That ceiling was done by a Curtain Coater machine in the factory, not the caravan factory. It is a form of plastic paint, that lifts if it is wet or extreme heat and humidity. The only suggestion I have for you is to use a heat gun, carefully to remove all the coating from that sheet, then repaint it. Their is no other solution. I used to operate a curtain coater back in past life. It is why I never would have another van that used curtain coated sheets as panels or ceilings, they are meant to be used on furniture only indoors( housing). It is a cheap cop out to use it in RV's
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Tuesday 1st of August 2023 03:59:11 PM
That ceiling was done by a Curtain Coater machine in the factory, not the caravan factory. It is a form of plastic paint, that lifts if it is wet or extreme heat and humidity. The only suggestion I have for you is to use a heat gun, carefully to remove all the coating from that sheet, then repaint it. Their is no other solution. I used to operate a curtain coater back in past life. It is why I never would have another van that used curtain coated sheets as panels or ceilings, they are meant to be used on furniture only indoors( housing). It is a cheap cop out to use it in RV's
What a detailed and comprehensive answer to Laurie's question. Well done.
Although I can't imagine that Laurie is ecstatic about the reply at least he now knows that there is no other remedy. Cheers
Yes yu can't even glue it back, it will always peel, as the cheap ply, MDF board or sheet particle board they use, wont really accept glue anymore, not to mention what you glue back shrinks when it next gets hot in there.
I am sold on new Chinese made vans, as most come in a form of lamipanel for interior linings, Aussie builders go the cheap and nasty route, and after you have paid good money for quality, this rubbish is what you end up with.
I think you are only looking at a cosmetic repair, but in fact, there is more to it than what you see, the water egress will have mould growing in the cavity between roof and ceiling.
Sure you cold replace the ceiling panel but that's not an easy job, I say this from first hand experience, as we had a leaking roof fixed what we assumed where the leak was from, fail.
Found the roof was leaking from two places. Trying the repair myself looked like a simple job removed the panel, found the almost non existent insulation and rotten timbers.
In hindsight I should have had it repaired under insurance, generally the roof needs to be removed to replace the ceiling panels.
Hi guys; We have a 2012 Jayco pop top caravan that we love and still have that caravan today. I installed solar panels fitted to the roof by me when the caravan new. I too found that after 7 years of ownership my roof had started to leak water and my roof when the same way as in Laurieoz's caravan. I also had the awning replaced as the material had started to get tiny holes in it due to the weather. I contacted my insurance company whome i have 6 policies with the RACT - Tasmania, we have our house, contents, 3 cars and of course our caravan with them. We put in a claim to get the caravan repaired under insurance, and guess what our claim was rejected. In the end we had to have 1/2 of the inside roof replaced and the mould removed. The roof resealed on the outside. A new awning roller and awning. The job took several weeks and just getting into the repairer was awkward as they were so busy. While they were at repairing the caravan, we also had the caravan fully serviced at the same time.
In the end the total cost was just over $4000.00 So not a cheap job and our caravan was just ready a few days before Christmas.
-- Edited by valiant81 on Wednesday 2nd of August 2023 11:03:15 AM
-- Edited by valiant81 on Wednesday 2nd of August 2023 11:04:11 AM
We put in a claim to get the caravan repaired under insurance, and guess what our claim was rejected.
No surprise at all. Insurance is for accidents not to cover maintenance. If the leaking had been caused by an incident, then you would probably have a case.
Laurie, Did this on a the roof of a friends van, OK until he sold it sometime later.
Scraped off the big flakes. Sprayed on undercoat, taped off where the flakes were and then about 15 coats of frig white in this area, removed the tape and then some coats over the entire area with a very light sand between some coats.
To add to Possum's suggestion, you could apply some Spakfilla or similar to where you have peeled the paint away and feather the edges. You would not need to introduce a ripple effect.
Note that a repair like this will make it look OK, but not the same as the rest of the ceiling. If you go to a specialist painting supplies you should be able to get good advice on getting the surface reasonably close to matching. Take a piece of the flaking paint and they will be able to precisely match the colour.
Be aware that there is a risk of the old paint flaking further over time. The earlier suggestions about completely removing the old paint would be a better way of doing it. It also depends on finding a satisfactory surface once you peel the flaked paint off.
Sorry if I offend anyone, with painting it your only fixing the visual problem.
Like I said before there could be mould growing between the ceiling and roof, for piece of mind buy a USB endoscope inspection camera, then drill a hole large enough to insert the camera into the cavity to check for any issues.
If its ok then hole repair would become part of the repair.
I have posted before - get a small moisture meter and go over the whole van - this
peeling and mold problem only becomes apparent when it's been wet for a considerable time
and the peeling begins.
I have gone over quite a few vans when camped and in conversation, and at least 8 out of 10
older vans show moisture intrusion, much to the owner's dismay.
In my own case I have done the coving of the roof with Eterna Tape (There's an alternative
at Bunnings) and have stopped all my problems - but be warned, unless you are careful
and patient the tape is gooey in the extreme and will test your patience!!!
I have repaired all my flaking ceiling/wall areas with textured paint over the whole area
so that joins would not show and being the world's fussiest 'vanner am very happy
with the result.
