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Old 10-27-2009, 01:41 PM   #1
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Small chips in the shell...

On our trip back to TX from Chilliwack, we had to traverse several non-paved roads. As a result, there was a fair amount of small rocks and gravel that spewed up from the tug wheel onto the trailer - even when going reasonably slow. There appear to be numerous small chips in the fg shell particularly the areas directly above where the rock guards are installed.

My question is: Do I need to do anything to fix/plug/fill them &/or put some sealant over them. If so, is it an easy DIY process or should I have a fg professional deal with it? If DIY, what should I use to fix them & how should I fix them? Thanks in advance for any feedback.


I guess I should check the trailer's wheel wells & underbelly for any damage from rocks thrown by the trailer's tires as well. I should probably also check under the rock guards to ensure they did their job as well.
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Old 10-28-2009, 05:50 PM   #2
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Hello,

Just an opinion here, and I haven't seen your chips, but it is likely primarily a cosmetic issue. Not a pleasant one, but you do not likely have to seal the chips. The outer white coating on a fiberglass boat, FGR trailer or structure is a pigmented (white, in your case) gelcoat layer. It is a smooth, hard & decorative layer but is typically a bit brittle. There are cosmetic remedies, none of them easy to color match for the DYI. West Marine (Google them for their online catalog & there's a store in Austin) will have boating gelcoat colorants, repair materials, etc. I've dealt with this issue with my sailboat and tend to hide damage with vaarious techniques. The chips will not allow water to penetrate, and as I said, they're a cosmetic issue. You could deal with them by cover them with some protective film or material to hide them and prevent further gelcoat damage. That's one technique. There are others, but more involved and do not prevent future damage. You could contact Escape for a small container of gelcoat, but be advised it's an involved process to work with it.

Summary: Chips are cosmetic concern, hide and protect is quickest.

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Old 10-28-2009, 07:24 PM   #3
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Thanks for the reply, Habberdabber. So far I've only noticed very small chips that aren't really visible unless you're up close and looking at them at the right angle. However, there are lots of them. In any event, I was most concerned with whether or not leaving them alone could lead to later issues (e.g. cracking, water penetration, etc). If it is in fact just a cosmetic concern as you surmise, then it's still a bummer but one I can easily live with and I will likely leave it alone. Lord knows my body has plenty of scars I picked up through the years so why shouldn't Grasshopper.
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Old 10-28-2009, 07:59 PM   #4
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Hi: Texscapees... If you need to call a chip a chip by any other name it's "patina". I would think a good polish with Meguires and they will fill with the wax and just buff carefully to a good shine. Worked for me...YMMV tho. Alf
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Old 10-28-2009, 09:25 PM   #5
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

What's done is done and hope it's not too bad. Have you seen Paul's great solution for dings... he made out of diamond plate. Too cool! Maybe something you'd want to consider so the chips don't continue to accumulate.

See Paul's post and pictures on the second page: http://escapeforum.org/index.php?topic=871.15
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Old 10-30-2009, 09:08 AM   #6
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

I had the same problem, getting chips as high as the rubber seam around the trailer middle. I ended up getting Line-x put on the front corners of the trailer. Works perfectly. I think you could now hit it with a hammer.
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Old 10-30-2009, 09:33 AM   #7
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Yep, the chips are higher than the typical rockguards (such as Paul fabricated) - all the way up to the belly as well. Could you post a pic of what it looks like on your Escape? I'm assuming you had a Line-X dealer put it on for you. Also, approx what did it cost?
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Old 10-30-2009, 10:29 AM   #8
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Dirk, do you think I could just do the line-x and skip the rock protection thingis all-together? Maybe have Reace do it before I pick Cafe Egg up next year?
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Old 10-30-2009, 05:17 PM   #9
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Brad & Shay
I've attempted to fill gelcoat cracks and chips on one of my older FG canoes, it was a waste of time (much) and money (little), the color wasn't even close. Maybe doing white would be different but I'd suggest a boat repair shop if you want them filled correctly, as long as they can match the color.
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Old 10-30-2009, 05:30 PM   #10
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Here's the link to Dirk's blog with photo of Line-X


http://web.me.com/mosquitodirk/Site/...fications.html

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Old 10-30-2009, 07:53 PM   #11
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

line-x may do the job but it doesn't look all that great. If it came in white it might be more appealing.
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Old 10-30-2009, 08:27 PM   #12
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Agreed. However, in looking at their website (http://www2.line-x.com/nw/xtra.html), they have addressed that limitation. ..

Specifically from the website it says, "You Asked, We Listened...... Here's Your Answer. LINE-X XTRA "Color-Coded" Spray-On Composite Truck Bedliners with DuPont Kevlar is the next generation of bedliner technology, available at selected LINE-X Locations."

There are pics showing examples of a variety of colors used on various trucks, construct equip, rv's, etc. I didn't see a white but would imagine they do that now as well.
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Old 10-30-2009, 08:46 PM   #13
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Re: Small chips in the shell...


I think white is probably the most difficult "color" to match. The variation from cold to warm tones is huge. The best solution would likely be one that is a color variation of the trailer graphics, perhaps a lighter tone. But, it's a large area to cover and is pretty hard to disguise.

I'm just going to live with small chips, a patina as described earlier.

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Old 11-02-2009, 09:17 AM   #14
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

If I remember correctly (which is rare) the cost was around the $500 (Canadian) mark or less. I don't think you would need any other protection, it's pretty sturdy (and true, not that pretty, but protection was important for me - it matches the duct tape holding my vent cover on).

In a testament to it's protective abilities - I've recently pulled the trailer all the way to Eagle Plains, Yukon, and back down to Vicksburg Mississippi - on the way there have been many gravel roads, a wicked snow storm and accompanying gravel/salt/ice combos on the roads - all of which have stripped the paint from a number of spots on my truck. The trailer is perfectly fine (although the paint is gone from about 1/3 of the tongue - the next thing to solve).
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Old 11-02-2009, 09:24 AM   #15
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

I would imagine the Line-X would be a good solution to the trailer hitch as well. Trailer hitches, as well as frames, always seem to take a real beating.

One other idea would be to do the Line-X the same colour as your graphics. The local Bigfoot dealer (before they went out of business) put it on every new Bigfoot, and the colour seemed like a very close match. Of course these were new, and had yet received any punishment.
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Old 11-02-2009, 12:31 PM   #16
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

I asked about doing the frame, but unless you did the whole thing, and made sure there was absolutely no oxidation started anywhere, then it would possibly be worse (since oxidizing bits would bubble, and would likely not dry).
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Old 11-02-2009, 03:15 PM   #17
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

I don't even like to look at the title of this thread....

I cringe at the thought of rock chips in my baby.

I haven't noticed any yet, though I'm sure it will happen, even though we don't go all over tarnation like Dirk. I'm sure it will be easier after the first... our Casita was riddled with them.

Then again, we have the factory rock guards and perhaps they have special powers...
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Old 11-07-2009, 10:53 AM   #18
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

This post from another RV forum might be another idea too.

"I was looking for a way to keep bug splatters, road
tar and rock chips from nailing the front. Even though I've got good sized
rubber mud flaps on my van - and a long overhang - a lot of stuff still gets
through. Small rocks are a big culprit here in the desert southwest.

I bought a 4X8 sheet of white, 4mm thick Coroplast, then trimmed it to cover the
entire frontal area. If you've never seen Coroplast it looks exactly like
corrugated cardboard - but is made from plastic. Check out www.Coroplast for
more details. It is commonly used in the sign business.

I chose Coroplast for several reasons:

1. It gives on impact, effectively spreading out the force from a stone hit.
While it will leave a mark on the surface of the Coroplast it will completely
protect what's underneath it.

2. Inert - no worries about water.

3. You can wash it.

4. Its highly flexible so it can follow the curve of the front.

5. Easy to cut with a utility knife.

6. CHEAP! A 4X8 sheet was $20.00...

7. Easy to install with small squares of 3M OUTSIDE double sided tape cut from
a roll. I installed them about 18" apart around the entire perimeter, and put a
few in the middle as well. Did I mention use OUTSIDE double sided tape?

8. Easy to remove - just heat up the tape with a hair dryer and pull hard.

9. Extremely light - I would bet the entire piece I used weighs maybe a pound.

When and if I ever sell my trailer that shiny new front - free of stone hits and
bug splatters - is sure to increase the value. ;-)

It took me about an hour from start to finish, make sure you clean the mounting
surface thoroughly from any wax or grime. I used a strong solution of Dawn
dish-washing liquid to strip it, followed by a wipe down with alcohol and a new
microfiber towel."
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Old 11-07-2009, 12:57 PM   #19
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

Can you post a picture? I think it's a great solution..
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Old 11-07-2009, 01:40 PM   #20
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Re: Small chips in the shell...

IT was just a message board with no photo for a conventional travel trailer (not fiberglass). Google images for Coroplast will show the material. It's that cheap, but tough sign material. Thought it might be food for thought. I don't know if that 3M OUTSIDE double sided tape would damage the gelcoat or not. Take care.
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