Lorelei072
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2019
- Messages
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Hello, all. It's me again.
What are your thoughts on repairing vs. replacing fiberglass van roofs? My rig is a '92 GMC/Explorer conversion in decent shape but there are issues of course with a 30-y.o. vehicle exposed to the hot southern sun.
I previously posted an inquiry as to how to reseal my leaking skylights. I could not figure out how to remove them for maintenance without destroying the significantly deteriorated gasket material. I still haven't been able to find replacement gaskets after contacting Explorer, Safelite, and internet searches. It's unclear to me how to chose the correct gaskets without likely destroying the ones holding the skylights.
I found a marine fiberglass shop that's willing to work with me, but all he did for the skylights was goop some silicone to the outside. The leak was definitely coming from the skylight on the driver's side, but now heavy rains are coming through on the passenger side :exclamation: There is also some leaking in heavy rain over the couch that I sleep on. After checking the roof exterior, I'm 80% sure the water could be traveling down the length from the remaining skylight leak, collecting on a roof contour, and dripping off at that point. But there's a chance that water could be seeping through tiny cracks at that roof contour.
The marine fiberglass shop provided a couple of rather high quotes to restore the faded paint on the roof ($8k-$9k to grind off the old, cracked gelcoat, re-gelcoat and paint or $1200 to just paint it).
If I do the work myself, I'd have to buy the tools and materials. I'm not sure what that would come to, but it would cost way less than $9k. I think the whole project would cost me <$1k.
I foresee 2 problems if I redo the roof myself. I work full time so it would take quite some time for me to complete all the grinding. It rains quite a bit here. If it takes me 2 months to complete the project, how much water damage would I be exposing the foundation of the fiberglass and the inside of my van? I'm also concerned about new gelcoat and paint having time to cure without rain threatening it.
Secondly, I don't know if the roof will support my weight. [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I cannot find a 10' scaffold that I could drive the van through and position myself over the middle to work on every part of the roof. [/font]I spent some time searching, but I can't say my search was exhaustive.
A new roof would be about $3000 from Fiberine in California. It would be in better condition, painted, weatherproofed, and hopefully with additional height and wood reinforcement.
My original van build plans included wood-reinforcement of the fiberglass roof to attach cabinetry and even suspend a papasan or moonchair loveseat for an elevator-style bed. It was also important to me to be able to stand upright, but the roof I have now isn't high enough. I have to keep my head ducked about 2".
What are your thoughts on repairing vs. replacing fiberglass van roofs? My rig is a '92 GMC/Explorer conversion in decent shape but there are issues of course with a 30-y.o. vehicle exposed to the hot southern sun.
I previously posted an inquiry as to how to reseal my leaking skylights. I could not figure out how to remove them for maintenance without destroying the significantly deteriorated gasket material. I still haven't been able to find replacement gaskets after contacting Explorer, Safelite, and internet searches. It's unclear to me how to chose the correct gaskets without likely destroying the ones holding the skylights.
I found a marine fiberglass shop that's willing to work with me, but all he did for the skylights was goop some silicone to the outside. The leak was definitely coming from the skylight on the driver's side, but now heavy rains are coming through on the passenger side :exclamation: There is also some leaking in heavy rain over the couch that I sleep on. After checking the roof exterior, I'm 80% sure the water could be traveling down the length from the remaining skylight leak, collecting on a roof contour, and dripping off at that point. But there's a chance that water could be seeping through tiny cracks at that roof contour.
The marine fiberglass shop provided a couple of rather high quotes to restore the faded paint on the roof ($8k-$9k to grind off the old, cracked gelcoat, re-gelcoat and paint or $1200 to just paint it).
If I do the work myself, I'd have to buy the tools and materials. I'm not sure what that would come to, but it would cost way less than $9k. I think the whole project would cost me <$1k.
I foresee 2 problems if I redo the roof myself. I work full time so it would take quite some time for me to complete all the grinding. It rains quite a bit here. If it takes me 2 months to complete the project, how much water damage would I be exposing the foundation of the fiberglass and the inside of my van? I'm also concerned about new gelcoat and paint having time to cure without rain threatening it.
Secondly, I don't know if the roof will support my weight. [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I cannot find a 10' scaffold that I could drive the van through and position myself over the middle to work on every part of the roof. [/font]I spent some time searching, but I can't say my search was exhaustive.
A new roof would be about $3000 from Fiberine in California. It would be in better condition, painted, weatherproofed, and hopefully with additional height and wood reinforcement.
My original van build plans included wood-reinforcement of the fiberglass roof to attach cabinetry and even suspend a papasan or moonchair loveseat for an elevator-style bed. It was also important to me to be able to stand upright, but the roof I have now isn't high enough. I have to keep my head ducked about 2".