like a magnet and look pretty bad after a few road trips…I purchased a paddle board/ surfboard repair kit on amazon that cures in 3 minutes in the sun to a hard fiberglass like finish…used it to repair one of our paddle boards that had a ding in it…you could even add some color to it to try and match…takes literally 3-5 min

 

[Gearhead]

I would think the dicor will attract dirt like a magnet and look pretty bad after a few road trips…I purchased a paddle board/ surfboard repair kit on amazon that cures in 3 minutes in the sun to a hard fiberglass like finish…used it to repair one of our paddle boards that had a ding in it…you could even add some color to it to try and match…takes literally 3-5 min

Thanks! Good idea. I’ll look into it.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I would think the dicor will attract dirt like a magnet and look pretty bad after a few road trips…I purchased a paddle board/ surfboard repair kit on amazon that cures in 3 minutes in the sun to a hard fiberglass like finish…used it to repair one of our paddle boards that had a ding in it…you could even add some color to it to try and match…takes literally 3-5 min

Brian, does that stuff have any coloring agent (like the color of a camper)?

 

[jasin1]

Brian, does that stuff have any coloring agent (like the color of a camper)?

you can add pigment to it …I found some pretty cheap on Amazon

The company SOLAREZ makes fly fishing supplies also…i was pretty happy with how durable it is

 

[wiredgeorge]

Many years ago I was asked to paint a guest bathroom and the tub/shower was fiberglass. Put a ladder in the tub and bingo, had a hole. The tub was manufactured by a company called Lasco and I went online and bought a fiberglass repair kit which contains some of the colors they used. I actually followed the directions and after the repair, the damage and repair became invisible. I suspect you could buy a similar kit at a box home improvement store. This isn't to say the marine kit won't work but there could be similar alternatives.

 

[Stircrazy]

wouldn't a fiberglass gelcoat repair kit be about the best way to go? I found one with 6 different color pigments that you can use to try match what your repairing.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Bondo makes a fiberglass repair kit, same as the kits for metal repair. They don't cost an arm and a leg, easy to use, and repairs easily.

If the front of the camper is fiberglass, that's what I'd use (again) ... especially since I did it once already a few years ago.

The only problem is, you need to sand it down when it's finally died hard and that stuff is dang-hard-tough!

When done, you'll have a smooth surface again, a permanent fix, and material that will be tougher than the original material it's bonded to.

Now, simply take something and cover the affected area .... like screwing on a new baggage door, or a utility door that makes it look like it belongs.
When the struts on my baggage door pulled out and broke the particle wood door clear out. I packed the broken out wood with wood filler and then ran bolts completely through the doors. I then added a metal plate on the inside of the door and then attached the strut. But, that left the outside of the door looking unsightly AND weird with 4 silver colored bolt heads showing. So.... what I did was cover them. You can do the same with after you use Bondo for fiberglass on your boo-boo.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Here's a link to the Montana Owner's Forum where fellow member Foldbak posted a repair on his front Montana fifth wheel. Actually, it was this post that inspired me for the repair I did on my baggage door strut problem:
Click here.

 

[JRTJH]

I've fixed a number of "dings and dangs" for neighbors by just sealing the hole with Proflex and gluing or screwing on a stamped "fake vent" to mask the hole. I'd recommend gluing it on so you don't put more holes in the FILON, just use a dab of Proflex in each screw hole to glue in a screw head that you can cut with a hacksaw to "dress up the holes so they don't look empty. I have a collection of 2 inch and 3 inch aluminum stamped vent covers, but the newer ones seem to be plastic rather than aluminum. Here's photos of a square one and a round one. Depending on where the damage is located, just "venting the repaired hole" may be easier than trying to do a "color matched/finish matched body shop repair"... They all come in black, white, tan, and several other colors. They're sold in marine parts stores, RV parts stores, E Trailer.com and of course on Amazon...

 

[jasin1]

Many years ago I was asked to paint a guest bathroom and the tub/shower was fiberglass. Put a ladder in the tub and bingo, had a hole. The tub was manufactured by a company called Lasco and I went online and bought a fiberglass repair kit which contains some of the colors they used. I actually followed the directions and after the repair, the damage and repair became invisible. I suspect you could buy a similar kit at a box home improvement store. This isn't to say the marine kit won't work but there could be similar alternatives.

I think your idea is better for this situation