newbie needs help w/ 04 Fleetwood Sequoia

[dedhed]

I have what "appears" to be water damage on the left (driver's side of the TV) side of the camper. It is surrounding the cable hook up and not near any water source, which makes me question the cause of the damage. It looks like blisters, or bubbles- some of which have opened when touched and turned to dust- for lack of a better description.
Questions:
1. Has anyone seen this before- if so any suggestions?
2. I have seen the Eternabond tape for leaks- will this work?
3. HELP?!! (we've only been on one trip and I promised my wife this was not an issue)
Thanks in advance! Mark

[dedhed]

Any suggestions for repairing the side of a P/U??

[wernstriumph]

I have what "appears" to be water damage on the left (driver's side of the TV) side of the camper. It is surrounding the cable hook up and not near any water source, which makes me question the cause of the damage. It looks like blisters, or bubbles- some of which have opened when touched and turned to dust- for lack of a better description.
Questions:
1. Has anyone seen this before- if so any suggestions?
2. I have seen the Eternabond tape for leaks- will this work?
3. HELP?!! (we've only been on one trip and I promised my wife this was not an issue)
Thanks in advance! Mark

Hello, is the damage on the outside or the inside of the PUP?

[dedhed]

Hello, is the damage on the outside or the inside of the PUP?

Sorry, the damage is on the outside of the PU....about half way up when closed (in and around the striping)

[AustinBoston]

Does it appear to be just the paint or is there damage to the underlying siding material (I think aluminum)?

Austin

[wernstriumph]

It sounds like oxidation under the paint. Maybe when they installed the cable hookup the paint chipped a little. It only takes a little spot for oxidation to occur. You might want to remove the cable hookup and inspect. If it looks like that is where the problem started, you can take some 400 grit sandpaper and lightly sand it to remove any oxidationa and to feather  the paint a bit. Then apply some primer ( they do make some especially for painting aluminum) and then some touch up paint. When it's all dry, re-install the cable hookup and apply some silicone caulk around it. That should keep any water and air out. Hope this helped.

[dedhed]

I took some pictures of the damage. I think you were right on with the oxidation diagnosis. Let me know what you think...thanks.

[beacher]

I took some pictures of the damage. I think you were right on with the oxidation diagnosis. Let me know what you think...thanks.

That's unfortunate!  There was someone in 2005 with a relatively new 2004 Slide Out model GTE.  The the bottom of the aluminum panel on the slide out had disintegrated to white powder, (aluminum oxide).  That's the only other "disintegrating panel" damage I have heard of.

Thin aluminum will typically oxidize like that through a galvanic reaction when it comes into contact with a dissimilar metal.  It's possible that some steel scratched the siding of your PU and left behind some shavings during the impact.

[wernstriumph]

WOW! That's some serious oxidation. I'm not sure it could be fixed the way I said in my last post. If it were my camper here's what I would do.
First I'd cut out the area with the oxidation completely and clean the edges and paint them ( to avoid future corrosion). Then I would get some anodized aluminum diamondplate and fabricate a panel larger than the hole. Drill and poprivet the panel on with caulk behind it and around the seam. Some of the newer campers have diamondplate "stoneguards" on the front and back and even on the sides around filler necks and other places where the camper is more prone to scratches. That diamondplate is some tough stuff! Hope this helped.