Cracked bathroom panel

Hello all,

I have just returned from a short trip to South Devon and have discovered a crack in one of the bathroom panels in our Autosleeper Topaz, picture below.

Does anyone have experience of repairing a crack like this? Is it a DIY job, or do I need to get it professionally repaired?

Any tips would be gratefully received.  

TIA

Jack

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Thanks for the tip Paul.

I will try this.

Jack

Is this at the top of the panel? Looks like a curtain rail in pictures. It looks like the mastic has cracked, if so it’s easy enough to cut out and replace. But if it’s cracked because of movement between the panels you should see it you can stiffen up the junction

Oh dear, been down that road sadly.

We had complete bathroom, sliding door surround, both o/s, n/s cant rails replaced by AS at their service centre on our 2007 Topaz due to cracks everywhere.

Very expensive, even after Mr Curry said he could offer a deal! + had to rent a cottage while having the repair, only to have more cracks in the bathroom after another 3 years.

Solution P/Xd van for the Duo. Looks like the plastic they used was not up to it.

Sorry cannot help with repair. It was all a bit off, seeing we bought the van brand new and found it a great van.
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Richard

Thanks for the replies guys.

Solaris,

It is actually a cracked panel, not the mastic.

Richard,

Thanks for the info even if it is a bit depressing.
Were your costs broken down? ie how much was the cost of the bathroom? I hope that question isn't too intrusive. :-)

Regards to all

Jack

When my sink cracked around the plug, I repaired it with car filler, had a mould made and a new fibreglass one. On one of my bathroom panels had a crack, put duck tape on the back, drilled a hole at each edge of the crack to stop getting worse and used car body to fill and then paint to match. It might work for you?

Casion,

Thanks for the idea.

We have some warrenty left on the vehicle so will discuss with the dealer (3 counties).
If no joy then may try your solution.

Regards
Jack

Jack, our first repair was done in 2011 so costs may have risen, but complete bathroom area, basin, all wall panels and wardrobe area came to about £1100. This was after Mr Curry sold me the parts at cost price Haa Haa!! Oh yes. The window surround was about £150 and the cant rails £150 for the pair. The cracks on the cant rails in my opinion were due to fitters using power drivers and you could see where the plastic was pulled in, they would not accept my findings.

Bathroom took 2 days at service centre added to the above costs as I have said, rental of cottage for 3 nights.

Second time, in 2015, Mr Curry and manager from Marquis agreed to come to my home to inspect, but we just P/Xd . Sometimes you just think enough is enough.
I have looked in the bathroom window of other Topaz's since and guess what, same cracks.
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Richard

All,

Have talked to 3 Counties and sent them a picture. They called me saying that it just needed some sealant replacing. We'll see, as I have arranged to take the van into them, but not until Nov 26, (v. busy apparently!).  Will update this thread when resolved.

Thanks for all the replies.
Jack

My first thought was to just apply a wider bead of silicon, that's probably what they will do.

Paulmold wrote:My first thought was to just apply a wider bead of silicon, that's probably what they will do.

Yes, looks to me like just silicon will do a repair. Mine was very bad around the drop down basin and wall fixing points, so beyond repair.
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Richard

If it is the plastic that is cracked it needs a small hole drilling at the end of the crack to stop it spreading further

Jack
can you get to the back of the panel if so is best repaired on the back and sealant is just a quick fix .to make a good repair araldite epoxy makes a strong repair

I have seen a new item called liquid plastic welding  but not used it myself to be able to say how good it is maybe some one else can help that's used this item

Again thanks for all the tips.

Glyne,
That product looks interesting. Will give that a go if 3 Counties does not sort the issue long term.

Jack

Yes I have got it in my camper as it look good but not needid to use it . I take it you watch the y tub clip

Hi Jack Good luck with your repair, please post the result.

Bobbyd,

Yes I will update the thread, but not until after Nov 26 as said above. :-)

Jack

If that is the shower-head supply pipe going up and retained in the clip,  then it is possible to access the rear by removing a narrow vertical panel outside and to the left of the hatch opening. I have been in there installing some awning cabling but I cannot visualize the layout precisely after several years.  It may be worth an exploratory look if you are considering DIY.
Keith

Hi Jack, 
I have not repaired that type of pannel but have repaired a worse crack in a motorcycle plastic fairing by plastic soldering, drill hole in the end of the crack to stop it running then using a soldering iron to melt sections of plastic, I used sections of a coat hanger, melt plastic in to cracks, lots of clips on you tube in relation to motorcycle fairing repairs using this method. It worked really well for me, hope you get it resolved.

Hi all,

Happy New Year (I hope :-)).

After three visits back to 3 Counties they have managed to make the van waterproof.  We have had very heavy rain recently (surprise!), after which we have driven the van and it has stayed dry.

3 Counties have resealed everything to do with the roof (windows skylights etc), and fair play to them for their perseverance, and their willingness to sort the problem which was quite bad to start with.

Now just looking forward to when things open back up and we can get on the road.

Regards

Jack

thanks for the update, well done 3 Counties. 
happy new year to you and yours, roll on 2021