FTC Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this article for more information, visit our Advertising Disclosure Page.

You can subscribe to the Everything About RVing YouTube Channel for some great videos about RVing

What Is Causing The Chipping Fiberglass On The Exterior Of My Motorhome?

by Chris
(Yarmouth, NS Canada)

What Is Causing The Chipping Fiberglass On The Exterior Of My Motorhome?

What Is Causing The Chipping Fiberglass On The Exterior Of My Motorhome?

What is causing the exterior walls on my 2005 R-Vision Trail-Lite B+ motorhome to flake? There are dozens of pencil eraser sized flakes of fiberglass popping off. They are primarily located on the passenger side of the coach. Some near the roof line. Some in the middle of the wall, near the fridge?????

And how do I repair these blemishes????

ANSWER: Hi Chris, I cannot tell you exactly what is causing the blistering and chipping on the exterior walls of your motorhome. I can give you some possible causes of the problem.

1. This could be due to some type of chemical that has come in contact with the exterior of your RV causing the Gelcoat to blister or crack.

2. This could be a problem that occurred at the factory when the gelcoat was applied. The fiberglass surface may not have been primed or cleaned properly prior to applying the Gelcoat.


3. You could have a leak in that particular part of the RV and the moisture has gotten into the fiberglass laminate.

4. This could also be the first sign of a serious delamination problem within the walls of your RV.

The fact is I cannot tell you for sure what is actually causing the problem. I would suggest that you take your motorhome in and have it inspected by a Certified RV Technician to see if they can get to the root cause of the blistering and chipping.

The type of repair that is required depends solely on what the root cause of the problem is. The repair could be something as simple as using a Gelcoat Repair Kit to fill in the chipped areas of the Gelcoat.

24/7 emergency medical evacuation for peace of mind when you travel. Good Sam TravelAssist. Learn More!

I am sorry that I could not give you the exact cause of the problem you are experiencing, but hopefully it will turn out to be something minor.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for What Is Causing The Chipping Fiberglass On The Exterior Of My Motorhome?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		DAP Alex Plus
by: Rolly Patton

See my previous comments. It seems to work better than anything else I tried, since the holes don't pop out again. Fill the hole with DAP, then fill once more after it has shrunk. Paint with white marine paint.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2015 keystone fifthwheel
by: Glenn/ohio

We bought this new and it started on the rear and is starting elsewhere on the camper the flaking fisheyes... we store it covered so what gives...
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chipping blistering outer shell. Keystone
by: Anonymous

Many of these remarks are about Keystone we have 2016 Outback 5th wheel. Keystone told me caused by 'insects'! They know there's a problem if many of you contacted them. Sounds like a manufacturer defect that needs class action law suit. They're just trying to get out of paying to fix all the blistering.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Outback blisters
by: Jim

Hello again, I have been trying to research this problem by watching videos posted on youtube. What I have found was interesting # 1 is Rebuilt and Relaminated rear wall Jayco Superlite by Rv Roof Install out of Georgia, and it shows the damage that water does with Dicor sealant failure. The other site is AZ Expert out of Arizona. does not show the popping but shows delam and water damage.

It also shows roof failure by how a crack in the Dicor sealant can rot out your roof and run down the side walls. the water freezes and has no place else to go. Just like a burst pipe.

Thanks hope this helps.

Jim
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		gel coat popping
by: Drake

Hello,
We have a 2016 Keystone Cougar 326RDS we love our trailer but we also are having Gel-popping issues. It started in 2017 and we contacted Keystone they told us it was environmental. Every year since then 3 or 4 more pops have showed up. At first they were in the same location, but his year they showed up in a different location. All on drivers side of trailer. Also 2 storage doors on passenger side are now bubbling.

We are thinking of consulting an attorney as we can not sell by owner and the dealer will low ball us if we trade. So sadly we are stuck with this defective trailer, which we spent a good deal of money on.
Can anyone out there help us out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Trails
Mark and Pauline
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Outback blisters
by: jim

Hi we live in Grande Prairie AB We have a 14 Outback 5th wheel we bought it new, We have those also. The Rv place we bought it from said it was our fault for not replacing seam seal compound every year. Keystone said not our fault warranty for 1 year only. bodyshop said $4000 a corner because they would have to replace panel and cut into the existing panels and put a seam cover. Wished i would have bought new - oh ya i did!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trying something new
by: Rolly Patton


DAP Alex Plus

Using materials that hardened solid hasn't worked. After a winter freeze-up, and the subsequent thaw, most simply popped out again. This year I filled the holes with a product called ALEX PLUS. It's described as Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone. It doesn't harden like a gel coat, so I'm hoping the filled holes won't pop out. Since it shrinks, I had to fill the holes a couple of times. Then I painted over the holes with a paint matching the original color. The color of the tube I bought is brilliant white, so it blended in with the color I applied. I won't know until next spring whether it worked (after the freeze-up and thaw).
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Itasca
by: Sharon

We recently purchased a 2000 Itasca suncruiser and it is gorgeous inside. But outside we have those same unsightly chips in the exterior. Has anyone had any success covering them?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		same damage on our bus
by: fred from sarasota

Most of the comments are getting a wrong this has to be something that happened during the mixing or the spraying of the gelcoat, we have the same problem on some of our buses in Sarasota Florida that we used to transport people around Florida and these little Half Moon chips are even happening underneath are lettering and in some places there are 50 of them in a square foot and other places there are none
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Paint Chipping
by: John

I have a 2016 Keystone Outback with the same issue it started on the slide out on right side.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		2016 Impact 311
by: Brady

Same issue, I noticed this has started on the right rear corner of my 2016 Impact 311, even under some of the decal. I thought Keystone Products would be better than this.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Holes in exterior walls of RV
by: Rolly Patton

Didn't mean to show as anonymous. I am in Victoria, BC area. Generally get at least one freezing spell during the winter. Holes pop after the weather warms up.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Holes in exterior walls of RV
by: Anonymous

I have a 2005 Citation Supreme. Every year, after a bad cold spell, more and more holes pop out. I have tried filling them with epoxy filler, faring compound, and an epoxy sealer as a moisture barrier from the outside. Nothing works. They pop out the next year, along with new holes.

There is moisture in the material (using a moisture meter), and I suspect the moisture expands when it freezes and pops out these eraser sized holes. The holes mostly pop out partially, so I have to use a faring knife to knock them off completely.

Now I am going to simply paint over the holes as they appear; just so they don't look so unsightly against the white backing. They appear in different areas; mainly the slideouts.

The only real answer is to replace the panels - not worth it. There are THOUSANDS of holes on my unit.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Gel coat chips
by: Judy

Haha, funny joke Betty. You must work for one of the manufacturers! This is a serious issue that is costing or going to cost RV owners thousands and thousands of dollars to fix, and you think it is caused by a leaf. Park your RV away from the leaves and see if that solves your problem. You will soon see like the rest of us that it is not a "maintenance " problem like the manufacturers want you to believe but rather a "faulty materials" issue!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Round chip holes
by: Betty

Well well, I’m surprised to find others with the same problem. My first thought was "birds pecking at bugs" but when I went to clean our motorhome I found a small leaf stuck to the west side of it about the same size. It faces a wooded area and has the pits on that side only. I now believe it is from the acid in leaves. Hope this helps & releases the manufacturers & salespeople who are probably having a hard time surviving with gas prices & the MPG these mobile homes require.

A filler with an annual checkup &/or simply move it away from the reach of falling leaves.

Good luck!

Betty
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV paint chipping problem
by: Don

I have the same problem in our 2005 Thor Motorhome, advised by RV Paint specialist that the problem is caused by defective material when RV built and condensation comes from materials from the inside out! I was informed that if repaired the same problem would occur again in a short period of time! Sorry for the bad news, I too am struggling with how to temporarily repair and hoping it will stay looking good for a longer period of time! RV paint specialist will not guarantee the paint job! To me, it is like cancer in the RV body!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fiberglass blisters.
by: Jevub


Bondo Body Filler

I bought an ALFA, 2008, 2 years ago. I was told it came from a bad batch of product, and about the fas coming out. The correction was made by filling it with pink Bondo and painting it white.

Though you can see what was hand painted, it has held well without recurring in that area.

I now have quite a few on the same side by the entrance door. My unit is all white, not painted. No stickers, they were removed supposedly to stop this issue. None have occured where they were
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RV fiberglass chips
by: Anonymous

We have a 2001 Winnebago adventurer. Heard it was from a bad batch of fiberglass....we have sanded and filled the holes with Marine Tex last year, with hopes of painting it this spring....found more holes. I think I am going to use a fiberglass substance this time in that section. Any other have suggestion?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chipping, flaking of gelcoat on RV
by: Anonymous

We have a 2001 Winnebago Adventurer with chipping/flaking of the exterior gelcoat. When it first started happening a few years back....we contacted Winnebago....it was due to bad constructed fiberglass...
So we are now starting to clean off the affected areas and applying a gelcoat. We decided to take all the federal off patch the holes and see if a total painting needs done.
If any one has any suggestions please post it.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The Blame Game
by: Wendy Anzulewicz

We had some repairs done to our 2005 Four Winds 31 F and the problem continues in other areas. We were told that Four Winds received a bad batch of Fiberglass and the holes are being formed where gas bubbles are exploding outwards.

Unfortunately delamination then occurs when moisture seeps into these holes. The company that supplied it went bankrupt and since Thor now owns Four Winds nobody wants to take responsibility for this issue. We are now stuck with an RV that will take over $12000.00 to repair. Is worth less than half the amount we have left on the mortgage for it and a whole lot of frustration.

The interior held up well...but with the walls rotting away from the outside in it is only a matter of time before the interior goes.

We are finally retiring in Sept 2016...and are stuck going full time in a deteriorating RV. Bought this RV new, we are the original owners and wish Thor/Four Winds would at least repair the walls at their expense. At this point, I would not recommend any of their products after our experience.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		same problem
by: Judy

We have a Citation by General Coach, a Canadian made travel trailer that has developed the same problem. Interestingly though General Coach was purchased by Thor just before our date of manufacture. Sounds to me like the problem could be with Thor and not a maintenance issue!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Four Winds Problem Also
by: Bev

We too purchased a 2006 Four Winds Chateau (used, very low mileage), which soon developed major blisters, mainly on one side. Me thinks Four Winds had gel coat issues, but unfortunately Thor apparently has no interest in dealing with those issues.....
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Eraser size chips
by: Jerry Worley

Watch for BB-S or a pellet rifle , mine has a chip like you are describing , Came from some one with a BB gun .
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		fourwinds rv
by: pat

We purchased a Thor Fourwinds motorhome 6 months ago from Town and Country RV center in Clyde, OH.
It is a 2007 with 16,000 miles on it. It now has holes all over it. I have contacted Fourwinds and they say it is a maintenance issue. How can you know this is going to happen. How prevalent is this issue?

Wouldn't the bubbles that are popping happen at the factory. Moisture could not have gotten behind the gel coat if it was applied right, don't you think. The cost to repair this is huge. Any suggestions?

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION