Elkmont Roof Repairs done at Trailmanor

[Mr. Adventure]

Originally Posted by harveyrv

If the plastic is really shiny, it isn't polyethylene. It's more than likely good old fashion Plexiglas. It has the same characteristics as F/G (for painting).

I would sand it with 180g paper, put a coat of epoxy primer on it (allow primer to dry 24 hours), quick-sand it with 220G paper then a coat or 2 of LP Marine paint (wet-on-wet). It will protect that panel for 20 years and look great. It can be done with a roller. If you leave the plexi exposed to the Sun, I give it 5 years before it starts cracking (unless you cover the trailer).

Without knowing what the material is, what it's been coated with, or whether it already has appropriate solar stabilizers, you can't possibly know whether it needs to be painted or what to paint it with if it did.

This might have been a great idea for a boat or a 1995 model that needs maintenance, but this one sounds like a really bad idea to me. Wouldn't it be a better idea to just leave this alone and see how the factory repair does, considering that it's always a good idea to keep new vehicles and their factory fixes in a condition where you could ask the factory to work on them again if you want them to?

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

Without knowing what the material is, what it's been coated with, or whether it already has appropriate solar stabilizers, you can't possibly know whether it needs to be painted or what to paint it with if it did.

The repair appears to be holding up well; no leaks so far. But I suspect much of that is the new hybrid polyurethane caulk the factory is using, not the plastic sheet.

The plastic sheet appears identical to that used on the wall above the shoulder height shower wall of our Elkmont. The paint job has not caused any harm, from what I can tell, and is not peeling off so far. And I'm quite sure that the 2 coats of rather thick paint is blocking much of the UV, whether necessary or not.

Anyway, I enjoy puttering around with our Elkmont. But am glad the factory did the major stuff, despite the pain of getting the trailer to factory. Hopefully it will not be necessary again.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by Mr. Adventure

Without knowing what the material is, what it's been coated with, or whether it already has appropriate solar stabilizers, you can't possibly know whether it needs to be painted or what to paint it with if it did.

This might have been a great idea for a boat or a 1995 model that needs maintenance, but this one sounds like a really bad idea to me. Wouldn't it be a better idea to just leave this alone and see how the factory repair does, considering that it's always a good idea to keep new vehicles and their factory fixes in a condition where you could ask the factory to work on them again if you want them to?

Ya!!!! That idea worked out real well with the brand new trailer. The paint can do no harm. It will protect the plastic from UV as long as it lasts and it is a heck of a lot easier than trying to keep the trailer covered.