Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Contact Us

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Bailey Ranger, Hairline Cracks, Gps Or Ab Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 8:59am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Brody76's Profile View Profile   Reply to Brody76 Reply   Quote Brody76 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   28
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

 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.



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


PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 9:53am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Brody76's Profile View Profile   Reply to Brody76 Reply   Quote Brody76 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   28
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

 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.



-------------
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  
Joined: 18/9/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1312
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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.


Advertisement



PersonBrody76
31/5/2012 at 11:08am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Brody76's Profile View Profile   Reply to Brody76 Reply   Quote Brody76 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   28
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Outfit: bailey ranger 470 4 View phil76's Profile View Profile   Reply to phil76 Reply   Quote phil76 Quote  
Joined: 14/6/2006

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   299
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270 View Al+Mel's Profile View Profile   Reply to Al+Mel Reply   Quote Al+Mel Quote  
Joined: 18/9/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1312
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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).



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

2829 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement

Advertisement



Advertisement