Hole in tub

[mwells4654]

The bathtub in my 71 overlander has a 4 inch hole in the lower front corner. It is also splintering from the hole about 5 inches in various places. Can this be repaired or do I need to replace? If replacement is my only option, where can I purchase one?

[mwells4654]

Hum - No help with this problem either. I would sure like to replace the tub - anyone know of or suggest anything. Thought about removing the tub and just put in a shower. What does the forum think?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mwells4654

The bathtub in my 71 overlander has a 4 inch hole in the lower front corner. It is also splintering from the hole about 5 inches in various places. Can this be repaired or do I need to replace? If replacement is my only option, where can I purchase one?

The tub can easily be repaired with fiberglass and the gel coated.

But, the tub must be removed in order to do the work correctly.

New tubs don't exist..

You could try a salvage yard, but old tubs like your usually have become brittle, therefore you might buy one that is no better than the one you have.

Creating a shower, would be nice, but now you would need a shower pan. You could use one from a center bath, but, they are small.

Andy

[Wingeezer]

I'm not sure if the tub is plastic or fibreglass. The only thing I can think of is that you might be able to make it functional again with a fibreglass cloth & resin patch, but it won't be very practical to get it looking nice again. It might work for you until you can find a replacement though.

If you try it, I would extend the fibreglass cloth right out over the cracks and I would drill a small hole - probably 1/8" or less - at the end of each crack to hopefully stop the crack from growing further.

I would also clean and roughen the area you plan to cover to encourage adhesion.

You would probably need to apply several coats of resin, allowing the previous coat
to harden first.

The materials to try this won't cost much, and it isn't much use to you as it is anyway I imagine!

Good luck .......... Brian

[Jim Foster]

You might talk to someone who does fiberglass repair on older Corvettes, spas, or boats. They would be able to advise you, or perhaps do the repair at a reasonable cost.

In any event, the tub will have to be removed as the bulk of the repair should be done from the back side. You won't want a lump of material on the inside of the tub.

[kennethowens]

Auto-body fiberglass bondo is some mean stuff....not very pretty though.

Auto-body JB-weld for plastic aint no punk either.

It sounds like a gonner....so....seek a functional level of repair / or pull it out
and begin your quest.

[mwells4654]

The tub is plastic - do you still use fiberglass or should you use epoxy with the fiberglass matting fabric?

[kennethowens]

Epoxy can get brittle.

Your existing plastic is probably brittle...

Fiberglass is tough and can handle moisture/vibration very well.
For a 4 inch hole you will need a piece of plastic large enough
to cover the hole and bond it to the existing.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by kennethowens

Auto-body fiberglass bondo is some mean stuff....not very pretty though.

Auto-body JB-weld for plastic aint no punk either.

It sounds like a gonner....so....seek a functional level of repair / or pull it out
and begin your quest.

Use fiberglass.

Andy

[VIKING]

You could just cover the entire bottom of the tub so you don't end up with a nasty patch job. Use fiberglass and resin. If you are unsure about it, have a spa repair person look at it and/or do it for you. After repair it can be gel coated in place to give you that new look.

Best to you,
Rich the Viking

[mwells4654]

Thanks Everyone - time to get the rubber gloves and the fiberglass repair kit out.

[TG Twinkie]

I would recommend roughing up the area that you plan to cover so the resin you use has something to grab onto. The tub in my '74 is ABS plastic, I don't know how compatible the two materials will be. Good Luck

[VIKING]

Fiberglass is used to reinforce ABS plastics in the model airplane industry all of the time. Roughing it up is necessary but no other special treatment is needed.

Wear a respirator and keep a fan blowing fresh air when you work with fiberglass resin.
I posted an article on fiberglassing some time ago. If I can find it I'll re-post it here for your pleasure.

Rich the Viking

Found it... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...tml#post724817