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Subject Topic: Bailey Ranger, Hairline Cracks, Gps Or Ab Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 8:59am
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Bought a Bailey Ranger 470/4 1999-2000 model 2 weeks ago and happy with it. Seems dry and evetrything works well. However, there are a few hairline (and I mean hairline)cracks on front and rear panels. These dont seem to be stress cracks as they are just in the middle of nowhere.

On the front they are on and just above the locker. This is helpful as I was able to confirm, by opening locker, that it is only the gelcoat layer that has been affected. The fibreglass is ok at the moment. I plan to get this fixed, likely by myself after I have learned a bit more. The hairline cracks at the rear seem the same but I cant be sure that the rear panel (beside the lights) is also GRP as I cant access behind the cracks. I have heard that many caravans can use both abs and grp. How can I be sure that it is grp? To be honest I am confident that these cracks are surface cracks as I have flexed the area and it appears to be the case.

I have now found a slightly wider crack near the front window. I dont know how I missed that if it was there when I bought it. It is small but needing attention before the others. Is there something I can do as a temporary fix to get me through the next week? Like the rear cracks, I cant be sure if it is grp on the panel around the windows. I was looking at gelcoat filler on towsure. If this crack is grp, would this be an ok temporary fix?

Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance for any help offered.

Richard


Personmichael
31/5/2012 at 9:28am
 Location: Lancashire
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 How can I be sure that it is grp?

check inside with your fingers,if smooth its plastic if rough its GRP.

you can get gel coat repair products from any boat yard.

just google repairing gel coat and you get lots of advice.



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 9:53am
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Thanks for reply. I can only get in behind the locker panel, what about the other areas that I cant access. Ive heard dabbing yiur finger in acetone and touching the surface will tell if its GRP. Is that the only way?


Personmichael
31/5/2012 at 9:59am
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 finger in acetone ,Is that the only way?

can not advise on that.you can remove one of the rear lights this would give you access.



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonAl+Mel
31/5/2012 at 10:12am
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270 View Al+Mel's Profile View Profile   Reply to Al+Mel Reply   Quote Al+Mel Quote  
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Acetone is the solvent for ABS will melt a bit if you touch with finger dipped in it. (Really not god for skin!)

For GRP as said before Capt. Tolley's - then polish.

To repair properly takes a lot of time and skill - if you don't have enough you can make a FAR worse mess. My pal who is a GRP boat repairer would grind off the damaged gel coat, re-gel, sand fair, then polish. Takes ages, so costs a lot. If you polish really well, the cracks won't show so much - and they are really just cosmetic anyway.

ABS - Plastex. Different ball game.


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PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 11:08am
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Thanks for reply Al+Mel. It is the slightly wider crack next to window edge that I'm concerned about. Was just looking for a way to temp fill it until permanent repair. Thansk for advice and yes I wouldnt attempt any repair if I didnt think I could do it. Will have a think about that and may end up dropping it off at my local coachworks.


Personphil76
31/5/2012 at 2:01pm
 Location: cheshire
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You could try " stixall " I have used it for so many jobs it seems to stick to almost anything the colour is quite close to the bailey abs colour I'm not sure what your panels are made of our series 5 is abs and so far no i havent found any stress cracks

Post last edited on 31/05/2012 17:03:50


PersonAl+Mel
31/5/2012 at 3:06pm
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For a wider crack on GRP Sikaflex could be the answer. If you clean the area with white spirit, then thoroughly degrease with meths, it will stick very well. Sikaflex is a superb sealant and adhesive. Mask up the area first - or remove the excess with white spirit straight away otherwise it is a nightmare to remove.

The problem with hairline cracks in GRP is that you can have them fixed, then the panel flexes for some reason, and you have them back again. You could reinforce the panel, but they are really only a cosmetic problem, why worry? The 'van has lasted this long with them without a problem (and our 25 year old yacht has a few too, they're not getting any worse, so until they do, they can stay there).



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