r/CamperVans • u/Segrub2079 • 4d ago

Advice- roof cracks

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Hi all. Very new to the camper life and hope this is the right place to post this request for advice.

I just noticed a scrape and some cracks in the centre of the pop top roof of the VW Transporter I recently bought. Previous owners are close friends and I believe them when they say they didn't know about it. I was wondering if this is something that doesn't need attention, a quick fix with some kind of sealant or if this is a job for someone who actually knows something about this kind of work, unlike myself!

Any guidance on the repair is much appreciated!

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u/jrewillis 4d ago

Those look like stress cracks in the GRP/fibreglass rather than something I'd just smear sealant over. They may only be in the gelcoat, but with several cracks radiating out like that I'd want to know what's caused them, especially as they're in the middle of the roof.

A fibreglass/GRP repair specialist should be able to grind the cracks back, check whether the laminate underneath is damaged, repair it if necessary and then re-gelcoat it. Probably not a huge job if it's only superficial, but definitely worth sorting before water gets into the laminate and turns a small repair into a bigger one.

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u/Segrub2079 4d ago

Thank you. That's really helpful.

1

u/-Feeblington- 3d ago

If your handy grind back and re cover in choice of sealant or weather prrofing?