Gel coat problems

[Johnnybgood]

The fifth wheel we are looking at has started having these little circles appear in the gel coat. They look like someone took a little punch and made these little circles in a group. There are more of them developing. They start as a flaky piece and when the piece comes off there are these circles. Are these what they call blisters? Are they a real problem?

[Veebyes]

Commonly known as 'boatpox'. A number of things can cause it including cold air temp at the time of laying up the part & poor quality resin used. They are tiny blisters & will show themselves in the first few years after manufacture.

The remedy is to grind them open, let them dry out thoroughly, fill, sand, seal & paint.

[DutchmenSport]

You didn't give the age, make or model of the camper. But if the gel coat is a darker color (like brown on the front cap), this is a very common occurrence with darker colored RV's. The really only TRUE solution to stop it from spreading, and to keep it from coming back is a re-paint and a reapply of the gel coat. Basically, it's the result of inferior paint used at the factory, and this happens simply because of age and an inferior paint. Repaints will use an automotive grade paint and will last long than the camper. It's the only TRUE solution.

Here's what happened to our, and we hadn't even own it 2 years yet.







After the repaint, this is what it looked like. It's now been 3 more years after the repaint, and the front cap looks a nice as the day we brought it home after the repaint:

[Dayle1]

Are they just in one area or all over the trailer? Are they all the same size? Could be buckshot damage. Otherwise I have seen blisters but they vary in size and shape, and they form under the dark decal areas due to higher temps, but not in the white areas.

There are plenty of other RVs available.

[jerseyjim]

Could be the gel-coat wasn't applied correctly at the factory. Or some kind of weather problem. Alot of things. I suggest you keep looking.

[TxGearhead]

Are you "looking at" to buy? Where are these blisters? Front cap?
Who presently owns it, dealer or individual?
I would ask the owner and depending on the answer probably look at something else.