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Topic: Sealing pin holes in skin from inside

evilosis

09/5/2012 at 10:20am
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Swift Major XL (1991)

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Hello all.

I recently purchased a Swift Major XL for a very low price due to the fact it has quite a damp problem in some of the walls. I did some research before I made the purchase and thanks to all your posts (especially you Wizard), I decided that I am competent enough to do the repairs. I have covered with tarp and stripped out the damp wall and foam boards. On doing so. I noticed a few pin holes in the skin. These are small holes and are randomly spread over the one side (6 holes max). My question is: Can I seal these from the inside with fibreglass/epoxy/sealant before putting foam boards back on? As they are so small I don't really want to cover the outside with sealant/stickers etc.

I am documenting my repair and will hopefully join The Fixed It Club one day.

Mark

JTQU

09/5/2012 at 11:06am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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My assumption is these are corrosion spots caused by the interaction of the steel of fixing staples or nails on the aluminium skin. In damp these work as a battery at the expense of the aluminium; however as you are replacing the substrate wood etc these particular points will not be there to cause further damage.
I would just smear the back of them with a bit of the Sikafix bonding you intend using on remaking the seals. Like with a palette knife. If large use an off cut of thin aluminium sheet to cover them. Don't use any other metal patch than aluminium, as almost any other metal you can readily access will cause more problems.
On rebuilding try to avoid any contact between the screws/nails/staples you use and the skin, because any damp such as condensation will start another point of corrosion.

evilosis

09/5/2012 at 12:07pm
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Swift Major XL (1991)

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JTQU

Thanks. That's just the answer I was hoping for.

I did check if there was any metal staples, fillings, etc when removing the polystyrene. I couldn't see any. The holes are not behind the substrate wood.

It was so wet behind the foam that I guess the tiniest bit of metal was have started corrosion.

I do have another question: I have noticed that the folded aluminium wall has started to become unstuck from the sheet bellow it. Is it ok to use Sikafix to bond these back together before adding the foam boards or should I use roll mastic?

Thanks again

Mark

Al+Mel

09/5/2012 at 1:00pm
Location: Hants
Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270

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Sikaflex is a superb adhesive as long as you clean and degrease the area to be bonded first. I would go with that.

JTQU

09/5/2012 at 5:21pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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Quote: Originally posted by evilosis on 09/5/2012

I do have another question: I have noticed that the folded aluminium wall has started to become unstuck from the sheet bellow it. Is it ok to use Sikafix to bond these back together before adding the foam boards or should I use roll mastic?

If as you say the aluminium was exposed to so much damp any impurities in or on the surface could well initiate pitting.

On the above question I would tend to lean towards Sikaflex, as I am not a fan of most 'mastics'. The exception might be if it is evident expansion needs to be accommodated, and here on the expanse of caravan side that might be a function of the folded joint. I would quiz a friendly van repairer for a steer on that, unless one comes forward to help on here.

TheHammocks

09/5/2012 at 7:16pm
Location: South Coast
Outfit: Fleetwood Colchester 1300 2 1993

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We also had pin holes in our van due to damp. We used a cold weld called J B Weld to fill the holes in. We have had no problems with these holes since filling them. We purchased the cold weld from Ebay if thats any help.

evilosis

10/5/2012 at 2:45pm
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Swift Major XL (1991)

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Thank you all for your help.

I will give the Sikaflex a go and keep you posted.

Mark

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