mechy411 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hello everyone, Working on a rotted cab-over it seems like 1/2 problems are caused by a awning. So two questions is an awning worth the hassle it seems like a wind catcher going down the highway and a hundred potential areas to cause leaks when it rains. And the most important question how to patch holes in aluminum? Bondo? Fiberglass? There are other holes I would like patch. Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I've got them all over my 1988. I used white silicone. Not pretty but I'm not picky. I just read a long article about what supposedly causes those pin-holes (written in 1979). Claim is that the combo of moisture and chemicals in the glue underneath causes the corrosion-holes in the aluminum. I found that interesting. I had just assumed it was some sort of electrolysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I've done a fair amount of work with Bondo and fiberglass. Bondo was always easier to work with Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back East Don Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Aluminum can be problematic. I recently went over the front cab over with mine. My method was to sand and clean with acetone. Then used Marine epoxy meant for aluminum boats using aluminum flashing as backing for the larger holes. The epoxy I used can be sanded and did so to level it off. Then I used self etching primer to seal and create a bond coat to the surface. Then applied body filler, filler glaze and then primed and painted like normal body work. The cab over took a hit and was repaired by the previous owner. They used a combination of fiberglass and bondo on bare aluminum. I will tell you I was quite surprised at how poorly both bonded to the aluminum. I picked right off. I went over all of the old repair similar to the above. Did a ton of reading on aluminum body work before deciding on this method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechy411 Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thanks Don, I had read about the poor performance of bondo but was out of ideas. I searched Marine epoxy and came up with this http://www.jbweld.com/products/marineweld-twin-tube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back East Don Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I used Marine-Tex. Available in various sizes. Also picked up some mixing cups and craft sticks cheap on Amazon as well. I went with this as it was specifically made for aluminum boats. It has a relatively slow cure time but was otherwise easy to work with as to spreading and sanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totem Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 jbweld's steel stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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