Off topic - fiberglass questions

[Persues]

I figured you boat owning chappies might have a handle on fiberglassing, so here goes:

The shower tray in my caravan is cracked. It's a bespoke shower cubicle/tray made for a limited edition static caravan that you just can't get any more.

I don't mind having the whole thing replaced with a more standard unit if necessary but I recall a yacht owner friend of mine telling me about fiberglassing all kinds of stuff for his yacht, from repairs to entire hatch covers and whatnot.

So, the question is, is it feasible (not to mention practical) to 'build' a fiberglass layer onto the existing shower tray base to cover the whole lot over, cracks and all, or ought I to have the whole lot ripped out and an entire tray and cubicle put in instead.

Be careful here because if someone decides its do-able I'll have all kinds of questions to ask

[Gramas]

Try giving north east composites a call they based in cramlington, there fiberglass specailists & were very helpful when i needed my wee boat sorting out

[the leadman]

you got any pics mate ? dont see why you can fix it . are the cracks deep of just light . as over time the gel coat will crack if the try can flex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEE6SFUdpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en-8SbhdF_k&feature=relmfu

fixing fiber glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsoKAHU5xUw

[mickbrennan]

I'm a roofer and use fibreglass all the time and also use north east composites for my gear there very helpful

[mark]

entirely feasible


rub the exisiting tray down with 60 or 80 grit to key the exisiting gelcoat

build up the thing with chopped strand matting and resin., then another layer of finer tissue and resin, then finish the whole thing off with flocoat

which is gelcoat with added wax so it will harden properly without it being in a mould


or if you can get the tray out, repair it underneath with csm and resin, thne a coat of float coat on the top side to hide the crack

might be cheaper to just buy a new tray though

[Persues]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and information.

Swapping out the shower tray would be a far better option under normal circumstances, however, it's a non-standard size and if anyone has any exprience of static caravans you will know that it is more or less impossible to get at the shower tray without completely screwing up the external wall finishing surrounding it. At least, that seems to be the case on mine

I'm going to do the right thing and 'get a man in' to see what the options are for having a tray made in that size or for having an entire rework done on the whole shower cubicle, which may make more sense over the long term.

Looks like this is going to turn into one of those dreadful makeover shows...

[clarky]

I can remember workn on a house refurb and the plumber decided to stand in the bath without putn the centre leg down n cracked about 6inches along bottom, when I went back to tile I thought he'd bought a new one but apparently not, he'd repaired it using fiberglass so it can be done mate

[billyturbot]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and information.

Swapping out the shower tray would be a far better option under normal circumstances, however, it's a non-standard size and if anyone has any exprience of static caravans you will know that it is more or less impossible to get at the shower tray without completely screwing up the external wall finishing surrounding it. At least, that seems to be the case on mine

I'm going to do the right thing and 'get a man in' to see what the options are for having a tray made in that size or for having an entire rework done on the whole shower cubicle, which may make more sense over the long term.

Looks like this is going to turn into one of those dreadful makeover shows...

there not that bad to get out the panels are just screwed in if you look at the toilet roll holder, mirror,even may be a cupboard ect they all hold the panel on probably I know this as I have done quite a few,you may find a tray on ebay there's always stuff on there i have had a few trays and basins from ebay for caravans