Rooftop AC cover becoming fragile

[slc]

So I was up top of the GMC and scrubbing the roof down to remove the dirt and the organic like growth that starts to grow up there. This growth
starts out as a black spot and gets bigger, will actually look like a miniature volcano. The problem I found with this microbe is it actually eats
into the paint and when you scrape it away, you can see where the paint has been damaged.
So when i am by the AC, I put my hand on the cover by the top edge and I hear a crack sound. Looking at the plastic I can see a slight crack. The
cover is in the sun all day and that has appearantly taken a toll on the strength of the plastic media.
-- Does anyone know how to reinforce the cover to attempt a save? I don't have any broken pieces yet.
I was thinking that painting the outside of the AC cover white would help stay the heat damage but I don't know if epoxy with fiber cloth will stick
to this type of plastic. I need to do something even if using a roofing tape and taping along all the edges inside the cover to prevent it from
falling apart.
-- Anyone have any ideas or is replacement the only answer.

Thanks
s
--
GatsbysCruise. \
74GMC260 Former Glacier Model style. \
Located in Waukegan \ Keep those MiniDiscs Spinning \ MY GREYHOUND IS FASTER THAN YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT \ WindowsXP-Win7-Win8.1-UBUNTU STUDIO -
UBUNTU VOYAGER - Berzin Auto Center in Waukegan

 

[Ken B]

I did the same thing one time. I was up there and leaned on the cover and broke it badly. I was leaving the next day for Rapid City and Estes Park
for a few weeks so I got out the fiberglass tape. I have a roll of 2.5" wide of 80%/20% tape. I cleaned up the cover and glassed some of that tape
in place. That was about 12 years ago and it is fine. I probably ought to go up there and paint it some day but no one sees what is on top of the
coach.

Last fall I just did the same thing to three badly damaged Hammond vent covers on another coach I'm working on. I also did not paint them. I guess I
ought to.

So I suggest some fiber glass and some epoxy to fix it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[chris tyler]

Depending on what A/C you have, you would probably be better off with a new cover.

I have done the epoxy / FG repair when I was a tech. It requires a lot of prep , adds considerable weight, and outer cracks will still form

--
76 Glenbrook

 

[Keith V]

at least fix the cracks. Any crack will suck water into the coach, the waters surface tension just draws it in right through the crack!
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Chris Tyler
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 6:36 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rooftop AC cover becoming fragile

Depending on what A/C you have, you would probably be better off with a new cover.

I have done the epoxy / FG repair when I was a tech. It requires a lot of prep , adds considerable weight, and outer cracks will still form

--
76 Glenbrook

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[Jim Hupy]

When I first got my coach, when I opened up the roof box, it was 1/4 of the
way full of water. Traced it back to cracks in the lid. Removed the lid,
laid it on a work table, and got after the inside with an orbital sander
with 100 grit. Scuffed up the surface, and painted on some polyester resin
on the cracked areas, followed by fiberglass matte scraps, foam rollered to
remove air bubbles. 24 hour cure with infrared lamps. Strong, and no leaks.
I also scuffed the outside, filled the cracks with long n strong, a filled
polyester bondo like product. Sanded it, and painted it with Duplicolor
shake n shoot for plastic. Looked great last time I was up there a couple
of years ago.
Jim Hupy

> at least fix the cracks. Any crack will suck water into the coach, the
> waters surface tension just draws it in right through the crack!
> ________________________________
> From: Gmclist on behalf of Chris Tyler <
> dtyler11>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 6:36 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rooftop AC cover becoming fragile
>
> Depending on what A/C you have, you would probably be better off with a
> new cover.
>
> I have done the epoxy / FG repair when I was a tech. It requires a lot of
> prep , adds considerable weight, and outer cracks will still form
>
>
> --
> 76 Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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[eric brodersen]

I see you live in Waukegan. I have a cover from the original A/C unit. You
are welcome to have it. I'm on the NW side of Chicago.

--
Eric Brodersen
1976 Edgemonte
Chicago, IL

 

[john biwersi]

I have a decent Dometic cover in my stash located near St. Paul MN. Let me know if you are interested.