Missing chunk of underbelly cover

[JayG7800]

After working on another maintenance project, I noticed there is a chunk missing of the underbelly in my wheel well area. The underbelly of this Puma XLE 30DBSC appears to be more of a thin structureless plastic sheet than chamoplast.

I'm curious how I should try to properly repair this - what materials will stick well, etc, as I worry about the tires splashing up water onto the exposed wood above.


Thanks!

[A32Deuce]

Gorilla tape.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Gorilla tape.

Ditto.

Black is available at Wally-World.

[JayG7800]

Thanks guys. I was thinking that same thing (gorilla tape) but came here first to make sure no one said "noooo don't do that!" haha

[SnJGuin]

I used a tape for my Puma XLE underbelly and would recommend it. Here is the Amazon link to the tape and a picture of what I patched.

Mobile Home RV Flex Mend Belly... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017UNKBBC...p_mob_ap_share

[007matman]

I have a roll of Black and a roll of White as well as a few assorted pieces of Eternabond in my camper at all times.

White is great for small awning tears or to quick patch leaking seam/seal or window. It can be removed later and cleaned up (unlike Eternabond).

[chaps2018]

Just a point of reference-eternabond is removable. Don’t ask how I know....I found acetone works well.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AGiKusd5r8A

There is also a product called scrimshield (Amazon) that is a super adhesive vapor barrier. It is designed for sealing out water under the trailer

[007matman]

Interesting. I guess I'd always heard it wasn't removable.

I know that Acetone works on my Fiberglass but plastic is another story.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by 007matman

I have a roll of Black and a roll of White as well as a few assorted pieces of Eternabond in my camper at all times.

White is great for small awning tears or to quick patch leaking seam/seal or window. It can be removed later and cleaned up (unlike Eternabond).

Eternabond removes and cleans easily. I just finished removing 8' x 4" of it.

You need a heat gun, a dull scraper/putty knife. a cardboard box, some rags, mineral spirits, and alcohol.

Heat the a few inches of tape and gently scrape it off. (If you like, you can grasp the vinyl backing and peel it off.) Scrape the adhesive off the scraper onto the rim of the cardboard box.

When you have all the vinyl off and the bulk of the adhesive, take a second pass with the heat gun and scraper.

Scrub the remaining adhesive off using rags and mineral spirits. The EPDM roof will be clean, but it will feel a little "oily." Do a quick wipe with Isopropyl alcohol (cheap rubbing alcohol from the drugstore). Thanks to RSData who recommended the alcohol wipe after cleaning with spririts.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by chaps2018

Just a point of reference-eternabond is removable. Don’t ask how I know....I found acetone works well.

There is also a product called scrimshield (Amazon) that is a super adhesive vapor barrier. It is designed for sealing out water under the trailer

I would not use acetone. It quickly eats paint and is not approved for EPDM roofs.

Use mineral spirits which is approved for EPDM roof.

(This weekend I had a gallon of acetone but no spirits. I drove 20 miles to get some, rather than use acetone on an EPDM roof.)

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Eternabond removes and cleans easily. I just finished removing 8' x 4" of it.



You need a heat gun, a dull scraper/putty knife. a cardboard box, some rags, mineral spirits, and alcohol.



Heat the a few inches of tape and gently scrape it off. (If you like, you can grasp the vinyl backing and peel it off.) Scrape the adhesive off the scraper onto the rim of the cardboard box.



When you have all the vinyl off and the bulk of the adhesive, take a second pass with the heat gun and scraper.



Scrub the remaining adhesive off using rags and mineral spirits. The EPDM roof will be clean, but it will feel a little "oily." Do a quick wipe with Isopropyl alcohol (cheap rubbing alcohol from the drugstore). Thanks to RSData who recommended the alcohol wipe after cleaning with spririts.

Interesting.. I'll give it a shot. Thank you!

[chaps2018]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

I would not use acetone. It quickly eats paint and is not approved for EPDM roofs.



Use mineral spirits which is approved for EPDM roof.

Oh man I would much rather use mineral spirits. It removes the eternabond adhesive much easier than acetone. Nowhere can I find a reference on eternabond’s website for using mineral spirits.

My reference on acetone is from eternabond website.

https://www.eternabond.com/articles.asp?id=165

https://www.eternabond.com/articles.asp?id=140

Thanks for continuing this discussion. I had been doing these repairs over the past few weeks.